Arrington could make New York’s defense “Giant”

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, April 24, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
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On Saturday, the New York Giants bolstered their defense by signing free agent linebacker LaVar Arrington a to a seven-year, $49 million deal. Much of the contract Arrington signed focuses on incentives, but there is $11 million in guaranteed money.

The former No. 2 pick in the 2000 draft, Arrington spent the first six seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins, earning three Pro Bowl trips. In 79 career games played as the anchor of the Redskins' defense, Arrington made 318 tackles, while accumulating 22.5 sacks and 31 pass-deflections.

The Giants came into this offseason with the linebacker position as one of their biggest concerns, and the Arrington signing certainly takes care of that. During last year's playoffs the Giants were calling in street free agents to contribute at outside linebacker, which ended up being one of the major factors in their humiliating 23-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in January's NFC Wild Card round.

With Arrington now in the fold as their weak side linebacker, the Giants bring two of the league's better linebackers-Antonio Pierce is the other.

Last offseason, the Giants brought in Pierce, a middle linebacker and Arrington's former Redskins teammate. The 27-year-old certainly didn't disappoint in his inaugural campaign with the Giants, as he posted 79 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions. With Arrington by his side, Pierce should have a chance to post much better numbers next season.

At the strong side linebacker position, the starting position seems much less clear. Based on performance the favorite to start should be 32-year-old Carlos Emmons, but he and the Giants have had a capricious relationship since he was placed on the injured reserve list prior to the playoffs. Emmons believed he was healthy enough to start against the Panthers in the Giants' beleaguered linebacking corps, but head coach Tom Coughlin saw differently. With that volatility still in the fold in Emmons' mind, don't be surprised if he ends up as a training camp or preseason casualty this summer.

In the event that Emmons doesn't win that job, look for Reggie Torbor and Brandon Short to get a shot at it.

In 30 career games, the 25-year-old Torbor has posted 77 tackles, three sacks and one interception. Thus, he hasn't exactly been a playmaker in his two-year career, but don't automatically rule him out of the starting job. Had the New York Giants not "alienated" Emmons, he would be the clear cut favorite over Torbor because he's much better, but it's not necessarily the case now.

The last possibility to start on the strong side is the 28-year-old Short. One of the Giants' better defenders for the first four years of his career, Short went to Carolina for the last two and performed decently in a mostly reserve role. He has 341 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his career, so he's far more proven than Torbor, and seems like the best option if the competition comes down to the two of them.

Provided Arrington can stay healthy next season, the Giants' defense--which wasn't impressive last season--might become one of the best in the league. Along with the 27-year-old $49 million man, the Giants bring defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, and Pierce to their front seven.

The team also bolstered their secondary this offseason by signing veterans Sam Madison, R.W. McQuarters and Will Demps.

With the Arrington signing, it appears the Giants can shift their first-round draft focus to their biggest need, the defensive tackle position. As it stands right now, New York's starting defensive tackle duo is Fred Robbins and William Joseph--which would make for disaster next season. Believe it or not, the Giants' best bet might be to trade out of the first-round because John McCargo of NC State, Gabe Watson of Michigan and Orien Harris are all reaches with the No. 25 pick at the DT position. If GM Ernie Accorsi can gain another second-rounder in a trade down, he should pull the trigger.

In 2005, the New York Giants were clearly on the rise in the NFC. By doing such a tremendous job this offseason, Accorsi seems to have them ready for a run at even better things in 2006.

--Connor Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com
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