For Mathias Kiwanuka, patience is more than a virtue

By Anthony Carroll  |   Monday, May 22, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
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Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka had to be excited when a team traded up to grab him in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

However, when he found out that team was the New York Giants, his excitement level may have dropped a bit.

In 2005, the Giants controlled ownership of two of the most dominant defensive ends in the game. On one end of the defensive facade was 13-year veteran, Michael Strahan, who tallied 11.5 sacks last season along with a career-high 81 tackles. On the other end was three-year man, Osi Umenyiora, who added another 14.5 sacks and 70 tackles to the stat book. Together, the defensive bookends helped guide the NY Giants defense to an 11-5 campaign and gain control over the high-powered NFC East.

Along with both Pro Bowl ends, New York also recently drafted a potentially high-caliber end in Justin Tuck. Tuck was selected in the early third round of the 2005 draft out of Notre Dame. Last season, the 268-pound rookie saw limited action on the line, as both starters were consistently dominant up front. As a result, Tuck ended the regular season with just 31 tackles and a single sack.

However, the New York Giants' front office isn't apprehensive about Tuck's future. In three years on the collegiate level, one in which he played at outside linebacker, Tuck racked up 24.5 sacks and 164 tackles, 43 of which were behind the line of scrimmage. In 2003, Tuck's 13.5 sack-season raised the bar on Notre Dame's single-season sack record.

So where does that leave Mathias Kiwanuka?

As a rookie making his way in the NFL, it doesn't matter to him: "I'm going to push myself regardless. My number one goal is to get out there and play. Nobody wants to be sitting on the sidelines, but, if that's what happens, then I will just take it as it comes."

After completing a redshirted 2001 season, and a two-start 2002 campaign at Boston College, Kiwanuka shined as a sophomore. He started all 13 games and racked up 13 sacks and 83 tackles, 16 of which were for a loss. In 2004, he recorded another double-digit sack season with 11.5, along with chipping in for an additional 67 tackles and two interceptions. Finally, in his senior season, Kiwanuka's numbers dropped slightly; he hoarded another 9.5 sacks and 51 tackles to his college stat book.

When the Giants took over the Pittsburgh Steelers' 32nd-overall draft pick to grab 6-5, 266-pound Mathias Kiwanuka, many heads outside of the organization were scratched.

Yet, general manager Ernie Accorsi had his mind set and kept his head straight. "We won here in the 1980s because of the pass rush. You can cover up a lot of mistakes if you can put pressure on the passer. We drafted Kiwanuka, and we would not have picked him unless he can get on the field. With two defensive Pro Bowl ends, Tuck, and Arrington, we really have some pass-rushers on there now. I'm a believer that that's the key element on your defense."

Nevertheless, until the Pro Bowlers step aside, patience isn't just a virtue, but a necessity for Mathias Kiwanuka.

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com

• Get more on Mathias Kiwanuka at Realfootball365.com
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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