James Bettcher is getting his "money back."
The Giants on Tuesday signed 27-year-old free agent linebacker Deone Bucannon, a former first-round pick of the Cardinals, to help improv a soft middle of their defense. Bucannon played for Bettcher in Arizona in his effective schemes there and was the original “money backer,” a run-and-cover player who is a sleek hybrid of a linebacker and defensive back.
The Giants have struggled to fill that role in the defense coordinator's system this season. They began the year with Tae Davis, but he was ineffective. They moved Alec Ogletree to it alongside rookie Ryan Connelly, but both wound up injured.