The linebacker position is always something of a sore spot among New York Giants fans. But for the first time in a while there is something akin to optimism — or at least satisfaction — with the Giants’ linebackers.
Starting middle linebacker Blake Martinez lived up to his billing as a tackling machine in his first year with the team. His football IQ helped get the rest of the defensive front in place and allowed him to flow to the play, while his tackling acumen let him get ball carriers to the ground and generally clean up after the Giants’ stout defensive line.