by Jim Sabo of Ourlads.  

"I think they under-achieved. I think the talent was there," Sabo said. "Now whether it was all the injuries or whether it was Super Bowl flu or whether it was these guys just not listening anymore, tuning people out. I don't know what it was, but they should have been better."

Great stuff.  I would like to highlight some of his comments in blue, and then follow up with my own:

"I think they'd like to rid themselves of [Webster's] contract. That would be the wise thing to do." -- I fully agree with this comment on Webster.  Webster is no longer an adequate starting CB and since he has so much money coming to him in 2013, the decision to release him is pretty obvious.

"Whether you give [Tuck] another year or not I don't know. He's just done nothing the last couple of years. I don't know if Tuck's part of the future or not. I really don't." -- I fully agree with this comment on Tuck.  I also don't know what the Giants should do with him!  On the one hand, maybe they should bring him back for one more year for his leadership.  On the other hand, he no longer gets to the QB and so isn't worth very much and thus releasing him would seem to be the sensible thing to do.  However, Tuck still plays the run pretty well, and so maybe the Giants could ask him to take a pay cut, but I don't know if Tuck would appreciate that.

"I don't see them bringing [Phillips] back with the injuries. There's always something going on with him. I definitely don't see him back." -- I disagree with this comment on Kenny Phillips.  The injuries are disappointing, but they should also lower his free agent market value.  As such, I think the Giants can bring him back at a reasonable cost.  Why should they bring him back?  The Giants had the second worst pass defense in the NFL, and pass defense is Kenny Phillips' strength.  So, by getting rid of Phillips, the Giants would weaken what is already a major weakness on the defense.  I consider Phillips a high priority resigning.

"Boley started off OK, three picks in the first three games. But, boy, he's been missing in action the rest of the time. I can see him being a guy that needs to go."-- I am pretty confident that Boley will not be back for the final year of his contract.  Boley's run defense was a total disaster in 2012.

"I'd love to see Chase Blackburn be a backup linebacker, play some special teams. I like his heart, I like his desire, good teammate, all of that.  But, he should not be a starting middle linebacker," Sabo said.  "Really limited athletically, and it shows. They have nothing going up the middle to stop the run. The D-tackles are not keeping blockers off those guys, and he can't handle it. He's not strong enough or he's not athletic enough to do the job in there." -- The Chase Blackburn supporters of this forum should read this comment again and again.  As I have stated elsewhere, Chase Blackburn was a huge problem for the Giants defense this year.  He was brutal in run defense AND pass defense.  He isn't a legitimate starter; he is a street linebacker.  I would never bring him back.  Going with Chase Blackburn at MLB is kind of like going with Tim Tebow at QB.  The Giants--Fewell, Coughlin and Reese--made a huge error in judgment and it cannot happen again.

"I thought [Herzlich] would have replaced Blackburn early in the year. Obviously he's not getting it done, either," Sabo said. "Great story, decent special teams guy, but I don't see him as a starter." -- I sometimes wonder if this guy is on the team only because of the "story" that surrounds him.  Coming from Boston College helps as well.  The "story" is nice, but he hasn't shown very much on the football field.

"Canty's a good guy. I like him, he tries hard, plays with fire but he's another injury guy and I'm worried about him. He's getting up in age, missing time. -- I agree with his comments on Canty.  I think Canty will be released.  He takes up significant cap space in 2013 and isn't worth it.

"Marvin Austin is a zero. He's either hurt or can't play, he's just a huge disappointment." -- I'm not sure if these comments on Austin are fair.  Austin didn't get much opportunity to show what he can do.  This might be another example of Coughlin holding down the progress of a young player.  As we know, Coughlin has a tendency to do that.

While I agree with most of what Sabo had to say about the Giants defense, I was disappointed that he didn't identify Rolle's pass defense as a problem for the Giants.  Throughout the year, there were many instances of Rolle blowing coverages and giving up big plays.  The Mike Wallace TD was one such example, and it cost the Giants the win.  Overall, the inability to stop the run and giving up big plays (pass plays over 20 yards) were huge problems for the Giants dreadful 2012 defense.

I have never read of anyone here extolling the virtues of Chase Blackburn to an unreasonable extent ,sometimes rather than beat a dead horse we have to examine the obvious.On our current roster we had no one capable of beating out Blackburn for playing time.The Herzlich experiment looked awful and injuries decimated the remainder of the lb core.Blackburn is a off the street linebacker who has played better than expected in the capacity and made one of the key plays in the last Super Bowl run.
What really seems to be a problem is demeaning the effort and heart Blackburn displays and downplaying his effort on the field.Fingerpointing and negativity does not show any creative effort when its quite obvious that there was no other player in uniform who could do a better job .

chiller99 wrote: I have never read of anyone here extolling the virtues of Chase Blackburn to an unreasonable extent ,sometimes rather than beat a dead horse we have to examine the obvious.On our current roster we had no one capable of beating out Blackburn for playing time.The Herzlich experiment looked awful and injuries decimated the remainder of the lb core.Blackburn is a off the street linebacker who has played better than expected in the capacity and made one of the key plays in the last Super Bowl run.
What really seems to be a problem is demeaning the effort and heart Blackburn displays and downplaying his effort on the field.Fingerpointing and negativity does not show any creative effort when its quite obvious that there was no other player in uniform who could do a better job .

Agreed but that does not mean he is our answer at MLB when the middle of our defense was so porous this season.  We definitely need to upgrade all of our LB positions either through FA or the draft.  If Chase is the last guy standing at MLB then so be it.

Nowhere did I say he was the answer,and you did note that,but I saw a lot of balls sailing over Brown and Websters heads because of miscommunication.My point is dont degrade a back up doing better than you would expect ,especially one who never lacks effort

I am more disappointed with our DTs than I am with Chase when it comes to defending runs up the middle.  Too often the entire DL was pushed 3-5 yards downfield.  I strongly suspect that they expected Herzlich to take over.  While I fully agree that Blackburn should be a backup/situational type player, the fact remains that he had to be called back in 2011 and no one could do better in 2012.  

As far as degrading Chase, I did not read Sage's post that way.  He and others are simply saying what the situation is.  We absolutely need better performance from the middle of the defense.  In my opinion, that starts with the DTs and having a better than average MLB would really make a significant difference.

Gordon and Sage,,I had no intention of singling out anyone in general and I didnt quote them or direct any comments at anyone in particular.Perhaps I can make my point clearer.In a recent poll Giant fans voted Chase the lb they would most like to keep by ao overwhelming majority.We fans have to both appreciate and rate him for what he is,a marginal talent ,who came out of the classroom to help the team in a Super Bowl run.Chase rates out poorly ,but not in intangibles,heart and hustle,honestly he cannot be compared to other starters in the league.My point is appreciate him over achieving as a back up in a starters role rather than compare him as a starter.

chiller99 wrote: Gordon and Sage,,I had no intention of singling out anyone in general and I didnt quote them or direct any comments at anyone in particular.Perhaps I can make my point clearer.In a recent poll Giant fans voted Chase the lb they would most like to keep by ao overwhelming majority.We fans have to both appreciate and rate him for what he is,a marginal talent ,who came out of the classroom to help the team in a Super Bowl run.Chase rates out poorly ,but not in intangibles,heart and hustle,honestly he cannot be compared to other starters in the league.My point is appreciate him over achieving as a back up in a starters role rather than compare him as a starter.

+1 I think Blackburn should be resigned for slightly over the veterans' minimum .I see his role as being a special teams leader (remember, he went to the Pro Bowl as a special teams player), and a less-than-ideal, but serviceable backup at the Mike and Sam positions. Sort of like the roles the Andrews brothers had on the OL several seasons ago.

Yeah......this guy didn't pull any punches....heheheh.   


I think going into this off-season and looking at 2013, I hope the Giants get away from this flex-DL/LB nonsense.   I get it.....they want to have as many versatile players as possible......but I think it reduces the effectiveness....and maybe the careers....of our most impactful guys.   

Tuck is the least expensive of the players which have been on the decline/injured....so I could see him making it into another season as maybe a backup DE to Kiwi.    I like Canty....but he is injury prone and chews up a lot of cap space.   I think Joseph is ok.....but not great at DT.   I hope we sign somebody impactful at DT.....and we keep the DEs at DE and the DTs at DT.   Hopefully Tracy and Trattaou see more action next year, too.....along with maybe Ojomo.   I still don't understand why we let Hendricks go at DT.....all that guy did was bring it every down....got decent coaching accolades....then got let go for Kuhn.  

I also hope we get away from the project LBs and bring in some more athletic LBs that would likely better fit the PF system.   Paysinger and Herzy can provide depth and decent special teams play.....but we have to stop this crap with Kiwi at LB.  


The good news in the secondary is we have a lot of potential answers at Safety.   The issue is we need to re-stock a little at CB.   I don't disagree that WEbster could be better served at the S position.....but I don't think it will be with us.    I actually could see TT get moved into that role.    I could actually see us keep KP and get rid of Antrel.    Antrel is not good in this system.    Frankly.....he's not good in coverage....and he will just continue to be beaten up in this system.  


The good news is......we do have ways of addressing this in the offseason as most of the guys we can cut won't create much dead money.    So we have a little flexibility. 

I don't see how anyone can say Tuck has done nothing thje past two years.  This year, he was definitely a non-factor and I firmly believe he reinjured his shoulder on opening night and never recovered.  Last year he was injured for a good part of the year, but down the strretch he was a force -- I don't think they would have gone to the Super Bowl without his play in the last six games. 

When Tuck is TUCK -- we are a different team.  That said, does he have any miles left?  Valid question.   I'd keep him and see what he's got.

Defense starts at the line of scrimmage. In 2011 that was a huge strength. In 2012 it was a weakness. Age, injuries, contract situations and superbowl hangover/complacency all played some part but 2012 wasn't a blip in my view.

DL will look different in 2012 with maybe only JPP of the current crew a sure fire starter. It looks like Kiwi may be the other end with Tuck in the Osi rotational rule. DT is a huge ????????? as we keep drafting high but have yet to find the dominant interior run stuffer and pocket crusher that we need.

With holes on the OL, LB, CB for starters I have no idea where we begin in the draft and free agency. I think we could struggle again next year on D with perhaps 4-5 new starters in the mix impacting on what has been a strength for us...continuity.

Sage & community

thanks for the info.

performance x earning = decision

good evaluation with all players and I cant disagree based on the performances

a few observations from this armchair NYG fan

Austin - I posted earlier in the year he looked like King Ceasar vs Mechagodzilla in "terror of mechagodzilla" check out the movie and tell me what ya think? King Ceasar was tossed around like a rag doll (austin) by mechagodzilla (any nfl g or c)

Canty - had a few huge moments and games, but mostly and sadly invisible during big key runs. thought he would be the key to all the troubles on the D line and I was wrong. I cant see mr Canty staying...

Tuck - mr Tuck has been hurting bad. its obvious in his play and I am not making excuses. a solid player vs the run still, as you mentioned Sage, and thats why I think he stays another year.

Webster - the time has probably come for a replacement, who is a Jaguar now? sigh....

Blackburn - heart and determination only get you so far. a step or 2 slow now kills you with RGknee types. I think that LB'er, above all positions on D, should be addressed and overhauled. Giants need fast and strong run-down types. If only a Byron Hunt or Andy Headon were avaialble now (LT & Banks backups!)...this was clearly one of the weakest positions on D (Boley/Rivers) and it was apparent with all the rushing totals given up.

Phillips - I have no idea how he can still fucntion with the legs as hurt as they are. If he wasnt 1-2 steps behind, he will be.....


Brown - ok, here is the dilema I face fellow fans. Is Stevie Brown as good as his 8 Ints? or is he one of the weaknesses that were exploited over and over again on the deep balls? One can recall Percy Ellsworth, a 1990's NYG FS who could not tackle or cover well but made interceptions. The jury is still out on Stevie Brown for this NYG fan....

JPP - if only. I say "if only" due to the strange use of this monster. Why he was not moved around as a "rover" to exploit the weakest offensive lineman he was facing, I cant answer. in 2011 Mr fewell would line up JPP over the C, over either G or either T, depending on the situation. That disappeared this year for some reason. only mr fewell can answer as to why he was not utilized like in the past.

Osi - I have been mentioning him for his lack of run defense since 2008/2009 timeframe, but this year he really showed why he is now a one dimensional player. If anything he is gone, however, he could have been used much better imo as a stand up rusher at certain times.

Kiwi - solid in both phases. I was amazed RGknee ran away from him so easily but then I must remember he is a 7 yr veteran now and not the speed merchant he was between 2006-2010.

Joseph - invisible most games. a big disappointment to me. We can only hope this year was not the normal type of year he will display in the future.

Let me get this right the talent was there ? then a literary of players who didn't preform  and they include most of those we know were washed up or on the edge of being washed up .
The talent ? Tuck and Osi one playing like he was already retired and the other playing like he was already departed.
The linebackers not one of them better than average at best, The safeties and D backs  one princely rose does not make a garden.
SB winners having a hangover next season isn't unusual, however the Giants were bad defensivly 2011 and 12 , if that doesn't get fixed we may not catch lighting in a bottle for a long time in the future.
The Offense made need tweaking, Eli certainly has to play better the defense may need a major overhaul and perhaps a new coach.
Playing hard in all 16 games would be a Giant step in the right direction, take your vacations after the season not during it.

callmeSage wrote: Great stuff.  I would like to highlight some of his comments in blue, and then follow up with my own:

"I think they'd like to rid themselves of [Webster's] contract. That would be the wise thing to do." -- I fully agree with this comment on Webster.  Webster is no longer an adequate starting CB and since he has so much money coming to him in 2013, the decision to release him is pretty obvious.

"Whether you give [Tuck] another year or not I don't know. He's just done nothing the last couple of years. I don't know if Tuck's part of the future or not. I really don't." -- I fully agree with this comment on Tuck.  I also don't know what the Giants should do with him!  On the one hand, maybe they should bring him back for one more year for his leadership.  On the other hand, he no longer gets to the QB and so isn't worth very much and thus releasing him would seem to be the sensible thing to do.  However, Tuck still plays the run pretty well, and so maybe the Giants could ask him to take a pay cut, but I don't know if Tuck would appreciate that.

"I don't see them bringing [Phillips] back with the injuries. There's always something going on with him. I definitely don't see him back." -- I disagree with this comment on Kenny Phillips.  The injuries are disappointing, but they should also lower his free agent market value.  As such, I think the Giants can bring him back at a reasonable cost.  Why should they bring him back?  The Giants had the second worst pass defense in the NFL, and pass defense is Kenny Phillips' strength.  So, by getting rid of Phillips, the Giants would weaken what is already a major weakness on the defense.  I consider Phillips a high priority resigning.

"Boley started off OK, three picks in the first three games. But, boy, he's been missing in action the rest of the time. I can see him being a guy that needs to go."-- I am pretty confident that Boley will not be back for the final year of his contract.  Boley's run defense was a total disaster in 2012.

"I'd love to see Chase Blackburn be a backup linebacker, play some special teams. I like his heart, I like his desire, good teammate, all of that.  But, he should not be a starting middle linebacker," Sabo said.  "Really limited athletically, and it shows. They have nothing going up the middle to stop the run. The D-tackles are not keeping blockers off those guys, and he can't handle it. He's not strong enough or he's not athletic enough to do the job in there." -- The Chase Blackburn supporters of this forum should read this comment again and again.  As I have stated elsewhere, Chase Blackburn was a huge problem for the Giants defense this year.  He was brutal in run defense AND pass defense.  He isn't a legitimate starter; he is a street linebacker.  I would never bring him back.  Going with Chase Blackburn at MLB is kind of like going with Tim Tebow at QB.  The Giants--Fewell, Coughlin and Reese--made a huge error in judgment and it cannot happen again.

"I thought [Herzlich] would have replaced Blackburn early in the year. Obviously he's not getting it done, either," Sabo said. "Great story, decent special teams guy, but I don't see him as a starter." -- I sometimes wonder if this guy is on the team only because of the "story" that surrounds him.  Coming from Boston College helps as well.  The "story" is nice, but he hasn't shown very much on the football field.

"Canty's a good guy. I like him, he tries hard, plays with fire but he's another injury guy and I'm worried about him. He's getting up in age, missing time. -- I agree with his comments on Canty.  I think Canty will be released.  He takes up significant cap space in 2013 and isn't worth it.

"Marvin Austin is a zero. He's either hurt or can't play, he's just a huge disappointment." -- I'm not sure if these comments on Austin are fair.  Austin didn't get much opportunity to show what he can do.  This might be another example of Coughlin holding down the progress of a young player.  As we know, Coughlin has a tendency to do that.

While I agree with most of what Sabo had to say about the Giants defense, I was disappointed that he didn't identify Rolle's pass defense as a problem for the Giants.  Throughout the year, there were many instances of Rolle blowing coverages and giving up big plays.  The Mike Wallace TD was one such example, and it cost the Giants the win.  Overall, the inability to stop the run and giving up big plays (pass plays over 20 yards) were huge problems for the Giants dreadful 2012 defense.

I like what the guy said in the article, because he is a professional scout.  Not an armchair gm like all of us, but an actual scout.  His words hold weight.  I agree with him on most comments outside of Kenny Phillips and maybe Boley. 

Sage was right in saying that the Giants should bring Phillips back.  Yes he has the knee issue.  But after missing a season and taking another one to get back into form (as that is usually how long it takes for a person with microfracture to get back to how they were previously playing), Phillips was looking good before he went down with a knee injury (which wasn't cased by the microfacture, it was a freak accident when trying to tackle someone and his knee twisted badly, it could happen to anyone in the NFL so I say don't blame Phillips for it).  I say give him a TT type deal to prove that he can get through the season without injury.  Unless some stupid team overbids, Phillips doesn't really have much leverage with his injury history.

TheShade wrote:

callmeSage wrote: Great stuff.  I would like to highlight some of his comments in blue, and then follow up with my own:

"I think they'd like to rid themselves of [Webster's] contract. That would be the wise thing to do." -- I fully agree with this comment on Webster.  Webster is no longer an adequate starting CB and since he has so much money coming to him in 2013, the decision to release him is pretty obvious.

"Whether you give [Tuck] another year or not I don't know. He's just done nothing the last couple of years. I don't know if Tuck's part of the future or not. I really don't." -- I fully agree with this comment on Tuck.  I also don't know what the Giants should do with him!  On the one hand, maybe they should bring him back for one more year for his leadership.  On the other hand, he no longer gets to the QB and so isn't worth very much and thus releasing him would seem to be the sensible thing to do.  However, Tuck still plays the run pretty well, and so maybe the Giants could ask him to take a pay cut, but I don't know if Tuck would appreciate that.

"I don't see them bringing [Phillips] back with the injuries. There's always something going on with him. I definitely don't see him back." -- I disagree with this comment on Kenny Phillips.  The injuries are disappointing, but they should also lower his free agent market value.  As such, I think the Giants can bring him back at a reasonable cost.  Why should they bring him back?  The Giants had the second worst pass defense in the NFL, and pass defense is Kenny Phillips' strength.  So, by getting rid of Phillips, the Giants would weaken what is already a major weakness on the defense.  I consider Phillips a high priority resigning.

"Boley started off OK, three picks in the first three games. But, boy, he's been missing in action the rest of the time. I can see him being a guy that needs to go."-- I am pretty confident that Boley will not be back for the final year of his contract.  Boley's run defense was a total disaster in 2012.

"I'd love to see Chase Blackburn be a backup linebacker, play some special teams. I like his heart, I like his desire, good teammate, all of that.  But, he should not be a starting middle linebacker," Sabo said.  "Really limited athletically, and it shows. They have nothing going up the middle to stop the run. The D-tackles are not keeping blockers off those guys, and he can't handle it. He's not strong enough or he's not athletic enough to do the job in there." -- The Chase Blackburn supporters of this forum should read this comment again and again.  As I have stated elsewhere, Chase Blackburn was a huge problem for the Giants defense this year.  He was brutal in run defense AND pass defense.  He isn't a legitimate starter; he is a street linebacker.  I would never bring him back.  Going with Chase Blackburn at MLB is kind of like going with Tim Tebow at QB.  The Giants--Fewell, Coughlin and Reese--made a huge error in judgment and it cannot happen again.

"I thought [Herzlich] would have replaced Blackburn early in the year. Obviously he's not getting it done, either," Sabo said. "Great story, decent special teams guy, but I don't see him as a starter." -- I sometimes wonder if this guy is on the team only because of the "story" that surrounds him.  Coming from Boston College helps as well.  The "story" is nice, but he hasn't shown very much on the football field.

"Canty's a good guy. I like him, he tries hard, plays with fire but he's another injury guy and I'm worried about him. He's getting up in age, missing time. -- I agree with his comments on Canty.  I think Canty will be released.  He takes up significant cap space in 2013 and isn't worth it.

"Marvin Austin is a zero. He's either hurt or can't play, he's just a huge disappointment." -- I'm not sure if these comments on Austin are fair.  Austin didn't get much opportunity to show what he can do.  This might be another example of Coughlin holding down the progress of a young player.  As we know, Coughlin has a tendency to do that.

While I agree with most of what Sabo had to say about the Giants defense, I was disappointed that he didn't identify Rolle's pass defense as a problem for the Giants.  Throughout the year, there were many instances of Rolle blowing coverages and giving up big plays.  The Mike Wallace TD was one such example, and it cost the Giants the win.  Overall, the inability to stop the run and giving up big plays (pass plays over 20 yards) were huge problems for the Giants dreadful 2012 defense.

I like what the guy said in the article, because he is a professional scout.  Not an armchair gm like all of us, but an actual scout.  His words hold weight.  I agree with him on most comments outside of Kenny Phillips and maybe Boley. 

Sage was right in saying that the Giants should bring Phillips back.  Yes he has the knee issue.  But after missing a season and taking another one to get back into form (as that is usually how long it takes for a person with microfracture to get back to how they were previously playing), Phillips was looking good before he went down with a knee injury (which wasn't cased by the microfacture, it was a freak accident when trying to tackle someone and his knee twisted badly, it could happen to anyone in the NFL so I say don't blame Phillips for it).  I say give him a TT type deal to prove that he can get through the season without injury.  Unless some stupid team overbids, Phillips doesn't really have much leverage with his injury history.

OK he's a scout and in your opinion he rules  but then you go to give your armchair GM comments.
What you basically wind up saying is if you agree with someone they're right but if you don't then they're a armchair GM?  a double standard by anyone's yardstick.
Not only do you go on to be armchair GM but you do it in grandstand style, strange days indeed.
What would be the point of having a Giants board to have our own opinions,  if everyone could only echo a scouts opinion., or wait to see if you give your stamp of approval, me thinks you think you are above the fray, not so, as the song says "you're just another brick in the wall". Just like the rest of us GM wannabe's.

yank5k wrote:

TheShade wrote:

callmeSage wrote: Great stuff.  I would like to highlight some of his comments in blue, and then follow up with my own:

"I think they'd like to rid themselves of [Webster's] contract. That would be the wise thing to do." -- I fully agree with this comment on Webster.  Webster is no longer an adequate starting CB and since he has so much money coming to him in 2013, the decision to release him is pretty obvious.

"Whether you give [Tuck] another year or not I don't know. He's just done nothing the last couple of years. I don't know if Tuck's part of the future or not. I really don't." -- I fully agree with this comment on Tuck.  I also don't know what the Giants should do with him!  On the one hand, maybe they should bring him back for one more year for his leadership.  On the other hand, he no longer gets to the QB and so isn't worth very much and thus releasing him would seem to be the sensible thing to do.  However, Tuck still plays the run pretty well, and so maybe the Giants could ask him to take a pay cut, but I don't know if Tuck would appreciate that.

"I don't see them bringing [Phillips] back with the injuries. There's always something going on with him. I definitely don't see him back." -- I disagree with this comment on Kenny Phillips.  The injuries are disappointing, but they should also lower his free agent market value.  As such, I think the Giants can bring him back at a reasonable cost.  Why should they bring him back?  The Giants had the second worst pass defense in the NFL, and pass defense is Kenny Phillips' strength.  So, by getting rid of Phillips, the Giants would weaken what is already a major weakness on the defense.  I consider Phillips a high priority resigning.

"Boley started off OK, three picks in the first three games. But, boy, he's been missing in action the rest of the time. I can see him being a guy that needs to go."-- I am pretty confident that Boley will not be back for the final year of his contract.  Boley's run defense was a total disaster in 2012.

"I'd love to see Chase Blackburn be a backup linebacker, play some special teams. I like his heart, I like his desire, good teammate, all of that.  But, he should not be a starting middle linebacker," Sabo said.  "Really limited athletically, and it shows. They have nothing going up the middle to stop the run. The D-tackles are not keeping blockers off those guys, and he can't handle it. He's not strong enough or he's not athletic enough to do the job in there." -- The Chase Blackburn supporters of this forum should read this comment again and again.  As I have stated elsewhere, Chase Blackburn was a huge problem for the Giants defense this year.  He was brutal in run defense AND pass defense.  He isn't a legitimate starter; he is a street linebacker.  I would never bring him back.  Going with Chase Blackburn at MLB is kind of like going with Tim Tebow at QB.  The Giants--Fewell, Coughlin and Reese--made a huge error in judgment and it cannot happen again.

"I thought [Herzlich] would have replaced Blackburn early in the year. Obviously he's not getting it done, either," Sabo said. "Great story, decent special teams guy, but I don't see him as a starter." -- I sometimes wonder if this guy is on the team only because of the "story" that surrounds him.  Coming from Boston College helps as well.  The "story" is nice, but he hasn't shown very much on the football field.

"Canty's a good guy. I like him, he tries hard, plays with fire but he's another injury guy and I'm worried about him. He's getting up in age, missing time. -- I agree with his comments on Canty.  I think Canty will be released.  He takes up significant cap space in 2013 and isn't worth it.

"Marvin Austin is a zero. He's either hurt or can't play, he's just a huge disappointment." -- I'm not sure if these comments on Austin are fair.  Austin didn't get much opportunity to show what he can do.  This might be another example of Coughlin holding down the progress of a young player.  As we know, Coughlin has a tendency to do that.

While I agree with most of what Sabo had to say about the Giants defense, I was disappointed that he didn't identify Rolle's pass defense as a problem for the Giants.  Throughout the year, there were many instances of Rolle blowing coverages and giving up big plays.  The Mike Wallace TD was one such example, and it cost the Giants the win.  Overall, the inability to stop the run and giving up big plays (pass plays over 20 yards) were huge problems for the Giants dreadful 2012 defense.

I like what the guy said in the article, because he is a professional scout.  Not an armchair gm like all of us, but an actual scout.  His words hold weight.  I agree with him on most comments outside of Kenny Phillips and maybe Boley. 

Sage was right in saying that the Giants should bring Phillips back.  Yes he has the knee issue.  But after missing a season and taking another one to get back into form (as that is usually how long it takes for a person with microfracture to get back to how they were previously playing), Phillips was looking good before he went down with a knee injury (which wasn't cased by the microfacture, it was a freak accident when trying to tackle someone and his knee twisted badly, it could happen to anyone in the NFL so I say don't blame Phillips for it).  I say give him a TT type deal to prove that he can get through the season without injury.  Unless some stupid team overbids, Phillips doesn't really have much leverage with his injury history.

OK he's a scout and in your opinion he rules  but then you go to give your armchair GM comments.
What you basically wind up saying is if you agree with someone they're right but if you don't then they're a armchair GM?  a double standard by anyone's yardstick.
Not only do you go on to be armchair GM but you do it in grandstand style, strange days indeed.
What would be the point of having a Giants board to have our own opinions,  if everyone could only echo a scouts opinion., or wait to see if you give your stamp of approval, me thinks you think you are above the fray, not so, as the song says "you're just another brick in the wall". Just like the rest of us GM wannabe's.

Wow, somone is in a bad mood.  Attacking me over that on a message board?  Seriously, get over yourself.