Part eight in a series analyzing the New York Giants.
Dynamic is not the word that comes to mind when taking a quick glance at the players the Giants have lined up to man the middle of their defense as inside linebackers. It appears to be a group high on smarts and less-high on anything outstanding in terms of overwhelming physical ability.
It may all come down to this at this spot: Are you a believer in Blake Martinez? The numbers he produced in four years in Green Bay make it difficult to doubt him — his 512 total tackles (331 solo) are second in the NFL in that span, trailing just the 597 tackles put up by Bobby Wagner of the Seahawks. The knock on Martinez is the quality of those tackles, as his critics say he drops ball-carriers too far from the line of scrimmage.
Martinez calls this “one misconception of me’’ and explains he had very little gap responsibility within the Packers defense, making it difficult for him to get tackles for loss or for 1- or 2-yard gains.
“I was taught and told to be the clean-up-crew guy,’’ he said.
Based on the run-stop percentage numbers compiled by Pro Football Focus, Martinez made an impact — finishing fourth in the NFL last season, right behind Luke Kuechly of the Panthers, among all off-ball linebackers. Martinez was 15th when factoring in all defensive players, ahead of rookie linebackers Devin White (taken No. 5 overall by the Buccaneers) and Devin Bush (taken No. 10 by the Steelers).
Blake MartinezAPThe Packers did not pursue Martinez with any zeal in free agency. The Giants made him a priority and signed him to a three-year deal worth $30 million.
“I think the way [the Packers] value the inside linebacker position, especially in that defense, it wasn’t as valued as other places I guess, in my opinion,’’ Martinez said.
The multiple-scheme defense put together by new Giants coordinator Patrick Graham needs an orchestrator, and Martinez, who played at Stanford, has the conductor’s baton. Graham was his position coach in Green Bay in 2018, and that Graham gave his stamp of approval is telling.
“Martinez gives us a guy that has played in the system for Pat Graham and will get us lined up,’’ general manager Dave Gettleman said. “I think that this scheme is going to fit him better.’’
Graham’s system is expected to give Martinez more freedom to make plays in gaps, rather than reacting to and finding the scraps left behind by the defensive linemen in front of him.
Growing up in Tucson, Ariz., Martinez helped out his father, Mike, the owner of a construction company. At the age of 10, Blake’s main responsibility was to find and pick up every nail left behind on the job site, using a small magnet. That work ethic and attention to detail will be welcome additions to a Giants defense that needs someone to get everyone organized.
“Overall, there is going to be a lot of freedom for me to make checks, make calls and adjustments on a given play pre-snap to give guys chances to make plays,’’ Martinez said. “There is going to be a lot of communication across the board.’’
It remains to be seen who gets paired inside with Martinez. Ryan Connelly, a 2019 fifth-round pick from Wisconsin, made a quick and hugely positive impression on the previous coaching regime, working his way into the starting lineup by Week 2. He had interceptions in each of his first two NFL starts but went down against the Redskins with a torn ACL, ending his rookie year in Week 4. Aware and instinctive, Connelly, if he returns to full health — he is expected to be ready to roll in training camp — could be well-suited to match with Martinez.
Gettleman as the general manager in Carolina took David Mayo in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and remains partial to him. Mayo started a career-high 11 games last season, filling in for injured Alex Ogletree and Connelly, and did well as a run-stopper. He was rewarded with a three-year contract worth $8.4 million, with only this year’s $3.5 million guaranteed.
Two inside linebackers taken in the seventh round of the draft, TJ Brunson (South Carolina) and Tae Crowder (Georgia), will try to make the roster and show they can contribute on special teams before they receive any assignments on defense.
