WANTED: Capable Outside Linebacker

No team ever likes to lose a player, but the Giants may have gained an opportunity when reserve DE Adrian Awasom suffered a potentially season ending injury on Sunday. If he is put on Injured Reserve (which all reports indicate), the Giants will be in a position to add a player to the roster. With the shaky play of the linebackers in the seasons' opening weeks, an outside addition would be welcomed with open arms. Despite having seven players on the current roster listed at that position, bringing in another would allow the Giants to terminate the ill-advised Mathias Kiwanuka experiment. He could transition back to his natural defensive end position which is in need of a boost with the loss of Awasom, and the Giants could attempt to upgrade their greatest weakness during its first two games.

During the offseason, many feared the linebacker position would be a weakness. Many people were looking for the Giants to draft college standouts Jon Beason or Paul Pozluszny with their top pick. However, we were assured that with the signing of Kawika Mitchell and switch by Kiwanuka, the linebacking corps would be fine. After two standout performances by tight ends, it is apparent an upgrade is necessary. They failed to obtain Al Wilson via trade this offseason, but he remains a free agent. If he could be deemed physically fit, he always excelled in pass coverage. It would at least be wise of the Giants to re-visit this option.

Two games in to the season, there's many reasons for concern. With 14 left to play, there's plenty of time to right the ship. However, the long term issues bother me the most. New general manager Jerry Reese has proven very capable on draft day but has left this roster with many question marks. He's sat by in recent weeks as many veterans (Donovin Darius, Jeremiah Trotter) who could have helped this team tremendously were signed at low prices. As it stands, the Giants are dangerously thin at safety and have received no positive contributions from the linebacking corps. Reese looks to suffer from Isiah Thomas syndrome; great eye for amateur talent, but no ability to form a cohesive roster. Hopefully he uses this new opportunity to start turning things around.