Dynamic is not a word that comes to mind when glancing quickly at the players who have been prepared by the Giants to become midfielders in their defense like in a linebacker. It seems to be a group high on intelligence and less high on anything extraordinary in terms of extraordinary physical abilities.
Maybe everything came to this point: Are you a believer in Blake Martinez? The numbers he produced in four years at Green Bay made it difficult to doubt – his 512 total (331 solos) was second in the NFL in that range, leaving only 597 tackles installed by Bobby Wagner from the Seahawks. The knock on Martinez is the quality of the tackles, because his critics say he dropped the ball carrier too far from the soccer practice line.
Martinez called this “a misunderstanding about me” and explained that he had very little responsibility in the Packers’ defense, making it difficult for him to get a tackle to lose or gain 1 or 2 yards.
“I was taught and told to be a janitor,” he said.
Based on the run-stop percentage figures 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 came in 15th when taking into account all defenders, in front of the rookie midfielder Devin White (ranked fifth overall by Buccaneers) and Devin Bush (taken No. 10 by Steelers).
The Packers do not pursue Martinez with enthusiasm in free agency. The Giants made it a priority and signed it for a three-year contract worth $ 30 million.
“I thought of the way [the Packers] “respecting the linebacker’s position inside, especially in that defense, is not as valued as other places I think, in my opinion,” Martinez said.
The multi-scheme defense put together by the new Giants coordinator Patrick Graham needs an orchestra, and Martinez, who plays at Stanford, has a baton. Graham was his position coach in Green Bay in 2018, and Graham gave his approval stamp.
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“Martinez gives us a man who has played in the system for Pat Graham and will make us queue,” said general manager Dave Gettleman. “I think this scheme will be more suitable for him.”
The Graham system is expected to give Martinez more freedom to make the game in the gap, rather than react and find the memo left by the defensive linemen in front of him.
Growing up in Tucson, Ariz., Martinez helped his father, Mike, the owner of a construction company. At the age of 10, Blake’s primary responsibility was to find and retrieve any nails left at work, using a small magnet. Work ethics and attention to detail will be a welcome addition to the Giants defense who needs someone to get everyone organized.
“Overall, there will be a lot of freedom for me to do checks, make calls and adjust to pre-snap games given to give people the chance to play,” Martinez said. “There will be a lot of communication across the board.”
It remains to be seen who is paired inside with Martinez. Ryan Connelly, the 2019 fifth round pick from Wisconsin, made a quick and very positive impression on the previous training regime, working his way into the starting lineup on Week 2. He had an interception in each of his first two NFL starts but went down against the Redskins with the ACL torn, ending his rookie year at Week 4. Conscious and instinctive, Connelly, if he returns to full health – he is expected to be ready to roll in training camp – can be very suitable to match with Martinez.
Gettleman as general manager in Carolina took David Mayo in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and remained on his side. Mayo started his 11 best matches last season, replacing injured Alex Ogletree and Connelly, and played well as a run-stopper. He was rewarded with a three-year contract worth $ 8.4 million, with only a guarantee of $ 3.5 million this year.
Two attacking midfielders who play in the seventh round of the draft, TJ Brunson (South Carolina) and Tae Crowder (Georgia), will try to make a list and show that they can contribute to a special team before they accept any assignment in defense.
