Giants ink LB Bulluck to firm up defense
BY PAUL SCHWARTZ
Last Updated: 9:32 AM, July 25, 2010
Posted: 3:24 AM, July 25, 2010
The largest question heading into training camp for the Giants was whether or not there was a capable middle linebacker on the roster. The signing yesterday of veteran Keith Bulluck doesn't immediately answer that question, but it does instantly make him the front-runner to move into the starting lineup.

Bulluck, 33, played his entire 10-year career with the Titans but is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered last Dec. 20. He missed the final two games of the 2009 season -- after starting an impressive 127 straight -- but the Giants are convinced he is ready to go, just seven months after reconstructive surgery.

The Giants gave Bulluck a one-year deal that, with incentives, can be worth $2.5 million. Born in Suffern, N.Y. and a former player at Syracuse, Bulluck last Monday worked out for the Giants, who were pleased with how he handled all the drills. Still cautious, the Giants waited until the next day to see how Bulluck's knee responded and once that test was passed he was offered a contract. Bulluck also visited with the Cardinals, but wanted to return close to his home.

Bulluck provides credibility in the middle of a defense. The Giants next Sunday report to camp in Albany and were about to stage a competition featuring third-year Jonathan Goff, rookie Phillip Dillard, oft-injured Gerris Wilkinson and reserve Chase Blackburn. Based on the unproven nature of the participants, middle linebacker was considered a get-by position, a spot where whoever won the job would likely be a one-down player taken off the field in the nickel package.

Now that could change. Bullock, selected to the Pro Bowl in 2003, had a career-high 152 tackles in 2004 and at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds is a ball-seeking defender.

He has 18 career sacks and 19 interceptions. He had 108 tackles last season, but the Titans were not interested in re-signing him for an 11th season in Tennessee. Bulluck, as long as he shows his knee is fit and makes the final roster, will get a chance Sept. 26 to see his old friends, as the Titans face the Giants that day at New Meadowlands Stadium.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

awesome!

SupremeCommander wrote:who is everyone interested in? a friend is in Albany at Giants training camp and offered to look for specific names if I gave them to him.

If I had to pick five I'd say:

-William Beatty
-Matt Dodge
-Chris Canty
-Kenny Phillips
-Aaron Ross

My list:
Kenny Phillips
Jason Pierre-Paul
Aaron Ross
Hakeem Nicks
Keith Bullock

TMS wrote:i'm most excited to see what Ramses Barden can do in this offense... haven't heard much from him this training camp, but i liked what i saw last year... wish he'd gotten more of a chance, i think he can really be an impact player in this league.

I agreee on Ramses, he could become an endzone threat like plax was in the redzone. I also am really interested in Sintim. IMO, he is starting as our weeksdie LB this year.

jusnice wrote:

TMS wrote:i'm most excited to see what Ramses Barden can do in this offense... haven't heard much from him this training camp, but i liked what i saw last year... wish he'd gotten more of a chance, i think he can really be an impact player in this league.

I agreee on Ramses, he could become an endzone threat like plax was in the redzone. I also am really interested in Sintim. IMO, he is starting as our weeksdie LB this year.

Mosley wrote Ramses is doing better... he's catching in stride, over the middle, and catching with his hands instead of letting the ball come into his body... he's improved

Phillips said he'd be happy if he was on field for 1 play. Well, that's what they let him do. One rep with 2nd team in 11s. 38 minutes ago

via
newsdaygiants
Tom Rock

i know they'll bring him along slowly at first, but let's hope a month from now he's really starting to pick things up.

Giants are going to have to cut a big name WR this season because of this kid.

NYKBocker wrote:

JohnWallace44 wrote:Anyone see this Cruz kid? Three touchdowns and they weren't freak preseason TD's, they were "feed the beast, you know we're coming at you and you can't stop it" TD's.

Giants are going to have to cut a big name WR this season because of this kid.

I think Hagan or Moss will be cut in favor of this kid.

cut Moss, he's been a bust since we drafted him... this kid Cruz just earned a spot on this team w/that performance... we need playmakers like that on this squad.

VDesai wrote:Moss is as good as gone. GUy is useless. Lost in Cruz's Randy Moss like performance was that Hagan had a very nice game. He was a big time playmaker in college and had a great year on specials last year. He will definitely make the team and will be a big contributor. Remember Hixon is out for the year so there should be enough spots for 6, including Cruz and Hagan.

Cruz was unbelievable. I've never seen anything like that from an unheralded player, even in preseason. His catches were spectacular. Amazing body control and great hands.

cruz was amazing yesterday.. reminds me alot of miles austin in the fact that he's unheralded and came from a small college. amazing game for him. i've always liked derek hagan, i'm not sure what happened with him in miami but he has great size (6'2, 215) and good hands.

not a great game for the giants overall but they have a TON of injuries and it's also good to get the bragging rights for first victory over the stupid jets.