Giants 101

If Michael Strahan Retires…

By Rich O'Callaghan | May 9th, 2008

Once again Michael Strahan may or may not retire. I have detailed this in my last post, located below. Replacing Strahan’s production will be tough, and some changes will have to be made on the field to improve the Giants pass rush. What moves would the Giants make if Strahan decides to hang up his cleats? The key will be on where Mathias Kiwanuka lines up next season. Here are some options.

Move Kiwanuka Back to Defensive End - This is a popular option right now among Giants fans. Kiwi was a defensive end in college, and was productive as a DE in limited playing time as a rookie. Between his first and second year with the Giants, Kiwi was moved to strongside linebacker, where he was successful before a broken leg ended his season on November 18th. At the time Kiwi was injured, he was the Giants leading tackler (46 tackles) and was effective on the blitz (4.5 sacks). We know Justin Tuck will be starting in Strahan’s place, but moving Kiwi back to defensive end would allow Tuck to move inside on passing downs, where he was so successful last year. This would give the Giants three legitimate pass rushing threats on the field, and would give Spagnulo an opportunity be creative when the Giants are on the defensive. The Giants rode their stellar pass rush to a championship last season, and losing Strahan would jeopardize this strength, unless Kiwi is moved back to defensive end. The GMen also can afford to make this move, because of their current depth at linebacker. If Kiwi was switched back to DE, the GMen could start Clark/DeOssie on the strongside and Wilkinson/Clark on the weakside with Pierce in the middle and plenty of depth behind them (Blackburn, Kehl, Goff).
Keep Kiwanuka at Strongside Linebacker - Kiwanuka was impressive while playing linebacker last season, although he looked lost in coverage at times. The GMen would still have an impressive pass rush with Osi, Robbins, Coefield/Alford, Tuck and Spagnuolo’s blitz schemes. Kiwi blitzed on most passing downs from the strongside last season anyway, and was improving each week as a linebacker.
Move Kiwanuka around, why label him with a position? - There is no rule that says Kiwanuka needs a position, and he could be what is now referred to as a “tweener”. For example play him at linebacker on first and second down, rotate Tuck inside on third down, and play Kiwi at DE. Switch it up next series, and keep everyone fresh. Versatility is key in the NFL right now, and I think Kiwi has the ability to drop back in coverage one play, put his hand on the ground and rush the passer the next play, then blitz as a linebacker the next play. You want your best players on the field at all times, and incorporating Kiwi’s flexibility will maximize the Giants defensive versatility. Spags is so creative that I think this may be the best option for the GMen if Strahan does opt for retirement.
NOTES:The New York media has dubbed the Giants rookie linebackers “the Brainbackers.” Jonathan Goff (Vanderbilt) and Bryan Kehl (BYU) both majored in engineering from prestigious schools and graduated with accolades. Kehl even graduated from high school with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was recruited to play football at Harvard and Yale before opting for BYU. Vanderbilt’s coach Bobby Johnson said of Goff, “He understands the game so well, and is always the smartest player on the field. He runs the defense.” Smarts are a great quality to have in linebackers, and it looks like we found two brainy ones in the draft.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm and is filed under Zak DeOssie, Chase Blackburn, Jay Alford, Danny Clark, Bryan Kehl, Jonathan Goff, Osi Umenyiora, Antonio Pierce, Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Steve Spagnuolo, Mathias Kiwanuka, Gerris Wilkinson, Michael Strahan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

16 Responses to “If Michael Strahan Retires…”

boooojaaaa says:

May 9th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

go check out my post on the previous article. Dont quit Strahan one more year. Its towards the end
elk burger says:

May 9th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

i wouldn’t be against them entering the Jason Taylor sweepstakes. Just so no one else in the NFC East can pick him up. He is a beast. A dancing beast, but no less a beast.
Chris of LI says:

May 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

i don’t get why people keep saying Kiwi is going to be moved back to DE when Strahan retires. the Giants knew Strahan would be retiring soon when they moved Kiwi last season to SLB, i don’t see how him ACTUALLY retiring would change their mind. besides with Tuck having a great year, its obvious he’ll be taking over for Strahan as soon as #92 calls it quit. when the Giants moved Kiwi to LB it was for the long haul, regardless if Strahan quit that season, this season or the next season. unless of course Kiwanuka sucks at SLB, then they’d move him back.
jho says:

May 9th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

This is an interesting situation: let’s say that the Giants obtain a 1st rounder for Shockey and conditional draft pick in ‘09 from the Saints. Would you go to Parcells and offer one of your future 1st round picks if Strahan retires? I feel like adding Taylor would make the Giants D stay monstrous.

Of course I rather keep Shockey, but just offering a “what if” scenario.
gianthinker says:

May 10th, 2008 at 1:10 am

I’d leave Kiwi at OLB and start Tuck across from Osi. But thats all IF Strahan retires which I dont expect.
Paul says:

May 10th, 2008 at 5:06 am

Im telling you, move kiwi to end.trade shockey to the saints for vilma and a 2nd rounder-he would be a stud in spags system.this defense could be deadly!!!!!!!!!
Brandon Buchanan says:

May 10th, 2008 at 6:11 am

I personally think Strahan will retire.

And I certainly believe Kiwi will be moved back to DE. The LB corps is very deep, but our DE rotation will be sagging w/o strahan, whom is someone who can absorb 70-80% of the snaps.

As far as Jason Taylor, perhaps…but all depends on the money. If he is demanding more than the $4 mil Strahan is owed (which I think he is), then certainly do not sign him.
18-1* says:

May 10th, 2008 at 9:55 am

Just read that WR DJ Hall, Bama, looked very impressive in his first day for the GMen. Its only day 1 of rookie minicamp but I like this signing even if we dont have many WR spots available.
giantsdraft08 says:

May 10th, 2008 at 10:12 am

I doubt we go after Jason Taylor, but it is a possibility, our draft would indicate that Kiwi would mvoe back to DE, we did draft 2 linebackers.

Without Kiwi we would have a solid core…

WLB: Wilkinson, Kehl
MLB: Pierce, Blackburn, Goff
SLB: Clark, Deossie

and Clark can play all 3 linebacker spots, and I would’nt be suprised if they give Chase Blackburn a chance at SLB…..other than SLB we are pretty much set, i trust Wilkinson.
giantsdraft08 says:

May 10th, 2008 at 10:14 am

i think Kiwi will be moved back if Strahan does retire, however I still think that Kiwi will be moveing around as Spag’s little toy. but his main positino will be DE.
Tony M says:

May 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am

If Strahan retires, I believe Tuck will (and should) be moved to that position due to his superior run-stopping ability. Early last year, it was Kiwi who was moved to the LDT (later to become known as the “Tuck Position”) next to Strahan on passing downs, with Tuck coming in at the “other” DT position. In many situations last year, we had four DEs on the field at once.

With Kiwi at the SAM position and Tuck at LDE we have our best people on the field. I don’t think Tuck is a full-time DT, and it will eventually wear him down. To get Tuck, arguably our most dynamic player, on the field for the most plays he needs to be at DE. Alford and Robbins can split time as the pass-rushing DT, with Cofield anchoring on running plays, coming out in passing situations.

If I was the D-coordinator, that’s what I would do.
boooojaaaa says:

May 10th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

BigB wrecking crew listen hear you mental midget.
I hope ur kidding. Its people like you who cant look at things from more than one angle, who are ruining this country. Oh so Brian Westbrock must suck,
because hes an eagle, u need to grow up.

Top Ten Things BigB wrecking crew says at dinner.

1. WE should nuke all the Arabs.
2. Im so glad we invaded Iraq because thats were Osama Bin Laden lives.
3. Why are the potatoes cold bitch.
4. I thought the last Matrix was the best one.
5. Im voting for Obama because hes going to change everything.
You guys can finish the last 5. I just dont like when one idiot speaks for everyone on the site. You defintely dont speak for me you sheep.
boooojaaaa says:

May 10th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

Also JT is no MS
aston mar says:

May 11th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

i totally agree with Tony M
mlj says:

May 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

I think the best bet for Kiwanuka would be to make him a “tweener”,as suggested. Not every person/thing has to be labeled. Using Kiwi in that way would drive opposing coordinators nuts trying to figure out where he might line up each play.

http://www.myteamrivals.typepad.com/newyorkgiants
ImRightYoureWrong says:

May 13th, 2008 at 7:37 am

Cant we all just get along. While I do think it would be fantastic to get JT I dont really see that happening. I kinda would like MS to retire just so he can go out on top. Im a Giants fan but like we saw last year “Any given Sunday.” He should go out on top. I dont think Kiwi will become a “tweener” they will keep him where hes at since they also picked up Robert Henderson to add depth at DE. Cant wait for football season to start!