NY Giants Football: Ranting & Raving In 2009, Part 2

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Part No. 2 of Rant & Rave.  For those of you who maybe puzzled. A Rant is a complaint and a Rave is a compliment.

Rant

Who the hell is Albert Haynesworth.  The $100 million man right.  Whatever!  I did a little research...yes, I did my research comparing the Giants Defensive Tackles to this "supposed" best tackle in football.

Before we even start I do want to acknowledge that Albert is very good...but $100 million good?  He did benefit from playing on a GREAT defense in Tennessee.  Back my Rant. 

In his seven year career Fat Albert has 271 tackles, 24 sacks, and 18 knock downs.  In the same seven years Rocky Bernard, who played his entire career in Seattle, has 280 tackles, 29 sacks, and 13 knock downs.

In eight years Fred Robbins has 275 tackles, 26.5 sacks, and 11 knock downs.  So what gives?  Is Albert overrated or is the NY Giants Defensive Tackles underrated?

Rave

How good does Clint Sintim look?  This guy has a motor and it's always running.  Did you know this guy had 245 tackles at Virginia, 39 behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. Throw in the 27 sacks and I think we got a football player.

Those 27 sacks are the most by any active linebacker in the NCAA ranks at the conclusion of the 2008 campaign.

Sintim will be looking over the shoulder of Danny Clark all season.  Look for Clint to make a big contribution this year and possibly start before the seasons over if Danny Clark doesn't have an outstanding year.

Rant

Why is Gerris Wilkerson on this team?

In three years this guy has 51 tackles.  I don't see what he brings to the table. The Giants could have kept TE Michael Mathews, WR David Tyree, RB Allan Patrick, or DE Maurice Evans.

Any of these three players could have contributed more than Wilkerson.  He's either hurt, missing tackles, or getting run over.  Could there be some hidden raw talent somewhere...I just don't see it.  

This is his 2008 recap:  He played in eight regular season games with five starts before injuring a knee that caused him to sit out the remainder of the season.  He finished with 11 tackles and two special teams tackles.  Two special teams tackles!...you got to be kidding me.

Wilkerson started at weak side linebacker in the season opener against Washington and finished with only four tackles.  Against Cleveland he mustered up another two tackles before leaving the game with a knee injury.

He was inactive for six games before returning to the field against Washington where he had his two special teams tackles.  On the opening kickoff of the Dallas game he injured his knee and was inactive for the rest of the season.  Oh Boy!

Rave

Can some one please call Kevin Boss's number and throw the kid the ball.  This guy actually hurdled Eagles Strong Safety No. 27 Quintin Mikell on Nov. 10, 2008, with the ball in his hands! 

Anytime a 6'6" 255lb guy jumps over a Strong Safety...I say he's an athlete! 

Mr. Gilbride...please throw him the ball.  We didn't throw to Shockey because everyone said he had a big mouth, or he dropped too many balls, or he made Eli nervous. 

Now we have a big dude who runs good routes and keep his mouth shut. Throw him the rock and lets put the seem pass that Simms made famous back into the playbook.  Did someone forget he is wearing No. 89. 

Rant

Anyone love a kick return for a Touchdown?  What if I told you that there was an active player on the Giants roster who had returned 23 kickoffs for Giants resulting in 675 yards and a touchdown?

What if I told you that there is an active player on the roster who holds the Giants all-time post-season return record with 290 kick off yards in four games?

For the love of all that is red, white, and blue...Can we please put Domenik Hixon back in center field and let him shag flies? The guy is a stud with the ball in his hand and our return game has not been the same since. 

There has been plenty of starting running backs and wide receivers that returned kicks for their teams.  Maybe you've heard of Tim Brown, Eric Metcalf, Dave Megget, Devin Hester, or Brian Westbrook.

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