Should the New York Giants Consider Lofa Tatupu for Linebacker Help?

The Giants have had their defense ripped apart this summer due to injuries.

Terrell Thomas, Marvin Austin, Brian Witherspoon, Clint Sintim and Jonathan Goff are all out for the season with multiple injuries.

Osi Umenyiora is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Prince Amukamara is recovering from a broken foot.

And now, to top it off, Justin Tuck's neck is acting up and it's not certain whether he will be ready to play in Sunday's Week 1 game against the Washington Redskins.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is a very good coach, but even he needs players to work with to make his pressure defense work.

With two linebackers now out for the season, as of right now, it leaves sixth-round draft pick Greg Jones to be slated as the starting linebacker.

Jones has been evaluated as a guy who could eventually be a playmaker for the Giants, but to make him the signal-caller on defense in Week 1? That's a lot to ask.

They also have Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka as the two other starting linebackers slated to start for the Giants.

But the Giants know they need some depth.

We know they were working out former Giants Kawika Mitchell and Chase Blackburn, neither of which have signed officially yet.

If they are still looking for linebacker depth, and maybe even someone who can come in right away to start, there is one quality name who is on the market.

On August 31, the Seattle Seahawks released middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu from his contract because both sides couldn't come to an agreement to restructure his contract. Tatupu, now 29, has spent all six years of his playing career in Seattle, and was a Pro Bowler for them in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Over the last couple years, Tatupu has been hit with injuries; he played through a broken thumb in 2008, then tore his pectoral muscle in 2009 and missed 11 games. And during the 2010 season, he had to skip practices because his knees were so beat up. Tatupu had arthroscopic knee surgeries to both knees

Despite the knees, he still started and played in all 16 games for the Seahawks last season and made 88 tackles, 58 of them solo with one interception.

Something that could help Tatupu stay healthy is putting a strong defensive line in front of him, something that is the Giants' strong point of their defense, pending they can stay healthy there.

Tatupu is a major health risk, so a one-year deal would definitely be the likeliest of situations for him in 2011. But with all of the injuries the Giants have suffered, and with both Goff and Sintim out for the year, and Jones really the only middle linebacker this team has, getting a veteran like Tatupu can't hurt.

If anything, it can help Jones continue to develop, the pressure of his rookie year won't be on him as much if he were thrown in right away to start and he can learn under a veteran like Tatupu.

What do the Giants have to lose here if they look into Tatupu?

I think Giants GM Jerry Reese should at least pick up the phone and see if Tatupu would have interest.

They've already had enough injuries on their defense as it is.

Getting some veteran help can't hurt.