E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer
for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of
only four sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls.
Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

By DAVE KLEIN
KIWANUKA TO LINEBACKER?
MAKES SENSE IN MANY AREAS

When the Giants drafted Mathias Kiwanuka with their first draft choice last year -- through a trade he wound up being the last pick, or 32nd, in the draft -- many considered the fact that he might have been a trifle too small for defensive end.

He is 6-5 and 260.

What he showed last season, as a sometimes starter and frequent stand-out, was that indeed, his size and his accompanying quickness might qualify him for something else. Like linebacker?

There are such thoughts bouncing around in the minds of the team's defensive coaches, particularly the new coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo. He was the Eagles' linebackers coach and he spent his two games against the Giants last season watching the blue-ribbon prize, Kiwanuka. The thought came to him and when he got the job (replacing Tim Lewis) he inquired of head coach Tom Coughlin whether he might experiment.

One would like to think that Thomas Richard simply looked at him and said something charming, like: "you're the coordinator, do what you want." But it probably didn't happen that way; it probably was more akin to pulling teeth, and the truth is that it not a definite move now and might never be acknowledged as such until the season starts.

But it does have much merit.

He is no smaller than San Diego's Pro Bowl linebacker, Shawne Merriman, and it might be something close to fitting if the move it not only made but proves to be successful. Merriman, 6-4 and 264, was the Chargers' first-round pick in 2005 -- with the selection they got from the Giants as part of the Great Eli Manning Robbery.

In the old days, when members of the media were able to pick up a telephone to ask one of t he assistant coaches -- hey, even the head guy -- a question or two, this would be a simple exercise. So you pick up the phone and call Spagnuolo.

"Hi, coach, this is [fill in the blank]. Good, you too? Listen, just one quick question: Are you planning to move Kiwanuka to linebacker this season? What's that? You're considering it? You aren't sure but he does have the body and the speed? Great. Can he run backwards fast enough to cover pass? You think so? Hey, thanks, coach."

Forget it. Everything is cloaked in secrecy these days. There is no easy way to get through to one of the coaches, and so assuming becomes a required skill, and you all know what ultimately has to happen when you assume.

In any case, it would appear that there are thoughts percolating about Kiwanuka and a linebacker position. One might even speculate that it could be the strongside linebacker spot recently vacated by the release of LaVar Arrington, but that would require more phone calls, more "no comment" responses and/or "there will be a designated date when you can speak to the assistant coaches."

Oh, well.

In other news, clearly not gleaned from the assistant coaches, it would appear that the Giants have designated defensive end Adrian Awasom, middle linebacker Chase Blackburn and strongside linebacker Tyson Smith as Exclusive Rights players, protecting them from being signed elsewhere, at least not without a fight. The technical definition of Exclusive Rights is that such players must have two years of accrued seasons or less and when they are presented with this one year "tender" offer, they cannot negotiate with any other team.

There are those who insist Blackburn will have the opportunity to win a starting job this season, possibly at strongside; he has played exceptionally well each time he has been given a chance, and perhaps a new defensive coordinator might respond more positively than did Lewis to his performances.

Wondering who is going to replace offensive left tackle Luke Petitgout? Right now, of course, it's David Diehl, who will be moved over from left guard, but there is a thought that last year's rookie, Guy Whimper, might actually have a chance. He's 6-5, 302 and spent half the season on the Game Inactive list, the second half on the active roster with little playing time. Oh, and promise not to be surprised if the Giants sign an old face, guard-center Jason Whittle, who has been with them twice since they signed him as an undrafted free agent rookie out of Southwest Missouri State. He is an Unrestricted Free Agent again, and the Giants have some interest in the 6-1, 305-pound veteran of nine seasons. He can pull and trap, plays at least two positions and could be helpful.

Another name has surfaced as a possible Giants' first round draft pick, and it makes some sense. He's Antonio Pittman, a 5-11, 195-pound running back from Ohio State with a 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash. In his last two seasons, Pittman gained a total of 2,635 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.

All told, the Giants will take a hit this year of $1.55 million on their decision to release Arrington, not as bad as might be expected, while they pick up $3.21 million with the release of Petitgout, $1 million for telling Carlos Emmons to go away and a whopping $4 million bonus with the retirement of Tiki Barber.

They should be in great shape for the onset of the UFA signing period. Now, if only they choose right. And you did notice, didn't you, that the linebacker they so coveted -- Chicago's Lance Briggs -- was, as predicted, slapped with a Franchise Tag by the Bears?

To repeat, the Giants have nine UFA players -- long snapper Ryan Kuehl, center Shaun O'Hara, guard-tackle Grey Ruegamer, weakside linebacker Brandon Short, tackle Lewis Kelly, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, cornerback Frank Walker, tackle Steve Edwards and kicker Jay Feely. … They also have four RFA players -- running back Derrick Ward, strong safety Gibril Wilson, linebacker Reggie Torbor and wide receiver Darius Watts.

Who would you try to keep? Well, depending on monetary demands, O'Hara, Ruegamer and Feely from the UFA list along with Wilson, Torbor and Watts from the RFA list.

Check out Dave's website at E-GIANTS where you can subscribe to his newsletters which run much more frequently than what is available here.
- Team Giants

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