New York Giants News & Notes: Gerris Wilkinson's Number Change

by cjmulrain on Jun 7, 2010 12:27 PM EDT in New York Giants News

If anyone out there bought a Gerris Wilkinson No. 59 jersey, it's now a collectors item, as Wilkinson will be switching to 58 next season, after Michael Boley bought his old No. 59. Wilkinson is hoping that the change in jersey number will also bring about a change in fortune, as he's been beset by injuries over his short career. Matt Mosley offers his opinion, which I pretty much agree with, that Wilkinson looked like a very promising player during the Super Bowl season, but injuries have derailed his career to this point. Hopefully the number change coincides with some good luck on the health front, and allows Wilkinson a chance to compete for the starting middle linebacker job this year. No. 58, unlike many other numbers (as Ed has been detailing) has a pretty good history for the Giants, recently being worn by defensive leader Antonio Pierce, and even more notably worn by Carl Banks in the 80s and 90s.

Justin Tuck says that he likes being on the "hot seat" and claims that the Giants were spoiled last year. I get where Tuck is coming from, and I'm glad to see that he's trying to use the embarrassing finish last year as extra motivation for this upcoming season. Also, Kudos to Justin for never using his injury as an excuse. Call me crazy, but I think that if Flozell Adams hadn't (cheaply) tripped him, a healthy Tuck would have single-handedly swung one of those close losses to a victory (Arizona or San Diego, perhaps). A 9-7 season with a playoff berth would have looked a lot different than an 8-8 season that ended in two brutal blowouts. It wouldn't have fundamentally changed what the Giants were, though, which was a flawed team that got blown out far too many times to have been considered a contender. In a way, maybe it's better that Tuck was hurt and the Giants didn't sneak into the playoffs. So, thanks, Flozell...I guess.

Finally, Ed posted Tom Coughlin's reaction to John Wooden's passing the other day, but Tara Sullivan of NorthJersey.com has a more in-depth piece about what Wooden meant to Coughlin. If anyone read Coughlin's book about the 2007 season, they know that Wooden had a big influence on him, and this article is a nice reminder of that. R.I.P. Coach Wooden.

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I expect nothing from Wilkinson

but if the guy is healthy he’s basically another Boley back there, at least athletically. He’s probably the most ideal for that MLB spot on the whole team in Fuel’s D.

Its probably just way too much to expect that. It would be incredible if he plays 16 ~~19?~~ 20 games this year for the Giants…but at most I’ll hope that the injuries just are minor and he’s only gotta skip a game or 2 here and there.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 7, 2010 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

I am so pissed, of course Wilkinson switches his number to my good luck Giants Jersey

Guess I willl be switching numbers too,

by Late for Dinner on Jun 7, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

why?

Maybe its good luck for GW too?

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 7, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Money Launderin' they gonna come talk to me about Money Launderin' in West Baltimore, SHIIIIT,

Giants should have called Chris and Snoop on GW a long time ago!

by Late for Dinner on Jun 7, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Wire references

never get old.

by wilddre22 on Jun 7, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

9-7

wouldn’t have gotten the gmen into the playoffs last year, but i do think you’re right about a healthy tuck being the difference in a couple of close losses last year…

by Aceholioo on Jun 7, 2010 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Last year was just one of those years

Tough injuries, bad coaching and not ready for prime time back up players.

by Late for Dinner on Jun 7, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

anyone on Twitter?

Dottino and RV are putting in work.

our Safety coach Merritt says we’re not running a Tampa 2.

apparently Bruce Johnson was playing w/ a broken wrist all 2nd half of the season as well.

and don’t look now, but Tuck may be dealing w/ a groin….

"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708

by andiamo708 on Jun 7, 2010 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

Wilk

I like the kids ability but at the mike…no. I can’t see him as a MLB. His best bet is as a backup WILL. But lets hope he can stay healthy, his real contribution is on special teams were his speed and size will be a huge help on coverage.

I have my money on a dark horse for the mike eventually, Micah Johnson. I think by next season he will be our starting MLB. Goff is not physical enough and Dillard is too small and not fast enough to overcome that lack of size, Johnson is about 6’2" and 250+ pounds. His poor 40 time was due to the knee issue. Once that’s healed it won’t be an issue, but he was never that fast just a real thumper in the middle.

by bigdaddyblues on Jun 7, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions