The headline gives this one away. It's time for a debate, people, so sharpen your arguments and let's get right to it. Which rookie linebacker would you prefer to see getting more snaps, Greg Jones or Jacquian Williams?
It seems like the Giants have gone back and forth on their own answer to that question, and I have seen arguments on behalf of each player in some of your comments. So, let's have a full-fledged discussion about it.
Tale of the Tape
Greg Jones
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 242
College: Michigan State
Drafted: Sixth round, 185th overall
Position: MLB
Snaps Played: 128
Tackles: 21
Pro Football Focus Grade: +2.4
Jacquian Williams
Ht: 6-foot-2 Wt: 224
College: University of South Florida
Drafted: Sixth round, 202nd overall
Position: OLB
Snaps Played: 242
Tackles: 37
Passes Defensed: 2
Pro Football Focus Grade: -2.3
So, let's debate the pros and cons of each player.
Jones became the middle linebacker by default when Jonathan Goff went down right before the season-opening game against the Washington Redskins. For a guy who was not expected to play much, if at all, this season he has done a pretty decent job. He does not possess great speed, which is probably why he was a sixth-round pick, but has shown to be pretty solid against the run when he can get there. Has a +2.9 PFF grade for run defense.
Jones is a pure middle linebacker with four years of big-time experience at Michigan State. Jones' snaps have varied wildly this season -- 35, 14, 9, 28, 4, 4, 34 in the seven games.
Williams is a raw, unpolished athlete. Some eyebrows were raised when the Giants drafted him, but he has shown intriguing athleticism and play-making ability. Due to the injuries the Giants had, Williams began the season playing on passing downs, but he impressed coaches and his role seemed to expanding until the past couple of games. His snaps played look like this -- 16, 28, 43, 34, 76, 45 and then 0 Sunday against Miami. That is a pretty clear indication that, while the Giants love the potential and the athleticism, that the youngster's mistakes are becoming harder to tolerate.
So, what would you like to see the Giants do here? The fact that both of these rookies are getting signficant time, and playing well in spots, bodes well for the future of the linebacking corps. The question, though, is which one should be on the field right now?