Keep Or Cut? Gerris Wilkinson
by Ed Valentine on Jun 17, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintLet's play another round of 'keep or cut' on this Father's Day weekend Friday. In our last round, 56 percent of you voted that the New York Giants should keep wide receiver Derek Hagan. The subject of today's 'keep or cut' will be a guy who might be the defensive equivalent of D.J. Ware -- a guy the Giants have waited a long time for but who has not been able to step up and grab a real role.
That would be linebacker Gerris Wilkinson. The 28-year-old Wilkinson was a third-round pick by the Giants back in 2006, and 2011 will be his sixth NFL season.
Why the Giants should keep him
Wilkinson, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds is an athletic, experienced player. The Giants drafted Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams this year, and Phillip Dillard and Adrian Tracy a year ago. If Chase Blackburn leaves via free agency, however, the Giants really would be left with no experienced backup linebackers. Plus, Wilkinson is a valued player on kickoff and punt coverage.
Why the Giants should cut him
Because the Giants have now waited five full seasons for the former Georgia Tech linebacker to show them he deserves a full-fledged role in the defense, and Wilkinson has been unable to do so. In those five seasons Wilkinson has started seven games, none since 2008. His best season was his rookie year of 2006, when he made 32 tackles. He has not come close to matching that total since.
It is actually pretty easy to make the argument that Wilkinson has had his chance, and that now it is time for the Giants to give some of the younger linebackers they have brought in an opportunity.
Your thoughts? Vote in the poll and let us know.
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Got to keep him.
Tremendous value right here. Yes, i said that about our guy G Wilkinson. We are thin at LB. And worst case scenario, we have a vet, who is fresh, and knows our system who can step in if injuries / failures occur.
"they try to do what he do, and been where he's been, but they get folded in two.....he's the dude"
Keep him for now
but if you asked me this last year, i would say cut wilkinson and keep bryan kehl who i thought had some potential
How did Kehl do last year anyway?
I was surprised he was cut. Did he make the NYG look foolish?
Bring lawyers, guns and money to get me out of this one! Stand in the Fire.
i would say cut
although ST value isnt that strong on this team, so i could see him being the next blackburn in a way
"I like prime rib, and I'd love to win a Super Bowl" -Andy Reid
I think the Giants aren't drafting all of these linebackers...
because they think Wilkinson is the answer to their problems. When he’s been healthy, he hasn’t moved people out of the lineup, and he’s rarely healthy. The labor situation works in his favor, but if the strongest reason to keep the guy is a fluid labor situation, he’s a hope, not a player. Will give him credit on special teams, but we just drafted a bunch young guys to fly down the field and make tackles, and given Quinn’s coaching, even if Wilkinson was all world, the net effect won’t be much. I cut him.
Cut this Bum
Giants tried to hand him the job and he could not take it. We can get someonelse to play ST for cheaper.
by Late for Dinner on Jun 17, 2011 10:30 AM EDT reply actions
Hard to answer
Like you said, he is technically a “veteran” player and knows the system. In the end of the 07 season and playoffs, he did show signs of being a Decent player (week 17 he somewhat cover randy moss for like a second and the tampa game he came in for the injured K Mitchell and made some plays).
But since then, jack-sh*t from him. I guess I’d still keep him if Blackburn leaves but I would not lose sleep if he left.
"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck
by The Always Well Dressed... on Jun 17, 2011 10:32 AM EDT reply actions
*somewhat covered
"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck
by The Always Well Dressed... on Jun 17, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
How can you say anything but cut him ? What has Wilkinson done to warrant staying on this roster ….. Nothing. He had a great game against Tampa I a playoff game but that was how many years ago … He gotta go … On the next bus out of the league get him.a pink slip asap!
by TheBXRepresenta on Jun 17, 2011 10:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Cut Him
How is this even a question. He has contributed as much to this team as DJ Ware – NOTHING.
Waste of a roster spot
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
cut him if we sign a veteren FA, otherwise keep him
I don’t expect any contribution this season from Williams or Tracy… if we sign a veteran to replace wilkinson than he can go, otherwise we need the reliable backup and special teams help.
Why don't you expect anything from Tracy?
He got hurt in the preseason. He should be fine by Week 1.
Maybe he didnt see him pre season
Tracy had a good chance to get major playing time.
Peyton May Have The Wins!!
But Eli Will Have The Rings!!!
Serously
Tracy was the defensive equivalent of Vic Cruz. He was the best player on the field in the Steelers game, for either team.
Yea dude had like 9 tackles in the steeler game
Oh yea it was his first time playing LB as well, i would call that big time promise.
Peyton May Have The Wins!!
But Eli Will Have The Rings!!!
CUT!!
He needs a change of scenery, i think he still has value but i dont see why we even kept him over Kehl who gave spags more than wilkinson gave us.
Not to mention we just drafted Williams in the 6th as well as Greg Jones, both of those guys will quickly nullify any playing time wilkinson would be getting.
Peyton May Have The Wins!!
But Eli Will Have The Rings!!!
Like a beach ball coming at Ted Williams' bat
Cut him. No question.
Yes we need other vets but also give the 1st and 2nd year guys a shot.
G’bye Gerris, you had your chances and did not contribute enough to hold a roster spot.
Side note, too many injuries as well.
Only possible complication is that Bulluck is probably gone too.
All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
On second thought, let's not blame players or coaches, they are not responsible. The unsupportive fans are to blame.
by UnknownJintsFan on Jun 17, 2011 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
if the GMen want Bulluck back, I think they got a real good chance
really depends on how much better he holds up (health wise)…another year in the system is not bad and he did say he wasn’t really thinking of the $ right now, eventually he wants to get back up there, but winning is his key thing right now.
I know he’s getting older (maybe 4 more years left)… so I don’t know how he’ll try to get back up there in terms of $$… unless he gets another 1 year deal and then show and prove for a big 3 year deal… IDK…
would be nice to bring him back for something affordable and see if he can get back to pre-injury days
That's just Ridiculous!
In the 5 years here, he hasn't done ANYTHING that a rookie wouldn't be expected to do.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Keep Jose Reyes, Trade Fred Wilpon
by BigBlueIntervention on Jun 17, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
Sadly due to the lockout he may be kept.
Experience
I may not be the most noble of men but in a town of lepers, im the one with the most fingers.
Sex is like math. Add the bed, Subtract the clothes, divide the legs ... And pray to god you don't multiply!!
Hard to believe this guy has been a Giant for five years.
I remember when he was drafted how enthusiastic the defensive coaches were about him. That enthusiasm kept me high on him for a few years, but how could you be now? He is in on a few plays a year. As far as keep or cut, I couldn’t say without knowing the available personnel, and when the season will actually begin. However, Ed, I think your choices for Keep or Cut have been great.
Sadly due to the lockout he may be kept.
Experience
I may not be the most noble of men but in a town of lepers, im the one with the most fingers.
Sex is like math. Add the bed, Subtract the clothes, divide the legs ... And pray to god you don't multiply!!
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 5 years in a row, shame on me.
Let him get injured on another team, we have enough guys that can contribute to ST. Also, keep Chase.
"Oh sir, the Giants of New York took on the Packers of Green Bay. And in the end, the Giants triumphed by kicking an oblong ball made of pigskin through a big "H". It was a most ripping victory."
he's a FA
and no tender, so if he winds up on the roster, he definitely did something to deserve it.
by Oppenheimer919 on Jun 17, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
This guy played a lot in the super bowl
and he played well
by The Blood of Eli on Jun 17, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions
Unless roster sizes increase
then we have no room for him. He’s had his chances. Let the younger guys get their shot.
The NFL and NFLPA? They can kiss my ass, OK? They can line up and kiss my ass.
See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya
Would rather have young guy on the roster learning the position than a mediocre vetran back up.
I always thought he had enough athletic ability...
but enough is enough. Since he couldn’t beat out the guys we had ahead of him he needs to go.
by giant fan since 57 on Jun 17, 2011 4:06 PM EDT reply actions
It's a matter of space
If we keep Wilkinson, we cut someone else.
Not knowing how large the final roster size will be, I still think we should cut the guy, because I see a lot more promise in some of these other ‘bubble’ players.
Last year was make or break for him.
this is what it sounds like when the birds cry
If Clint Sintim can hardly crack the rotation
what makes us think G Dub even has a chance? b/t the starters, Kiwi(maybe),Sintim, Tracy, Dillard, Jones, Williams, and any potential FA’s we bring in, i think the writing’s on the wall for the dude. sucks cause i always secretly wished he would play a bigger role in this D, especially after seeing him crack someone on ST. so long G Dub, we hardly knew ye…
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I will not - lose! -Jay Z-
........Oh boy.
Under normal circumstances, that is a non lockout year, this is a no brainer. But since this isn’t a normal circumstance I may have to say, gulp, keep him…? I’m not a big fan, noone could be a big fan of his but his momma but he does have some value to us. He is good on specials and he knows our defense, and knowing is half the battle. I’d keep him but with a resounding unenthusiasm.
by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Jun 17, 2011 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
knowing is half the battle
the other half, the half that he has been lacking in is doing it. Snip Snip…. It’s a Mitzvah
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.
by njsoldier1978 on Jun 17, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
As an aside....
You know that its a slow sports day when espn is talking about the oj chase 17 year anniversary….. I know married people that don’t celebrate 17….
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.
to st louis he goes
"I like prime rib, and I'd love to win a Super Bowl" -Andy Reid
by nyg94 on Jun 17, 2011 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Giants special teams ain't special
If he is one of the keys to this poor specials teams unit that the Giants have then definitely get rid of him. The Giants are poor at punt and kick returns. Watching the Giants cover punts and kicks is just scary. Getting rid of some of the key special teams guys might breathe some new life into the unit.
that's a good point
if “key special teams contributor” means “adequate”, then perhaps it’s time to reevaluate priorities.
this is what it sounds like when the birds cry
We need to get rid of the riff-raff
Wilkinson falls into that category.
by BrooksBridges11 on Jun 18, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
Being reminded
that he was drafted in FRIGGIN 2006 and he is 28!!!!!! OMG he has gotten more rope than any player in recent memory. The labor situation may dictate keeping him, but the Giants must see SOMETHING in this guy. Maybe he’s a James Harrison in the making. Like someone said above, at this point he is a hope, not a player.
Just get it done already...
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