Keith Bulluck Wants What The Giants Are Unlikely To Give

by Ed Valentine on Jul 11, 2011 12:09 PM EDT in New York Giants News

Veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck did not much like his part-time role with the New York Giants last season. After 10 seasons in Tennessee, most of those as the heart and soul of the Titans' defense, Bulluck arrived in New York when Tennessee released him following knee surgery.

He found himself playing somewhat sparingly, getting just 315 snaps in 13 games. At the end of the season Bulluck told reporters he would rather retire and buy a boat than play part time again. He has since expressed a desire to play, and you have to think is not going to be with the Giants. The 34-year-old is leaving no doubt he wants a bigger role wherever he lands -- and it doesn't seem like the Giants will give it to him.

"I feel like last year was like a year off for me because I played a limited role within the Giants defense, and I was still able to be effective," Bulluck said. "So I’ve just been out here in Westlake, California working out, Proactive Sports, just doing my thing. Getting right and getting ready for when this thing is lifted I know I’ll be ready to play."

Bulluck recently told NFL Network he thinks he can be the same player he was in Tennessee.

"From the heart, I would say, if any coach or team was a fan of my style of football before I got hurt in ’09, I’m back to that form and I’m ready to play football. My swagger’s back on 1,000, so, I’m definitely that player. I’ve put a lot of time in this offseason and last offseason rehabbing and training to get back to that player I’ve been over the past 10 years. I’m anxious to get into camp — and I can show you better than I can tell you."

Is he fooling himself? At 34, maybe so. He did rate +8.7 a season ago, according to Pro Football Focus, including +5.6 against the run. Yet, hard to believe he would be the same player he was in Tennessee. I can't remember Bulluck making many impact plays when he was on the field in 2010.

Regardless, I think he will be finding out in a different uniform.

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Comments

I've said it since the season ended...

this guy didn’t play as bad as everyone thought he did

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 11, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

I'm glad I'm not the only one

IMO it will be a money issue more than anything else. As far as his play is concerned, I would bet he’ll be better this year than last, another year removed from the knee surgery. I didn’t think he was bad last year either. The Giants are young and inexperienced at LB otherwise, its not like there is somebody else on the roster who is clearly a better player.

I just think its doubtful that the Giants will be willing to pay as much as Detroit, for example.

by Oppenheimer919 on Jul 11, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

He was fine

He just wasn’t great, and there is no full time spot there with the Giants often using only two LBs.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 11, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

well let's hope that whole

2 LB defense gets flung out the window….

personally it doesn’t make sense IMO to bring KB back only b/c I still think Boley is better on the weak side….so my hopes are that they move him back…and find the SAM that has been elluding them the past few season.

still though….KB didn’t play bad at all in his limited snaps, coming back from knee surgery.

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 11, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Why would u get rid of a Nickel Base

The NFL is a pass first league there is no reason to keep LB’s that have no athleticism on the field. Look at the receiving corps of these NFC teams. The Packers ,Cowboys, Saints, Eagles . U will get destroyed if U keep nonathletic players with no speed on the field.

by Redijedi on Jul 11, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

that's fine in nickel

but I don’t want our Nickel D to be our Base D

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 11, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Nickel Base

Teams are running more plays from 3 receiver sets so of course U will see it evolve into the base. With the LB’s that are coming from the college ranks your going to get more and more of this. This is just the beginning

by Redijedi on Jul 11, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

well...i'm not there yet

so i’m still all about finding 3 – 3 Down LBs that can play on this team.

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 11, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry guys but I don't get this

If Goff is good, Bulluck is good and Boley is better then why does the Giant LB line suck?

I recall Boley blowing some big plays like failing to seal the edge for McCoy in the last Iggles game.

Ed, what are the PFF number for Boley if you can?

I think only Goff is worth keeping. We need new blood, these guys survive but just don’t cut it. Can’t have a weak LB line and win championships.

And one of the reasons we have so many 2 LB plays is that the LBz suck. Of course there is the Fewell bias of more CB/S to cover receivers.

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 Jul 11, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Boley

was +7.8 in 2010 (13th in the league at 4-3 OLB), but -6.7 in 2009 (46th in the league)

by Ed Valentine on Jul 11, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

who said anything about Goff and Boley?

all i said was that Bulluck wasn’t as bad as people made him out to be.

and i said Boley IMO is better on the weak side.

don’t ask me how PFF ranked Boley so positively this season…and so low last year….but i really don’t care either. I’d move Boley back to the weak side.

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 11, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Boley belongs on the weakside...absolutely

we’d be maximizing his zone defense talents.

I’d really really like Goff to move to the strongside.

Get Better, Not Bitter.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jul 11, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

Goff is a run-stopper. We need a hybrid in the middle.

"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."

by jcalafiore on Jul 11, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

A hybrid player in the middle is the optimal scenario and I’d rather a player with an edge in pass coverage. Over and over again in 2010 teams would burn our defense based on crossing routes12 yards in the middle of the field. Ever since that game versus the Saints in 2009, I have felt tentative about that area of the field while watching. Playing a 3 safety package with safety blitzes leaves room in the field that opposing receivers can exploit. A strong pass defender at middle linebacker could be the piece that solidifies fewell’s scheme.

by Jared G on Jul 11, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Easier said the done

There arent that many Strong pass defenders at MLB thats why they are turning to pumped up safeties. There arent many Brian Urlachers in there prime that are 255 pounds and can drop into a deep zone or run with an athletic TE down the seam. Find me that guy and Im all for stopping the pass with a base 4-3 until then its easier to play 3 safeties. Your going to spend all this money and draft picks on that line they better earn there paychecks and stop the run with 6.

by Redijedi on Jul 11, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

In that case...

The nickel package with a hybrid safety-linebacker could fill the gap

by Jared G on Jul 12, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I would bring him back

if we could get him for a good price. Remember how many people were ready to write off Osi after his first season back from being hurt? These injuries take a long time to come back from.

by ryanwk628 on Jul 11, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

also

this guy knows our system. I know its less of an issue on D, but with the lock out and shorter camps – FAs dont have time to get a play book in their hands and acclimate to a scheme. Thats why rookies are so far behind the eight ball this season.

by ryanwk628 on Jul 11, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

he would only show up when we played half decent teams

I think bullock got an int against the vikings and another one against the redskins. Wouldn’t really consider him effective at all.

by wrxsti28 on Jul 11, 2011 1:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The Vikings pick was one of the worst reads I have ever seen an NFL QB make

by Redijedi on Jul 11, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

If he wants to go, might as well let him go

"That took some ovaries to do" ~ Danica Patrick

by Cup Noodles on Jul 11, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

I can still remember Cofield outrunning Bulluck...

Can’t remember which it was but Cofield looked a lot faster than good ol’ Bulluck.

I think that Bulluck has experience that could benefit the whole LB group but like someone said earlier, he wants a full time job and the Giants don’t want to give him that because he lost his speed.

New York Giants French blog http://nygiantsfr.wordpress.com/ (with croissants and wine)

by Thiergow on Jul 11, 2011 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

see ya later Keith

we Hardly ever saw ya, or knew you were on the field.

Of course that is if there is a season.

by Flynner on Jul 11, 2011 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

primarily b/c he wasn't out there

when your averaging 6 snaps per quarter through 13 games….you’re simply not going to get noticed.

yet…he still edged Sintim outta the gate.

sigh

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 11, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah that's the scary part

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I will not - lose! -Jay Z-

by wilddre22 on Jul 12, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

well....it is and it isin't

IMO…it more Bulluck not getting enough credit…or playing time.

if you’ll notice in another thread someone posted a link to PFF about Q. Black

Black was one of only three 4-3 outside linebackers with positive ratings in run stopping, pass rush, pass coverage and penalties this season; James Anderson and Keith Bulluck being the other two.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/04/08/secret-superstar-quincy-black-tampa-bay-buccaneers/

the fact is, Bulluck was not that bad….and maybe some people can’t remember him making any plays, but I specifically remember two INTs….and for the life of me I can’t really remember him getting abused in pass coverage….and I think that’s because he’s smart as hell and experienced.

something that Sintim has ZERO of.

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 12, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He caught INTs

from QBs with poor decision making. Aside from that he did nothing impressive when he was on the field.

New York Giants French blog http://nygiantsfr.wordpress.com/ (with croissants and wine)

by Thiergow on Jul 12, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm curious

if bulluck was “nothing impressive”

how do you describe Boley and Goff’s ’10 campaigns?

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 12, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm in your camp andi

i was looking for 53 every Sunday. i thought he was under utilized too, but i could only assume TC and Fuel saw something that we didn’t in his game. why else would they rush to sign a proven vet coming off a major injury after one workout, and then not utilize him in the reg. season? i highly doubt he comes back to us, but i’m interested in seeing what he gives another team. that’ll justify or not the coachs decision on this one.

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I will not - lose! -Jay Z-

by wilddre22 on Jul 12, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

it's not like i'm some KB fan

I don’t have anything against the guy….but I’ve been reading comments from a lot of gmen fans and they’re pretty much panning the guy.

hey, if you want to make the arguement tha the lost a step and the coaches don’t trust him….fine….it’s probably true.

but the truth is….when he was out there….he was more than adequate.

I rarely if ever this season saw #53 getting caught sleeping or chasing down some TE or RB from behind….i saw him get washed out on a few running plays, but as a WILL kinda expected….I also saw Boley getting straight up burried on running plays…and as a SAM that’s not expected.

so i’m all about moving Boley back to weak side….there for eliminating the need for KB….but i’ll still call a spade a spade…and he didn’t play bad for us last year at all.

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 12, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Torn about Bully

I too don’t think he was that bad, I thought the Giants just did not utilize him that much. But more than anything when a guy blows out his knee it almost always takes him 2 seasons to get back to where he was before. Since Bully is an older player should we roll the dice because this is the season he should be back to normal. If we don’t bring in any other LB’s and he will play for what he did last year why not bring him back.

by Late for Dinner on Jul 12, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

welp...

I have gone on record previously saying that we should bring him back for another season.

however….there are a few factors going into this

A) Will Fewell use him?
B) where is Boley going to play? b/c if he’s staying at SAM it makes sense…if he’s moving back to WILL it doesn’t make sense.

tough call as of right now….too many unknowns i suppose.

but that’s my 2 cents

FIX IT

by andiamo708 on Jul 12, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Goff run defense was good

But he couldn’t cover.
Boley was just too inconsistent.

But I’m 100% Bulluck did not that would justify bringing him back. He is a slow 34 year old LB who had a good career and will retire soon.

New York Giants French blog http://nygiantsfr.wordpress.com/ (with croissants and wine)

by Thiergow on Jul 13, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't mind bringing him back

on the cheap, because like others have said, I think he still has something. Another year removed from ACL surgery could mean being better able to stay on the field more.

The NFL and NFLPA? They can kiss my ass, OK? They can line up and kiss my ass.

by BigBlue21 on Jul 11, 2011 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Bulluck is not good

He was very good for some years in the mid 2000’s. His production has consistently dropped over the last 5 years. At 34, we should have absolutely no expectations of the guy beyond being the adequate role player that he was last year.

this is what it sounds like when the birds cry

by pataroons on Jul 12, 2011 6:07 AM EDT reply actions