One of the more interesting things to watch unfold for the Giants this season will be to see how well Mathias Kiwanuka transitions from defensive end to linebacker.
To me, there is no reason to believe the 6-foot-5, 265-pound second-year pro out of Boston College, won't be successful.
It's not like this transition hasn't been done before. Check the roster of Hall of Fame linebackers and and you will find several who played defensive end collegiately. Among them are Bobby Bell, Ted Hendricks and the Giants own Harry Carson.
In today's game, the Dallas Cowboys have converted Greg Ellie and DeMarcus Ware from defensive end to linebacker, and are now trying to do the same with rookie anthony Spencer. LaMarr Woodley, a 2nd-round pick, is being converted to linebacker by Pittsburgh.
So, this position switch is more common than you may have thought.
Kiwanuka has the size, speed and agility to be a force at linebacker. The primary question is likely how committed he is to learning the new position, and so far he seems to be taking to it well.
Kiwanuka had this to say to Michael Eisen of Giants.com.
After mini-camp last month Giants coach Tom Coughlin seemed pleased with Kiwanuka's progress at linebacker.
Kiwanuka could become an absolute monster at linebacker. I'm looking forward to finding out.