Giants Roster Breakdown: Mark Herzlich

We have talked about Mark Herzlich and the middle linebacker job many times during the offseason. Today we get to do it again as Herzlich is next up in our player-by-player look at the 90-man roster the New York Giants will bring to training camp.

2012 Season In Review

Herzlich appeared to have a shot at taking the middle linebacker job away from Chase Blackburn a season ago, but that never happened. He ended up starting just two games and making 30 tackles while playing just 176 defensive snaps. His Pro Football Focus grade was -4.3.

[Related: Herzlich says job is 'mine to secure']

2013 Outlook

With Blackburn gone to the Carolina Panthers via free agency, Herzlich has a chance to anchor the linebacking corps.As we have previously noted, Herzlich took snaps with the first unit during OTAs and mini-camp ahead of free-agent signee Dan Connor. That does not guarantee that he will hold down the job once training camp and the preseason roll around, but it does indicate that this could be Herzlich's best chance at becoming a key defensive player for the Giants rather than a spare part and just a nice story because of his battle with cancer.