One-On-One With New York Giants Linebacker Cap Capi

Luck, they say, is the residue of design. That is how I feel about a conversation I had on Thursday afternoon with New York Giants linebacker Cap Capi.

I wandered over to Capi’s locker for a “get to know you” chat before it was announced that the Giants had added Capi and Deontae Skinner to the 53-man roster. I’m guessing that Capi knew at the time he was being added to the 53, and as I look back on it he didn’t tell me outright but he probably dropped a hint.

Let’s get to know a little bit more about the 25-year-old.

Four Questions With Capi

Was he surprised he didn’t make the Arizona roster?

“I was a little bit surprised. I felt like it was one of my best preseasons, I felt like I was able to finally put it all together. The Giants gave me an opportunity and I was happy with that. Any time I’ve got an opportunity I always bet on myself, so I’m glad they gave me the opportunity to come out here and show what I’ve got.

“I’m just thankful for that, having a job. There’s a couple guys out there, that’ll be the last time they ever put on pads again. Any chance I get to put on pads, whether it’s practice or in a game, I’m thankful for that.”

What will Giants fans see from him?

“They’re going to see relentless effort. There’s nothing better than going out, making plays. Just do anything to go out there and make plays -- plays equal wins.”

What do you do best?

“People notice the pass rush, but I play the run pretty good. I had a couple tackles for loss in the preseason, But, yeah, I’m a pass rush specialist. I really enjoy pass rush. … The feeling of getting a sack is unexplainable.”

Is it hard to stay optimistic while bouncing from team to team?

(The Giants are Capi’s fifth NFL organization in three seasons)

“Sometimes it’s kind of tough to stay optimistic. Sometimes you’re just sitting at home, training, waiting on a call just to even be on a practice squad. You really want to stay optimistic -- you’ve got your family behind you believing in you. Sometimes it’s tough, but you know what you can do. You just believe in yourself and keep working and the opportunity will come. I’ve been at it for three years and the opportunity has come.”

More About Capi

An NFC scout told me it was a “real surprise” when the Cardinals cut Capi, and gave me this quickie report on him:

“Giants fans should be excited about Cap Capi. He has really good speed and bend and has a good ability to run the arc to pressure the quarterback. He is a high-energy guy and plays hard every down with very good competitive toughness. He has the ability to develop into a starter with some more refining and will contribute immediately on special teams.”

Capi had 13 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits in five preseason games for Arizona.

Seth Cox of SB Nation’s Cardinals web site, Revenge of the Birds, had great things to say about Capi after the Giants picked him up:

Cap Capi seems to be an odd fit in New York, not sure where they are lining him up.

However, what you know you'll get from Capi is 100 percent on every play, maybe to a fault.

Cardinals fans came to adore Capi this preseaon, see a lot of Markus Golden in his game, a relentless, hard working, non-stop motor. It made him seem like a lock for the roster in 2017, as he was the best pass rushing linebacker on the team in the preseason.

Maybe there is something we don't know: freelanced too much? Locker room issues? Didn't practice the same way he played?

All I know is that if/when he gets a chance, Giants fans will love watching him play.

Giants fans are about to get that chance.