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Defensive Notes

Ultra-productive linebackers

Giants dump Martinez

It's never a total shock when veteran players coming off injury are released, but the Giants cutting starting middle linebacker Blake Martinez yesterday was surprising. The team cut down to 53 players on Tuesday and kept him then, and they don't really have a proven replacement. But the NFL's 3rd-leading tackler as recently as 2020 is on the street.

The Giants have a brand-new coaching staff, one that apparently didn't like what it saw out of Martinez this preseason. The release is being called a mutual decision; okay. Time marches onward.

One clear beneficiary is third-year linebacker Tae Crowder; he had 130 total tackles a year ago, and will be looked to to repeat those numbers. The other inside spot, we're thinking, will be filled by a rookie, fifth-rounder Micah McFadden. He had 77 total tackles and 6.5 sacks at Indiana last year, and turned in a strong preseason. His presence was probably a factor in the team being comfortable moving on from Martinez. Crowder is the safer pick in IDP leagues; McFadden is a later-round speculative choice who could play off handsomely.

As for Martinez, I don't think he'll be unemployed for long. He's 28 years old and should have a couple good years left. The years so far have been very good.

Over the past decade, there have been 54 seasons where a linebacker had at least 140 tackles, so about five per year. Only three guys have done it four times: Luke Kuechly, Bobby Wagner and Martinez. (Date compiled using the search tools at pro-football-reference.com.)

140-TACKLE LINEBACKERS, 2012-2021
PlayerSeasonTeamGSoloAstComb
Foyesade Oluokun2021ATL1710290192
Jordyn Brooks2021SEA1710975184
Vontaze Burfict2013CIN1611457171
Bobby Wagner2021SEA169377170
C.J. Mosley2021NYJ1610365168
Bobby Wagner2016SEA168582167
Zach Cunningham2020HOU1610658164
Luke Kuechly2012CAR1610361164
Darius Leonard2018IND1511152163
Roquan Smith2021CHI179568163
Paul Posluszny2013JAX1512240162
Kiko Alonso2013BUF168772159
Bobby Wagner2019SEA168673159
Luke Kuechly2013CAR169363156
Blake Martinez2019GNB169758155
NaVorro Bowman2015SFO1611638154
Denzel Perryman2021LVR1510252154
Jaylon Smith2020DAL168965154
Luke Kuechly2014CAR169954153
DeAndre Levy2014DET1611734151
Blake Martinez2020NYG168665151
Jordan Hicks2019ARI169357150
D'Qwell Jackson2015IND168961150
Zach Brown2016BUF169752149
NaVorro Bowman2012SFO169652148
Chad Greenway2012MIN169850148
Christian Kirksey2016CLE169652148
Lavonte David2015TAM168562147
Jerod Mayo2012NWE168859147
De'Vondre Campbell2021GNB1610244146
Lavonte David2014TAM1410145146
Kwon Alexander2016TAM1610837145
NaVorro Bowman2013SFO1612025145
Lavonte David2013TAM1610738145
Jerrell Freeman2012IND169055145
Sean Lee2016DAL159352145
Preston Brown2017BUF168460144
Luke Kuechly2019CAR168163144
Curtis Lofton2014NOR169945144
Blake Martinez2018GNB169153144
Blake Martinez2017GNB169648144
Joe Schobert2017CLE168757144
Kyzir White2021LAC179054144
Eric Kendricks2021MIN158162143
Zach Cunningham2019HOU169943142
Cole Holcomb2021WAS168359142
James Laurinaitis2012STL1611725142
Jaylon Smith2019DAL168359142
Paul Worrilow2014ATL168458142
D'Qwell Jackson2013CLE167566141
Joe Schobert2020JAX168457141
Leighton Vander Esch2018DAL1610238140
Bobby Wagner2012SEA168753140
Devin White2020TAM159743140

Wagner, of course, was also released this offseason, and the Rams were happy to bring him in and install him in the middle of their defense. Martinez is coming off injury, and the timing of the move just a week before the start of the season makes it less likely there's a team out there that will immediately add him and put him in its starting lineup.

But I do think he'll sign and have some value this season. A 140-tackle season is probably pushing it, but he should be a starter somewhere before long.

--Andy Richardson

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