Our GM

[jerseyguy]

Jaime,

Chase brings more to the table than just his pure athleticism ...  He's been in the system long enough. He brings top-notch work ethic and hustle which was sorely missing on specials. He's a poor man's Antonio Pierce; he doesn't have the physical attributes but he makes up for it with his understanding of the game and, more importantly, his understanding of Giants defense. He also brings the stability and communication skills that were sorely lacking during our slump. Those things can't be measured in the box score. The weakest link isn't so glaring when you reinforce it. That's what Chase has done to the LB corp.

well said and I couldn't agree more...

[MightyGiants]

Well put T200 - I am not "knocking" Chase's contributions to the team.  But as Jaime pointed out, Chase is taken off the field in passing downs and is only on the field about 30% of the downs.  So, with all due respect, I think a lot of fans (on radio and in print) are pointing to Blackburn's addition as one of the key elements in the Giants' defensive resurgence. I believe if Herzlich was healthy and on the field, we would be pointing to him as the key as Blackburn wouldn't even be on the team.  So I am still of the belief that Blackburn's contributions have been minimal and nothing long term that the Giants will be looking for.

Instead, I would credit the pass rush, a health Boley and improved communication in the secondary as the reasons why the Giants are playing better defensively.  However, let's also remember that Green Bay had a lot of wide open receivers and a lot of drops.  So I still feel that Kiwi and Blackburn are not the answers at LB and that the "back end of the defense" (KP, Rolle and Grant) is sub-par and a weak link that needs upgrading in the offseason.

There's a flaw in that reasoning.   See before the Giants got Blackburn back the middle of the run defense was porous.  So the were far fewer obvious passing downs.   Now that Chase has shored up the middle, teams are not as effective running the ball up the middle of the field.

[andrew_nyg]

Well put T200 - I am not "knocking" Chase's contributions to the team.  But as Jaime pointed out, Chase is taken off the field in passing downs and is only on the field about 30% of the downs.  So, with all due respect, I think a lot of fans (on radio and in print) are pointing to Blackburn's addition as one of the key elements in the Giants' defensive resurgence. I believe if Herzlich was healthy and on the field, we would be pointing to him as the key as Blackburn wouldn't even be on the team.  So I am still of the belief that Blackburn's contributions have been minimal and nothing long term that the Giants will be looking for.

Instead, I would credit the pass rush, a health Boley and improved communication in the secondary as the reasons why the Giants are playing better defensively.  However, let's also remember that Green Bay had a lot of wide open receivers and a lot of drops.  So I still feel that Kiwi and Blackburn are not the answers at LB and that the "back end of the defense" (KP, Rolle and Grant) is sub-par and a weak link that needs upgrading in the offseason.

There's a flaw in that reasoning.   See before the Giants got Blackburn back the middle of the run defense was porous.  So the were far fewer obvious passing downs.   Now that Chase has shored up the middle, teams are not as effective running the ball up the middle of the field.

+100 Rich

Chase has been a steadying influence for the young guys, has discipline to hold lane integrity that they had not yet picked up...and his overall attitude has been contagious to the defense AND special teams!

IMHO, he's the defensive equivalent of bringing McConkey back in the '86 season.

[St Marys]

Well put T200 - I am not "knocking" Chase's contributions to the team.  But as Jaime pointed out, Chase is taken off the field in passing downs and is only on the field about 30% of the downs.  So, with all due respect, I think a lot of fans (on radio and in print) are pointing to Blackburn's addition as one of the key elements in the Giants' defensive resurgence. I believe if Herzlich was healthy and on the field, we would be pointing to him as the key as Blackburn wouldn't even be on the team.  So I am still of the belief that Blackburn's contributions have been minimal and nothing long term that the Giants will be looking for.

Instead, I would credit the pass rush, a health Boley and improved communication in the secondary as the reasons why the Giants are playing better defensively.  However, let's also remember that Green Bay had a lot of wide open receivers and a lot of drops.  So I still feel that Kiwi and Blackburn are not the answers at LB and that the "back end of the defense" (KP, Rolle and Grant) is sub-par and a weak link that needs upgrading in the offseason.

There's a flaw in that reasoning.   See before the Giants got Blackburn back the middle of the run defense was porous.  So the were far fewer obvious passing downs.   Now that Chase has shored up the middle, teams are not as effective running the ball up the middle of the field.

True enough.   Everyone was running for kicks earlier in the season.  That isn't happening as much now.

[jimv]

As I've said before, Chase should be the Comeback Player of the Year.