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New York Giants Re-Sign Linebacker Keenan Robinson

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) catches a pass against New York Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson (57) in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: William Glasheen/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) catches a pass against New York Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson (57) in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: William Glasheen/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants were able to re-sign linebacker Keenan Robinson, bringing him back for a second season.

The New York Giants continued their strong offseason late into the night on Monday. The Giants have gotten back to work since agreeing to a long-term contract with Jason Pierre-Paul, freeing up some more money to spend this year.

Under the franchise tag, the Giants had about $17 million tied up in Pierre-Paul. With an extension being agreed upon, the Giants freed up about $11 million more and got to work filling out the roster with it.

They filled their quarterback depth chart, signing Geno Smith and re-signing Josh Johnson. The Giants also added to their cornerback depth, signing Valentino Blake, formerly known as Antwon Blake. Now, they have brought back one of their own.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo reported that the Giants will re-sign linebacker Keenan Robinson. Garafalo shared the news on his Twitter account.

The Giants had to act quickly with Robinson, who had visited the Buffalo Bills earlier in the day according to ESPN’s Field Yates. That was his second known visit of the offseason, as he also visited the Cincinnati Bengals according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. But, Robinson was a player the Giants wanted to keep and they were ultimately able to do so.

One of the Giants’ goals coming into the offseason was to keep as much of their defense from last season intact. They are so far accomplishing that goal, as Robinson is the latest to re-up with Big Blue following Pierre-Paul.

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Robinson had a good first season with the Giants, coming over from the division rival Washington Redskins. He was credited with 79 total tackles and a career-high seven passes defended in 16 games, six of which were starts.

Some people will be disappointed in this re-signing, as Robinson graded out as one of the worst linebackers in the NFL last season according to Pro Football Focus. He finished with an overall grade of 43.4, finishing as the 78th ranked linebacker out of 87 qualifying players. While the overall grade is poor, Robinson can help the Giants defending the pass.

Robinson’s grade was so poor because he struggled to defend the run, finishing with a grade of 38, ranking 86th out of 89 players and the sixth worst run defense grade out of all linebackers. But, Robinson can be a huge help in pass defense.

For as bad as he was defending the run, he was strong against the pass. In pass coverage, Pro Football Focus gave Robinson a grade of 76.5, ranking 33rd out of 76 qualifiers. He can really help the Giants in nickel packages as a linebacker capable of defending tight ends and running backs coming out of the backfield.

With the NFL trending more and more to pass orientated, spread systems, Robinson can be a useful player for the Giants. They just have to find the right balance to playing him. Leave him on the field too much, and his weaknesses will be exposed.

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Retaining Robinson was a good move, but it should not stop the Giants from adding more help at linebacker. Robinson will help defend the pass, and is capable of playing all three linebacker spots, but the Giants could use a run stopping thumper in the middle.

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