New York Giants: Post-draft linebackers breakdown
The Giants hope Markus Golden can have another breakout year under defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
While under Bettcher’s defense, Markus Golden produced 12.5 sacks in Arizona. Unfortunately, he underwent knee surgery and is still trying to find that success. Being paired up again with Bettcher seems like a smart idea for a guy looking to find success in the NFL once again.
The Cardinals applied pressure on opposing quarterbacks under Bettcher. In 2016, they led the league with 48 total team sacks. Golden says he feels “good” and is back to himself. Bettcher described him as one of the best pass rushers in the league. He could even jump Lorenzo Carter as the starting edge rusher.
"“I come in thinking I’m gonna hunt,” Golden said. “I’m hunting, every play, any time I’m on the field, every third down, first down, I’m hunting. When you think like that and work like that in practice every day, the results got to come. That’s what I always believed. It always worked out for me to just work my butt off every day and don’t worry about nothing else, it’s gonna come.”"
The Cardinals initially selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft from the University of Missouri. Golden appeared in 46 games during his first four years in Arizona, totaling 19.0 sacks, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Next. New York Giants: Post-draft defensive backs breakdown. dark
Last season Golden played mostly defensive end for the Cardinals while he recovered from knee surgery. He was unable to move freely with a brace on and admits that cost him production on the field. Now that he has taken the brace off, he feels there is no reason he can’t produce big numbers as he did just a few seasons ago.