New York Giants sign Blake Martinez: Grade, reaction and more
General manager Dave Gettleman is adding another piece to a defense in dire need of assistance. How can linebacker Blake Martinez help the New York Giants?
It’s a franchise that has won a total of 12 games since its last playoff appearance in 2016. The New York Giants are still under the guidance of general manager Dave Gettleman but after two seasons, the team has moved on from head coach Pat Shurmur. Enter Joe Judge and so far this offseason, the emphasis for the club has been trying to fix a defense that has struggled badly each of the past three years.
So far this month, the Giants have parted ways with linebacker Alec Ogletree, put the franchise tag on defensive tackle Leonard Williams, brought back underrated linebacker David Mayo – a positive for a club that ranked 25th in yards allowed in 2019 – and added former Carolina Panthers’ cornerback James Bradberry. Gettleman was that team’s general manager back in ’16 when the productive defensive back was a second-round selection.
Now Big Blue has signed another four-year veteran in the form of linebacker Blake Martinez, who racked up big numbers with the Green Bay Packers during his stay with the franchise.
Contract Details
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Martinez agreeing to a deal with the Giants and colleague Ian Rapoport explained that it was for three years and $30 million.
National Reaction
Giants, LB Blake Martinez agree to three-year, $30M deal. (via @MikeGarafolo + @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/uddGKlYnhe
— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2020
Blake Martinez was second behind only Bobby Wagner in tackles last season with 155 😤pic.twitter.com/HUYgLcEh7V
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) March 17, 2020
Giants adding LB Blake Martinez and CB James Bradberry to a defense in need of repair is a solid start to free agency, with more work to be done.
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) March 17, 2020
Giants were adamant about adding a veteran corner and an inside linebacker.
Blake Martinez has earned top-level grades in all facets of the game so far in his career but hasn't been able to put them all together in the same season.
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) March 17, 2020
- 57.7 overall grade in 2019
- 74 overall grade in 2018 (82.6 in coverage.)
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In 2017, Martinez led the Packers with 142 tackles and two more on special teams. He elevated that number to 144 defensive stops the following season and comes off a campaign in which he paced Matt LaFleur’s club with 155 total tackles.
So why was Green Bay 22nd in the league vs. the run in 2018 and 23rd this past year? And how did the San Francisco 49ers roll up 285 yards on the ground in the NFC title game? In their current linebacker rankings, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) doesn’t have Martinez in its Top 50 and his grade vs. the run is below average.
Despite the impressive statistics, the jury is still very much out on the former fourth-round pick from Stanford.