There’s a new player in town for the New York Giants – in a bid to help the defense out going into the season’s halfway mark, and the impending trade deadline, the team made the decision to bring in former Cardinals and Buccaneers linebacker Deone Bucannon, who after being drafted in 2014 by Arizona and joining Tampa in 2018, found himself released and looking for a new team earlier in the month.
That new team ended up being the Giants, who could use production at the spot after the surprisingly well performing rookie linebacker Ryan Connelly was taken out long term with an injury. The Giants aren’t the deepest team at the linebacker spot, but they bring in a player that had 109 tackles in 2015 including 11 tackles for a loss. They have a project on their hands, however, as Bucannon’s performances haven’t stayed at that level.
Bucannon registered only 38 tackles last year with the Cardinals and after joining Tampa this year, wasn’t good enough to stay on the roster and avoid being released. What does Bucannon himself have to say about that?
“I’m the same player I was when I was a rookie. When I get on the field, I know what I can do. People know what I can do. It’s about me being on the field, or whatever my role is, whether it’s a little bit or a lot of bit,I’m going to make some plays,” the player said, shortly after joining the Giants.
“I can cover, I can play the run, I’ve always prided myself on doing that. I’ve never liked being categorized as one type of player, I can do everything,” Bucannon continued.
We’ll get to see Bucannon in action as soon as week eight when the Giants take on the Lions, and former defensive tackle Damon Harrison. At 2-3-1, Harrison’s Lions aren’t much of a better team than the Giants are in terms of record, and the game may be a chance for the Giants to stop the bleeding and snap their losing streak… If they can compete on the defensive side of the ball, unlike in their outing against Arizona.