While the New York Giants finished off the preseason 4-0 with a victory against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, linebacker BJ Goodson certainly elevated his game.
The veteran linebacker was a fringe-roster player before the matchup but proved he can still be a productive player on the defense with five tackles and one sack in just the first quarter of the game.
Defensive coordinator James Bettcher prefers more athletic linebackers that have better instinctual attributes, as Goodson is a slower linebacker that can sometimes take longer to get to the ball-carrier than preferred. However, he made one stellar play against the Pats that might have saved him from being cut.
A sack for Bj Goodson. Unblocked? Yes, but this will happen in regular games. He’s putting in the work and I believe it will pay off with a roster spot. There’s is room for both him and Stupar. pic.twitter.com/IMUQcl5c3i
— Danny King (@DannyKing___) August 30, 2019
Some believed that Nate Stupar would earn the nod ahead of Goodson when it came to roster cuts, but it’s becoming clear that both can stick and serve a purpose next season. The experience the Clemson product brings to the defense and the familiarity with Bettcher’s scheme can’t be replaced, despite a faster, more flexible option being more ideal.
On the play above, Goodson shoots through the gap untouched for the sack. He put on the after-burners and reached the quarterback to force a second-and-long play that ultimately led to a punt.
Who else is fighting for playing time on the New York Giants?
The only other legitimate competition at the linebacker position is rookie, Ryan Connelly. The Wisconsin product has made waves this preseason with his quickness and ability to shoot gaps with precision. It will take time for him to adapt to the speed and physicality of the NFL, especially with a lack of size, but he can develop into a quality player that starts regular on the defense.
I anticipate Connelly acting as the reserve option behind Tae Davis (money-backer), due to his ability to operate in coverage but also play close to the line of scrimmage.