Jon Beason: Overrated or Impressive?
By Adam Ganeles
Dec 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) avoids a tackle of New York Giants middle linebacker Jon Beason (52) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Giant nation has been quick to accept Jon Beason as one of their own. In less than three months with the franchise, the seven-year vet has made the full monumental leap from unknown commodity to defensive hero. Yes, the run defense has been stout with him as a fixture. Yes, he actually looks the part and displays flashes of athleticism/burst rarely seen from “generic Giants linebacker”. And yes, he has a track record of elite performance. However, name value and gaudy tackle accumulations aside – just how good is Beason at age 28? It seems he’s been granted a free pass…
Leadership is valuable of course, but not measurable; so let’s focus on his impact during the course of play. Beason has produced a pair of huge efforts since donning the blue: 11 solo tackles and seven stops in his starting debut at Chicago, and 13 solo tackles and nine stops at Washington. In the other nine weeks he’s earned PFF grades between -2.7 and +1.0, with tackle totals between one and six. Beason plays with a high motor and diagnoses plays meticulously, but he struggles to disengage from blocks and has clearly lost a good bit of explosion.
Beason reads the play perfectly and has what appears to be a clean shot on Murray in the backfield. A nudge of a block from guard Mackenzy Bernadeau knocks him off balance and sends him reeling out of the play
GIF Credit:
11/24
His greatest attribute is playmaking against the run, not out in coverage. Opposing signal callers have a 116.6 QB Rating when targeting Beason, completing 35 of 44 passes (80%) for 467 yards (13.3) and 285 yards after the catch.
On this 3rd and 13 play Beason is matched up with a tough cover in Antonio Gates. Getting beat is one thing, but Beason appears to get carried away by a current into a different time zone altogether. He’s ten yards away from the point of reception
GIF Credit:
12/8
Photo Capture:
12/8
This is the final year on Beason’s restructured contract, but he’s already expressed a keen interest in returning: “I don’t plan on going anywhere, ever. Ever.” If the price is right – and it certainly appears that it will be – Beason will be back in the equation in 2014. Should we expect a refreshed performer with a hefty snap count under his belt, or is the body deterioration once again looming around the corner? One thing is for certain: while Beason is a fine piece of the defensive puzzle, his presence is very far from sufficient. The Jints need more talent on the second level. I expect Giant nation will become less tolerant of his shortcomings in year number two.
Follow us on twitter @GMENHQ, or follow me personally @AdamGaneles