Reviewing New York Giants’ free agent signings, who’s next?
By Henry Buggy
#2 – Kareem Martin
The G-Men have made an investment in Martin, signing him to a reported three-year, $21 million deal that includes $7.5 million guaranteed.
The move reunites Martin with Big Blue’s new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. The two spent the past four seasons together in Arizona. The Cardinals selected the 6-foot-6, 272-pound outside linebacker in the third-round of the 2014 draft.
He has the versatility the Giants are looking for in their newly implemented defense. Martin understands how important the outside linebacker position is in Bettcher’s defense, via New York’s team website.
"“We have the most responsibilities. We’re expected to set the edge on the run, rush the quarterback and drop in coverage. As far as learning curve goes, there is a slight learning curve, but when JB, when he was in Arizona, he started with the outside linebackers, so he spends a lot of time with those guys to make sure that we understand the in’s and out’s of the defense because he’s going to expect a lot from us in that position. So he’s going to do his due diligence and spend the time with us to make sure that each individual in there can play to the best of their abilities in this defense.”"
Martin started a career-high 10 games in 2017. He recorded 24 tackles, three passes defended, two tackles for a loss, one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble.
The Giants needed to add impact players and depth to their edge positions. Martin has shown the ability to drop in coverage or put his hand in the dirt and line up opposite an offensive tackle.
He joins a defense that features Jason Pierre-Paul and Oliver Vernon off the edge. Martin believes Big Blue has the pieces to be one of the league’s top defenses.
"“It’s going to be a relentless defense. We’re a heavy blitz team in the past years and he likes to get guys run up the field and I think that’s what the guys are going to be really excited about, especially the guys up front. It’s a one gap defense, so the guys up front, the outside linebackers and D-line, we’re just expected to go straight, hit the gap and cause disruption. You look at the last few weeks of our season last year, that’s what we did in Arizona, and I can fully expect with the guys that we have here that we will do the same and easily compete with the talent and with this scheme, this could be a top defense in the NFL.”"
Bettcher’s defenses posted three consecutive top six finishes in terms of yards allowed during his three-year tenure as Arizona’s defensive coordinator.