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International Man of Mystery
Finally, on the third day, the Giants took a linebacker.
The Giants drafted Nebraska middle linebacker Phillip Dillard in the fourth round with the 115th overall selection. The 6-foot, 245-pound Dillard was rated as the eighth-best middle linebacker in the draft by ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay.
The Giants have gone defense with their first four draft picks, as general manager Jerry Reese has made it clear he will not tolerate another season like last year when the Giants finished 8-8 and had difficulties stopping teams.
The Giants' most pressing need entering the draft was at middle linebacker, to replace Antonio Pierce, who was released earlier this year. But Reese selected South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul with the 15th overall pick, East Carolina defensive tackle Linval Joseph in the second round, and LSU safety Chad Jones in the third. Marc Ross, the Giants' director of college scouting, said there was a big drop-off after Alabama's Rolando McClain, the top-rated middle linebacker in the draft who was taken eighth overall by the Raiders.
The Raiders then traded veteran middle linebacker Kirk Morrison to the Jaguars for the 108th pick in the fourth round, eight picks before the Giants took Dillard.
Dillard will certainly have an opportunity to compete for the starting middle linebacker job. He does have a history of injuries, but he says he is healthy now. He missed all but the season opener of the 2006 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He also sat out the last four games of the 2008 season with an ankle injury.
Dillard, who played alongside the second overall pick in the draft. defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, was thrilled to go to the Giants and hopes he can help fill the Pierce void.
"I know that he left and I know the Giants are a good fit for me," Dillard said.
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The Giants drafted Nebraska middle linebacker Phillip Dillard in the fourth round with the 115th overall selection. The 6-foot, 245-pound Dillard was rated as the eighth-best middle linebacker in the draft by ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay.
The Giants have gone defense with their first four draft picks, as general manager Jerry Reese has made it clear he will not tolerate another season like last year when the Giants finished 8-8 and had difficulties stopping teams.
The Giants' most pressing need entering the draft was at middle linebacker, to replace Antonio Pierce, who was released earlier this year. But Reese selected South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul with the 15th overall pick, East Carolina defensive tackle Linval Joseph in the second round, and LSU safety Chad Jones in the third. Marc Ross, the Giants' director of college scouting, said there was a big drop-off after Alabama's Rolando McClain, the top-rated middle linebacker in the draft who was taken eighth overall by the Raiders.
The Raiders then traded veteran middle linebacker Kirk Morrison to the Jaguars for the 108th pick in the fourth round, eight picks before the Giants took Dillard.
Dillard will certainly have an opportunity to compete for the starting middle linebacker job. He does have a history of injuries, but he says he is healthy now. He missed all but the season opener of the 2006 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He also sat out the last four games of the 2008 season with an ankle injury.
Dillard, who played alongside the second overall pick in the draft. defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, was thrilled to go to the Giants and hopes he can help fill the Pierce void.
"I know that he left and I know the Giants are a good fit for me," Dillard said.
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