From Hutchinson's blog at the Newark Star-Ledgar's website: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Giants, Jets eye free-agent Jackson Free-agent defensive tackle Grady Jackson is double-dipping in the area today. After a morning visit with the Jets, Jackson is on his way to East Rutherford to meet with the Giants this afternoon, according to his agent, Angelo Wright. Jackson is a 10-year veteran who has played for the Raiders, Saints and Packers in his career. During his last four seasons in Oakland, Jackson worked with defensive line coach Mike Waufle, who has been a member of Giants coach Tom Coughlin's staff for the past three years. The Giants lost defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy on the first day of free agency and have been trying to replace him since. Fred Robbins has been the starter at the nose for all of training camp so far, but he was unimpressive in the team's preseason opener against the Ravens on Friday night.
DE's don't really pass rush in the 3-4. They more importantly need to take up space and allow our LB corp to make plays. Ellis I had a good year in the 3-4 sack wise under Parcells but if you look at the better 3-4 teams they have their rush coming from the LB corp.
Exactly right. You want some sacks from the DE spot, but for the most part, you want it from the blitzing OLBs. That being said, Robertson fits the 3-4 DE spot VERY well, and Ellis does, too. For a 3-4, those would be 2 great ends. Robertson would have to shuffle inside and out, though, because the depth at DT would be weak even if we signed Grady, and asking him to start right away is a little tough.