Greg

Jones

Fewell did say he anticipates “competition” at MIKE, naming Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones, and Keith Rivers as Blackburn’s competitors. Blackburn is more of a fill-in, replacement-level middle linebacker, though he is an adequate run stuffer. It sounds like Michael Boley is staying on the weak side for now.

The Giants appear set to let free agents Chase Blackburn and Jonathan Goff walk, while Mark Herzlich is an injury question mark and 2011 sixth-round pick Greg Jones proved unready to be a starter as a rookie. A career outside linebacker, Boley’s 93 tackles last season were his most since arriving in New York in 2009. His production could skyrocket if moved to the middle.

Jones opened last year as the Giants’ starting middle linebacker, but faceplanted and finished out the season as a special teamer. He was moved to outside linebacker this offseason. Jones lacks ideal size for the inside and doesn’t have enough speed for the outside.

Jones failed in an early-season audition at middle linebacker last year, finishing out his rookie season as a reserve and special teamer. A 2011 sixth-round pick out of Michigan State, Jones is battling for a roster spot in 2012.

Jones, a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 2011, actually opened his rookie year as a starter. But he was quickly demoted, finished out the year as a special teamer and was then released at final cuts. Jones will be depth behind Paul Posluszny in Jacksonville.

Jones managed four tackles in Week 1, leaving the field on passing downs and playing just over 50 percent of the snaps. The Giants were pleased with Jones’ run defense, however, and Pro Football Focus gave him a top-15 run-stopping inside linebacker grade in the opener. Jones’ role figures to grow so long as his performance doesn’t tail off. He’s about an LB4 in IDP leagues.

The 2011 sixth-rounder was waived nine days ago. Jones appeared in just six games last season, notching four tackles. He’s a camp body.

Jones fractured his leg in Sunday’s Week 16 loss to the Patriots. He appeared in six games for the Jags after getting waived by the Giants this season, making four tackles as a primary special teamer.

They signed rookie minicamp standouts RB De’Leon Eskridge and DE J.D. Griggs. Jones was a decorated college player at Michigan State, but has flamed out fast in the NFL after “falling” to the sixth round of the 2011 draft.

Guenther is also the Bengals’ linebackers coach. He believes Jones’ sub-6'0" frame “would not hold up” at his college position. We heard the same of London Fletcher and Stephen Tulloch, of course, and they’ve fared just fine. Fletcher is generously listed at 5-foot-10, while Tulloch is 5-foot-11.