The New York Giants made several key additions to their defense this offseason, signing the likes of veteran cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez.
Both Bradberry and Martinez will fill areas of need and play key roles from the jump. But what made them sign with a team that is in an obvious rebuilding mode?
For Martinez, it was all about finding a system that fits his style of play.
“Going through the process, I just thought about what kind of fit [would be best] for myself, individually, my play style and those types of things,” Martinez said during a Tuesday appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “Obviously, looking at the potential places I could go to, New York just jumped off the tape for me. Just seeing the guys that are on the team, the young talent across the board, obviously a new head coach [Joe Judge].
“Then my old inside linebacker coach [Patrick Graham] is now the defensive coordinator. Everything kind of just paired together easily. I was just super excited that I had the chance to go be a Giant.”
The 26-year-old Martinez is entering his fifth year in the league and will now take center stage for a team that has been lacking at the linebacker positions for years.
One of the league’s most consistent tacklers, Martinez will likely be tasked with running the defense on the field and ensuring that running backs never reach the third level.
