The Giants signed veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck, looking to fill the vacancy left by Antonio Pierce for the 2010 season.
Bulluck signed a one-year deal, worth $2.5 million on Saturday, according to bleacherreport.com.
Bulluck, 33, has played 10 seasons with the Tennessee Titans, posting solid tackling numbers and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl along the way.
Though Bulluck has always been more of an outside linebacker, he played in the middle on passing downs in Tennessee. On the Giants, Bulluck will likely have to adjust to anchoring the middle of the defense, where he says he’ll have the chance to be involved in more plays.
"If you just play on one side, you know, and you’re the dominant defensive player on your team, they’re usually trying to do things to scheme you up," Bulluck told nj.com. "The only difference to me I see is more opportunity to make plays. So in the middle, you can run at me, but you can’t run away from me."
A New York native, Bulluck relishes the challenge of playing for one of his hometown teams.
"This is what I need for me,” Bulluck told the New York Post. “I need to be somewhere where there are high expectations, not just from the organization but from the fans. This is another part of my challenge."
It may indeed prove to be a challenge.
Seven months removed from reconstructive surgery on a torn ACL in his left knee, Bulluck is not yet at 100 percent.
"The coaching staff and the training staff are going to do what they need to do to bring me along," Bulluck told the Post. "I still have to get in football shape, considering I haven't been in a camp. I'm in shape to go out and run some hundreds and gassers and all that stuff. But as far as sideline-to-sideline, getting off blocks and going to the ball, I haven't done that since December. It's just a matter of getting re-acclimated, getting in football shape."
While the injury plus his age may seem like red flags, his rehab hasn’t suffered any unexpected obstacles and there’s no reason to think Bulluck won’t be back at full strength.
"You know what, everybody else is more concerned with my knee than me," Bullock said to the Post. "In Tennessee, I always would talk about how I'm a Ferrari, so my whole thing is the Ferrari's just been in the garage for a few months getting a tune-up, blew a tire, but still has a lot of tread on it."
Whether his knee proves to be a roadblock or not, Bulluck can still help the Giants. His experience and leadership will prove to be a most valuable asset to the younger players that could use some guidance.
Antonio Pierce had that mentor role and his shoes are large ones to fill. But Bulluck is up to the task.
"Being from here I know the standards, know the history of the Giants," Bulluck told the Post. "Playing middle linebacker for the New York Giants, especially wearing No. 53 like the great Harry Carson, says a lot. Says a whole lot."
