Keith Bulluck sort of fell of the IDP fantasy radar this off-season. After a decade with the Tennessee Titan's the consistently solid linebacker found himself on the unemployment line. As of today, that is no more. The New York Giants snapped up the former first round pick, and two-time Pro-Bowler.
With Antonio Pierce retiring, the G-men had a serious need at LB, and Jonathan Goff and Chase Blackburn were clearly not the answer New York had in mind--enter Bulluck. In his 10 year career he has averaged over 100 tackles a season, including 81 solo tackles in 14 games, in 2009. He tied with Clint Session and Lance Briggs for points per game last season and ended the year, 24th overall.
Bulluck blew out his knee December 20th, and a free agent coming off injury faces an uphill battle, especially at 33 years old, but Bulluck still has gas in his tank, and something to prove.
Though he visited with the Arizona Cardinals after his initial visit with the Giants this week, it didn't take him long to make up his mind on where to play in 2010.
"He was pretty geeked up about both places," said Gary Wichard, Bulluck's agent. "Next day he calls me up and he says, 'I've been dreaming about this my whole life. I'm from New York. It's not even close.' It was his dream to play for the Giants. He grew up in New City. Like all kids his age, LT [Lawrence Taylor] was what it is about."
Tweeted Bulluck; "My time in Az has been real, accomplished a lot in the past couple months...2 words I'm gone!"
As to his injury he tweets: "If ur worried about my ONLY past injury...its a small thing 2 a NY GIANT!!! It's about 2 go down!!!!"
Bullock will move from the outside to the middle linebacker position for the Giants, which he says is no big deal:
"I consider myself a linebacker,'' Bulluck told the New York Post. "I don’t come off the field. In Tennessee I played 96 percent of the snaps. I don't come off the field, ever. I like the concept of playing middle linebacker because in Tennessee I predominantly played on the right side during the base packages. I always felt if I'm on the right they can always run to the left and make my job harder. In the middle you can’t run away from me. I don’t have a problem getting off blocks.''
--Fantasy Implications--
Look for Keith to jump back into the fantasy stat columns with another 90-100 solo tackle season and a Top 25 IDP linebacker performance.
His knee seems to be in great shape according to those familiar with his recovery, and there is no reason to believe he cannot dominate for another 2-3 seasons.
I have adjusted our Linebacker rankings to reflect his return.
