Giants' under-the-radar player to watch: Tae Crowder
Giants linebacker Tae Crowder poses for a photo on the sidelines during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on Aug. 2. Credit: Brad Penner
TAE CROWDER
Quick: Who led the Giants in tackles last season?
If you guessed Tae Crowder, you are right (and you probably Googled it first because it felt as if it was the quietest 130-tackle seasons in NFL history).
The one-time Mr. Irrelevant as the final player selected in the 2020 draft figures to have a similarly significant role in this year’s defense, one that will only be amplified by the release of veteran Blake Martinez last week that left Crowder as the elder statesman in the position group. Crowder stepped in when Martinez tore his ACL a year ago and played well.
Now, in Wink Martindale’s new defensive scheme, he’ll be asked to play a more aggressive, athletically-demanding style of play. If he can keep up with those demands he may have the type of season that not only leads the team in tackles but forced people to notice him doing so.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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