National Football League

Giants should sign Kyle Arrington to fill nickel CB void

Published May. 12, 2015 9:17 a.m. ET

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On Saturday, making his first public comments since re-joining the New York Giants as defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo singled at nickel cornerback as a defensive area that still needs to be addressed. In a league moving toward more three wide receiver offensive personnel packages, Spagnuolo recognizes that finding a third cornerback to play in the slot is almost like finding another starter. 

"That's one we're trying to feel through, to be honest with you," Spagnuolo said. "As we go through the OTAs, there'll be a number of guys working in and out of there. So I'm not sure I have an answer for that right now. There were some guys who did it a little bit last year and some guys we added."

The first two defensive backs tried at the nickel in 2014 did not make it through the midway point of the season before suffering year-ending injuries. Walter Thurmond is no longer with the team after bolting in free agency and Trumaine McBride may be the current favorite, but he has never proven himself in the eyes of Spagnuolo.

One player who Spagnuolo has had a chance to personally coach against in his former job on the Ravens defensive staff is Kyle Arrington. The Patriots released Arrington on Monday in what was most likely a cap-dependent decision. Arrington was set to count $4.625 million against the Patriots' salary cap, and that is certainly a big chunk of cap to allocate to a slot cornerback.

Unlike other free agent cornerbacks still on the market, Arrington offers the Giants starting caliber talent at a position of need. Entering his age 29 season, Arrington brings experience. He has served as the Patriots' nickel cornerback since the 2010 season. There would be no learning curve on the inside for Arrington, and that is something Spagnuolo would have to deal with if he tried out any of the Giants' current stable of defensive backs in the slot other than McBride.

More importantly, Arrington has quietly been productive every season as the Patriots' nickel. According to Pro Football Focus, an independent website that charts and grades individual players on a per-snap basis, Arrington's has put together three very productive seasons at the nickel in 2011, 2013 and 2014. In 2013, he finished ranked as PFF's 21st-best cornerback overall out of 110 qualifiers. Last season, he finished as their 36th-best overall out of 108 qualifiers.

One area of Arrington's game that has never dropped off is his ability to rush the passer from the slot. Over the last three seasons, Arrington has graded out as one of PFF's 20 best cornerbacks in pass rush grade. He has racked up five sacks over the last three seasons.

The ability to rush the passer from the nickel cornerback spot is key in a Steve Spagnuolo defense. Unlike former Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, Spagnuolo believes in an attacking and aggressive defense. Long gone are the days of read-and-react zone defenses. If Spagnuolo is calling for the defense to drop into a zone, it likely means he will be sending pressure from an unexpected area. Quite often, that spot will be the inside nickel cornerback.

According to Pro Football Focus, in the 2007 season with Spagnuolo serving as the defensive coordinator, the Giants' top four cornerbacks finished in the top 20 at their position in pass rush grade. Aaron Ross and R.W. McQuarters played the majority of the slot snaps combined. The duo racked up two sacks, six quarterback hits and seven additional quarterback hurries. In 2014, not a single team's nickel cornerback combination combined for more than one sack and three quarterback hits.

Arrington is solid in both pass coverage and against the run, but most importantly he can add the pass rush dimension that Spagnuolo's defenses thrive on. Giants general manager Jerry Reese is always looking to improve his roster throughout the offseason. Don't be surprised to see the Giants bring Arrington in for a visit in the coming days.

Photo Credit: Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports

For more on the Giants and the rest of the NFC East, you can find Dan on Twitter @DanSchneierNFL

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