NFL.com picks Blake Martinez as Giants' 2021 MVP
The Giants defense was impressive in 2020. The unit finished ninth in points allowed (22.3) and 12th in yards allowed (349.3), a significant improvement from its NFL rankings the previous season. The defense was most impressive in the red zone, surrendering a touchdown on just 50.8 percent of opponents' trips inside the 20, the second-best mark in the league.
Several players had a big role in the defense's performance last season, one of which was linebacker Blake Martinez.
NFL.com recently predicted who the MVP would be for each team across the league, and for Big Blue, that honor belonged to the middle linebacker.
As NFL.com's Dan Hanzus writes, "Blake Martinez was one of the most unfortunate Pro Bowl snubs of 2020. The Giants signed the former Packer to a three-year deal in March of last year and he played a major role in New York's defensive turnaround under Joe Judge. The middle linebacker played 97 percent of the defensive snaps and finished the season with 151 total tackles (third in the NFL), three sacks, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and five passes defended."
Hanzus went on to highlight Martinez's leadership role on the Giants defense, referring to him as "Big Blue's Glue Guy."
Martinez has been one of the most consistent players in the league over the last four years. Since 2017, the middle linebacker has registered at least 144 tackles every season, while racking up the most total tackles in the NFL during that span.
His 75.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus was the sixth-highest among all linebackers last season.
Last month, Giants legend and two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck joined Big Blue Kickoff Live to discuss the Giants' front seven heading into the 2021 season. When it came to Martinez, Tuck could not help but compare him to Antonio Pierce, the anchor of the Giants' 2007 Super Bowl-winning defense.
View photos of linebacker Blake Martinez in his first season with the Giants.
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) flexes during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) makes a tackle during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) during a week 3 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on September 27h, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 3 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on September 27h, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) tackles Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) during a week 17 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) warms-up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on October 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during a week 17 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Blake Martinez (54) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) warms up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during a week 17 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Blake Martinez (54) plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during a week 17 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Blake Martinez reacts after a missed sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during a week 17 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez looks on against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) stops a ball carrier during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) in action on defense against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants' Blake Martinez, left, stops Arizona Cardinals' Christian Kirk during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez is pictured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) plays the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (17) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. Rams won 17-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) reacts during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, Md. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) prepares for the snap during an NFL game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, MD. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 37-34. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants' Blake Martinez warms-up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) makes a tackle during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 02, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Buccaneers beat the Giants 25-23. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) runs in pursuit during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 17-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants' Kyler Fackrell (51), Tae Crowder (48) and Blake Martinez celebrate after Martinez recovered a Dallas Cowboys' Andy Dalton fumble in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. Rams won 17-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 16, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
21 Questions: State of the offensive line
With the calendar flipped to July, Giants.com asks 21 important questions heading into the team's 2021 training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
For 21 days, a member of the Giants.com crew will answer one question about the roster, coaching staff, schedule, and much more.
Lance Medow: As it stands now, there are likely three starting positions up for grabs on the offensive line: both guard spots and right tackle. It's fair to say Andrew Thomas is the left tackle and Nick Gates has a good grasp at center after starting all 16 games at that position in 2020 for the first time in his career. Last season, Will Hernandez started seven games at left guard before having to battle COVID-19. He was replaced by Shane Lemieux, who started nine games, but his sample size is relatively small. The Giants also brought in veteran Zach Fulton after parting ways with Kevin Zeitler. Fulton has experience at right guard and left guard and has started at least 12 games in six of his seven seasons in the NFL.
With Cam Fleming joining the Broncos this off-season, Matt Peart has a shot to win the starting right tackle job, but he only played 15% of the offensive snaps last season and Nate Solder returns after opting out. While Solder hasn't played right tackle since his rookie year in 2011, he's a polished veteran, who has been in the league for a decade. Regardless of who wins the right tackle job, the Giants should be in a good position at swing tackle. The offensive line is far from a finished product, given some competition at various spots, but in all likelihood, New York will be relying on a youth movement with potentially three second year players in the starting lineup.
View photos of the Giants' roster as it currently stands.
OLB Ryan Anderson
WR Alex Bachman
RB Saquon Barkley
OT Jackson Barton
CB Sam Beal
WR C.J. Board
RB Devontae Booker
CB James Bradberry
RB Gary Brightwell
LB Cam Brown
LB TJ Brunson
OL Jake Burton
LB Lorenzo Carter
RB Corey Clement
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Tae Crowder
LB Todd Davis
WR Derrick Dillon
P Riley Dixon
LB Devante Downs
TE Evan Engram
OL Zach Fulton
K Graham Gano
LB Cale Garrett
C Nick Gates
FB Cullen Gillaspia
QB Mike Glennon
WR Kenny Golladay
TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
CB Madre Harper
LB Trent Harris
OL Jonotthan Harrison
DB Montre Hartage
C Brett Heggie
G Will Hernandez
TE Cole Hikutini
DT B.J. Hill
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Adoree' Jackson
TE Rysen John
DT Austin Johnson
DE Raymond Johnson III
QB Daniel Jones
DB Joshua Kalu
LS Casey Kreiter
DE Niko Lalos
DL Dexter Lawrence
G Shane Lemieux
OL Joe Looney
DB Julian Love
WR Austin Mack
LB Blake Martinez
DT RJ McIntosh
S Xavier McKinney
DB Chris Milton
DT David Moa
RB Alfred Morris
OL Kyle Murphy
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
LB Azeez Ojulari
OT Matt Peart
FB Elijhaa Penny
S Jabrill Peppers
DB Jordyn Peters
WR Dante Pettis
RB Sandro Platzgummer
LB Reggie Ragland
WR John Ross
CB Aaron Robinson
TE Kyle Rudolph
S Logan Ryan
P Ryan Santoso
DT Danny Shelton
WR Sterling Shepard
WR David Sills
G Chad Slade
WR Darius Slayton
LB Elerson Smith
TE Kaden Smith
OT Nate Solder
OT Andrew Thomas
QB Clayton Thorson
LS Carson Tinker
TE Levine Toilolo
WR Kadarius Toney
RB Mike Weber
G Kenny Wiggins
WR Damion Willis
CB Jarren Williams
DT Leonard Williams
CB Rodarius Williams
CB Quincy Wilson
LB Oshane Ximines
CB Isaac Yiadom
The Tackling Machine: Blake Martinez 2020 Highlights
Check out the video below to watch highlights from linebacker and defensive co-captain Blake Martinez's first season with the Giants.
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now
