Banks likes Kiwanuka at linebacker

As a former punishing outside linebacker for the Giants, Carl Banks has little trepidation and, in fact, is brimming with anticipation at the news that erstwhile defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka has been switched to strong-side linebacker. "If he's raw but has instincts, that's beautiful because you can mold him into a great linebacker," Banks told The Post.

Few played that spot better than Banks, who from 1984-92 was an important cog in two Super Bowl championship teams. Kiwanuka was considered the heir apparent to Michael Strahan, a future Hall of Famer at defensive end, but the Giants following Kiwanuka's promising rookie year have made a bold move. The jettisoning of Carlos Emmons and LaVar Arrington left the Giants depleted at linebacker. Continue