News: The agent for Chase Blackburn says the former Giants linebacker has agreed on a two-year contract with the Panthers. Richard Katz said Wednesday his client is "thrilled" to join the Panthers. Blackburn has primarily been a special teams player during his eight seasons with the Giants, but started 15 games last season at middle linebacker and had 64 tackles, three sacks and one interception. It's unclear if Blackburn can break into a starting lineup in Carolina that includes AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Kuechly, Jon Beason and Thomas Davis. Blackburn has played in 113 games during his career and started 36. Financial terms weren't released.
Analysis: Blackburn has minimal Fantasy value in the majority of IDP leagues. He's not worth drafting in most formats, but he could be added off the waiver wire if he starts off the season playing well.
News: Giants have expressed interest in re-signing linebacker Chase Blackburn for a ninth season, according to the New York Post. Blackburn is set to become an unrestricted free agent. “We believe Chase has been very valuable to the club, both on and off the field," said Richard Katz, Blackburn’s agent. "Right now we are assessing his dollar value to the Giants and reviewing all possible alternatives including the Giants.”
Analysis: The Giants already parted ways with Michael Boley last week but seem to be interested in bring back the 29-year-old for the right price. Blackburn enjoyed a career-campaign, as he finished 2012 with 98 tackles, five forced fumbles, one interception and three sacks. He should be viewed as a decent Fantasy linebacker in most IDP formats come Draft Day.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn totaled seven tackles (five solo) and one pass defense Week 15 at Atlanta. He has 84 tackles, three sacks and one interception in 13 games.
Analysis: Blackburn is having a career campaign and everyone is now quite familiar with his comeback story. He has shored up the Giants' linebacker corps and has become a viable Fantasy start in IDP formats.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn picked up his third sack of the season during Sunday's contest against the Packers in Week 12. Blackburn took down Aaron Rodgers in the final play of the first quarter and finished with six tackles (four solo) in a 38-10 victory.
Analysis: Blackburn has collected 61 tackles, including three sacks through his first 11 games and is on pace to reach near 90 tackles this season. Fantasy owners should view him as a low-end IDP option in deeper formats heading into Week 12.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn left Week 8 against the Cowboys in the second half due to a hamstring injury and has been ruled out for the remainder of the game. Blackburn recorded five tackles before the early exit.
Analysis: Blackburn has racked up 47 tackles through eight games and also has two sacks to go with an interception. Keep an eye on his status leading up to Week 9 against the Steelers as the 29-year-old is a viable Fantasy option in deeper IDP formats, when healthy.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn totaled 10 tackles (six solo) and forced two fumbles Week 7 vs. Washington. It was the second time he managed 10 tackles in a game this season. He has 41 tackles in seven games.
Analysis: Blackburn has been very good as the Giants' middle linebacker this season. On top of 41 tackles, he has two sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. Blackburn definitely has Fantasy value in deep IDP formats.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn totaled four tackles (three solo) and one interception Week 5 vs. Cleveland. It was his fourth career interception.
Analysis: Blackburn has 26 tackles, two sacks and one interception through five games. He has been a nice all-around playmaker for the Giants at middle linebacker. Consider Blackburn a viable low-end Fantasy linebacker in IDP formats.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn enjoyed a productive day defensively during Sunday's contest against the Eagles in Week 4. Blackburn led the team with 10 tackles, including eight solo and a sack in a 19-17 defeat.
Analysis: Blackburn doubled his tackle total during Sunday's game as he now has 19 tackles and two sacks through his first four games. He is off to a good start, but Blackburn remains more of a low-end Fantasy option in IDP formats.
News: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn totaled five tackles (three solo) and one sack Week 2 against the Bucs. He has 11 tackles (eight solo) and one sack through two games.
Analysis: Blackburn has had an amazing comeback story. He was out of football before the Giants gave him another chance in 2011 after their linebacker corps were depleted by injuries. Blackburn then became a Super Bowl hero and is now the starting middle linebacker in 2012. He is off to a good start, but Blackburn remains more of a low-end Fantasy option in IDP formats.
News: The Giants have re-signed middle linebacker Chase Blackburn, a key to their run to last season's Super Bowl title. Also a special teams leader, Blackburn was out of football last year until late November, when the Giants brought him back following injuries to other linebackers. His steady play culminated in an interception of Tom Brady's pass in the 21-17 Super Bowl win.
Analysis: Blackburn is familiar with the Giants' defensive scheme and should battle for playing time in camp. We still would not recommend him in drafts.
News: The Giants signed LB Chase Blackburn on Wednesday.
Analysis: Blackburn has been sitting idle this season until now, but he has been with the Giants since 2005. He knows their defense and should acclimate quickly, but he is merely LB depth. Leave him on Fantasy waivers until further notice.
News: Giants LB Chase Blackburn left Sunday's Week 1 game against the Panthers with a knee injury and did not return. He was diagnosed with a sprained knee.
Analysis: Blackburn did not have any tackles prior to being removed from the game. He is not a viable IDP option when healthy and should be left off Fantasy rosters.
News: Giants LB Jonathan Goff may start over Chase Blackburn on Sunday after Goff took many first-team reps with the defense. The second-year player out of Vanderbilt did see some time at MLB against the Raiders in during Week 5. "(Goff) understands his job. He's a kid that will get the job done," LB Danny Clark said.
Analysis: Goff is worth a flier for IDP league owners since he could start and log significant minutes and come up with seven-plus total tackles. Don't start him, but add him to your roster in deeper leagues. Blackburn's time in the starting lineup seems to be coming to an end.
News: Giants LB Antonio Pierce (neck), who had already been ruled out for Week 11 against Atlanta, was deactivated for the game. He suffered a bulging disc that will sideline him indefinitely. Chase Blackburn got the start in his place.
Analysis: Pierce could miss several weeks with this injury and Fantasy owners will have to continue to keep tabs on his progress. The Giants have come out and said that they are optimistic he could return sooner than most people are anticipating, but there is still no definitive timetable. Blackburn's appeal gets a boost in IDP leagues as his tackle total should increase.
News:Chase Blackburn will start at weakside linebacker for the Giants with Michael Boley expected to be sidelined a month following surgery on his right knee.
Analysis: Blackburn isn't expected to be productive enough to warrant Fantasy use. Keep him off of rosters until further notice.
News: Giants LB Chase Blackburn got the start at middle linebacker in Week 7 against the 49ers with Antonio Pierce inactive. He recorded eight solo tackles and two assists with a sack and a forced fumble.
Analysis: Blackburn did a great job of filling in for Pierce, but he's likely headed back to a backup role in Week 8 at Pittsburgh. He's worth scooping up just in case, but won't be a recommended starter in IDP unless the Giants deactivate Pierce again.
News: Giants LB Antonio Pierce (ankle) did not practice Wednesday as the team prepares for Week 14 at Philadelphia. Chase Blackburn has worked at middle linebacker and could start there if Pierce is unable to play.
Analysis: Blackburn sees most of his reps on special teams, but is a capable backup if Pierce is ever unable to play. He is not nearly as good as Pierce, but can be used as a stopgap Fantasy option if necessary.
News: Pro Bowl middle linebacker Antonio Pierce vowed to play for the New York Giants against the Detroit Lions despite nagging "little headaches" from a concussion suffered last weekend. "If I ain't totally broke and I can play and run, I should be out there, and I think I will be," Pierce said Thursday after missing his second straight day of practice for Sunday's game in Detroit. Pierce refused to say whether the medical staff had cleared him to practice, noting that he had cleared himself to work out on Friday. If Pierce is unable to play, third-year linebacker Chase Blackburn would start.
Analysis: Blackburn has started only two games, but he has played well when given the opportunity. He had five tackles and a sack in the wild-card playoff game against Philadelphia last season playing in nickel situations. "When you are out there with the ones and running defensive reps, you get more excited and more built up because you want them to have confidence in you," said Blackburn, who also would replace Pierce in making the calls for the linebackers and the defensive fronts. Blackburn would merely be a stopgap Fantasy option for Week 11, if he starts in place of Pierce. Continue to follow the news.
News: Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said Thursday that backup linebacker Chase Blackburn seems to have recovered from a freakish accident after Sunday's night game against the Eagles. Blackburn was cleaning his ear with a cotton swab when he was bumped by a reporter. The swab nearly ruptured his ear drum and the linebacker dropped to the floor. Blackburn's ear bled and his temporarily lost hearing. "I can't tell you how many times in my career that I have been aware of that taking place," Coughlin said. "Its just a dangerous thing. I don't see anything different from Chase on the practice field, though."
Analysis: Blackburn mostly does his work on special teams for the Giants and has no Fantasy value at this time. It's good to hear though he did not suffer any serious injury because of the freak accident.
News: The Newark Star-Ledger reports that LB Chase Blackburn is close to signing a four-year extension with the Giants. If he stays with the team, he'll compete for a starting job in 2007.
Analysis: Blackburn is not a recommended Fantasy option unless he somehow lands the MLB spot in New York, and we don't think that's a reality. Look elsewhere for a Fantasy linebacker.
News: Chase Blackburn was carted off the field in an apparent neck injury after colliding with Chris Cooley in Week 16 at Washington.
Analysis: Blackburn had already scored a TD on a 31-yard interception return.
News: According to reports, Chase Blackburn will start at MLB for the N.Y. Giants in Week 16."I've given myself a little confidence boost knowing that now I am able to perform in the NFL," Blackburn said. "Now I just need to continue to do so."
Analysis: Nick Greisen will go back to outside linebacker position. Blackburn recorded nine tackles last week and is a decent desperation option in IDP leagues.
News: The Giants' starting linebackers will be Antonio Pierce in the middle, flanked by WLB Nick Greisen and ... take your best guess. It is possible free-agent rookie MLB Chase Blackburn will get an emergency start on the strong side, but it is far more likely Reggie Torbor (questionable: ankle) or Carlos Emmons (questionable: ankle) will be ready by Sunday.
Analysis: Pierce is really the only worthwhile Giants LB in most Fantasy IDP leagues at this point.
