Markus Golden Continues To Shine

You want to talk about validation for Dave Gettleman? How about the free agent signing of outside linebacker Markus Golden? Gettleman signed Golden, who had 2.5 sacks in 11 starts in 2018 as he worked his way back from a serious knee injury he suffered in 2017. Golden said he was 100 percent in training camp and wasn’t kidding.

- CHRIS BISIGNANO

“I feel good, ready to have a breakout year,” Golden told TGI in August. “I know people are doubting me, but I’m going to show Giants fans that bringing me here was the right thing to do.”

The increased production seems like validation for Golden, showing that his knee is indeed fully healthy by dropping opposing quarterbacks five times after six games and even scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Pats.

“It’s too early,” Golden said. “That’s something (validation) I got to look at the end of the year. You feel good, you want to be able to go out there and help my team and I feel I’ve been doing that. That’s what I’m about.”

Golden helped the Giants get their first win in Tampa by sacking Jameis Winston twice and pressuring the pocket all game. He finished with five tackles overall.

“I felt really strong in the Tampa game,” Golden said. “I felt like my old self, exploding from my stance, doing what I know I can do.”

Golden, 28, signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract, clearly a “show what you can do” deal. He is hoping to sign a long-term deal after the season. Golden was originally a second-round (58th overall) draft choice by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. In 51 career games, he has 29 starts and 23.5 sacks. He blew out his knee early in the 2017 season and has since tried to get back to his old pass-rushing prowess.