Giants Re-Sign LB Jasper Brinkley

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Linebacker Jasper Brinkley re-signed with the New York Giants on Tuesday.

The team's third-leading tackler in the 2015 season, Brinkley heads into his eighth NFL season and second with the Giants. He joined them two days after Dallas cut him last September. Four days after signing with New York, Brinkley was on the field against Dallas in a loss.

He wound up starting nine games for the Giants, making 66 tackles (48 solo), trailing only Landon Collins and Johnathan Casillas among Giants defenders.

"This is where I wanted to be," Brinkley told the team's website. "I had a good season last year. Just given the opportunities I had, and given the guys that are here and the mentality the coaches have, there's definitely a winning mentality here, and I want to be a part of that."

A fifth-round draft choice in 2009 by Minnesota, Brinkley became a starter in 2012 and had his best season. The next year, he was with Arizona, then went back to the Vikings in 2014.

"I was tested last year, and being patient paid off for me in the end," Brinkley said. "When your number's called, you have to be able to go out there and perform, and I feel I did that."

Brinkley is projected to back up Keenan Robinson, the former Redskin whom the Giants signed in free agency.

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