Loading ...In an offseason where the Giants appeared to be facing a recently unprecedented number of roster holes, Jerry Reese did what he had to do by making sure he locked up Antrel Rolle. Much has been said about Rolle’s huge contract and lack of top flight ability, but nevertheless, that’s one hole filled.
We talk all the time about resisting temptation to draft players who repair roster deficiencies in order to draft the “Best Player Available.” But free agency basically works in an opposite manner: you target positions and fill needs; try to find players whose skill set and contract demands fit any of the holes on your team.
Sure, Karlos Dansby plays a need position, but Jon Goff is a better worst case scenario starter than CC Brown, and Dansby’s price would have skyrocketed had we been forced to outbid Miami. Julius Peppers? Didn’t fit at all. Would Maake Kemoeatu make the same impact on the line that Rolle will in the backfield? Didn’t think so.
Jerry Reese had too many needs on his plate to leave all for draft day. Given that Rolle was clearly the biggest impact player at the biggest need position that the market presented, Reese would have been stupid not to.
Now that he’s crossed one huge item off the top of the organization’s shopping list, the team can narrow it’s focus on draft day. In yesterday’s post, Kyle from G101 basically summed up the most pressing needs that remain when he highlighted MLB Rolando McClain, DT Brian Price and OL Mike Iupati.
There are other openings that need to be filled though. The Giants only have four legit corners on the roster (and one of them is Bruce Johnson). The Giants also have 3 of their 5 running backs coming off serious injuries, and could probably use a body there. Whatever Travis Beckum may become, he’s not the kind of depth that Giants need behind Kevin Boss.
So Jerry Reese still has a bunch of needs on draft day, but he used free agency well to fill the one glaring need that would threaten to force him to reach in the draft.
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so im in an argument with someone on why kindle doesnt fit the giants need and wouldnt profile as a good 4-3 OLB. His latest response:
Kindle profiles as an excellent 4-3 OLB. He’s not a 4-3 DE at all. And he’s far better than Michael Boley, who isn’t “entrenched” in anything, since he looks woefully overmatched and a borderline bust FA signing.
Giants LB’s, both inside and outside:
Michael Boley
Danny Clark
Clint Sintim
Jonathan Goff
Gerris Wilkinson
Chase Blackburn
Number of those players who are solid NFL starters and don’t need to be upgraded: 0
ILB and OLB are equal areas of need. There’s no playmakers there at all. Kindle is an impact OLB and fits both a 3-4 or 4-3 OLB role equally well. He’s a very solid selection.
Danny Clark is a free agent! And you didn’t mention Bryan Kehl “and Zak DeOssie.
As for Kindle, he does not fill a need for us… He is a pass rusher. We already have a pass rusher playing OLB in our 4-3 and his name is Clint Sintim. We do not need more LBS who are better suited for a 3-4. However Kindle may have the ability to make such a transiton but the team can’t wait for that.
I don;t feel Boley was even close to a bust. Maybe I’m in the minority, but he had a couple nagging injuries… and the DEs played like c’rap in front of him… just like the DTs did for Goff. You can’t have opposing OLs springing into the second level and hang it on the LBs.
Yea i agree, he didnt play poorly last year, even with all of the injuries. I think he could have a big year if healthy
Wow I’d love to hear what GMs think about the McClain Crohn’s disease thing…
I knew Chris Getney, drafted by the Bears and later played TE for Arizona until he was diagnosed with Crohn’s. It ended his playing career but I sure each case is different.
Simon- do u still want mcclain if available knowing what we know now?
Bruce Johnson as an undrafted rookie in 2009:
46 Tackles, 2 Interceptions (1 Returned for TD), 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Sack
Not bad as a undrafted rookie free agent is it? This kid has some promise and I am fine with him as the 4th corner behind Webster, Thomas and Ross.
I am just saying…I would not call cornerback a need poistion.
Then again, if Haden falls I take him over McClain.
Rich– In that section I wasn’t talking about dire needs…I was talking more middle and late round pickups.
Even if you like Bruce Johnson, and I do, he’s the fourth and last legit corner on the roster. Giants will need at least one, maybe two more on the roster by opening day…
I agree they could probably use one or two more. Especially with Ross’ hamstring.
This draft is very deep at corner – Haden being the only surefire first rounder, but after that:
Kareem Jackson, Kyle Wilson, Devin McCourty, Patrick Robinson, Brandon Ghee, Chris Cook, Perrish Cox, Donovan Warren, Dominique Franks, Walter Thurmond, Amari Spivey, Trevard Lindley, Javier Arenas to name a few. And the two guys from USC Pinkard and Thomas.
Solid deep class, and some of these players should be available in the 5th round.
I think the GMen should wait on that 5th corner…
I think Boley was OK for us last year. I expect him to be better this year with better/healthier talent around him (not to mention he himself being healthier).
I certainly don’t see any evidence that he’s not an at least an acceptable starter.
That being said, I agree that we need to bring in one “almost certain” starter to that group. Goff, Kehl, Wilkinson, and Sintim are all “hopefully” guys.
It’d be a much nicer situation to be in if we only NEEDED one of those guys to make the leap rather than two of them. I’m fine with all of them as backups / situation players.
Looking at the ACC Championship game, man.. This Spiller guy. He could really do stuff for our offense..
I hate to be that guy who makes comparisons of college players to hall of fame pros, but Spiller’s ability to change direction and/or accelerate on a dime reminds me of Sanders.
He would add a whole new dimension to our offense and special teams. If the coaching staff feels confident enough in Goff, I’d pull that trigger.
We could use a Percy Harvin/DeSean Jackson type player that can score from anywhere. I like Bradshaw, but he isn’t quite that type of player.
@caplannflDrag to create a new widget@caplannfl: Giants spending a lot of time today with C.J. Spiller at Clemson Pro Day, our guys from http://clemson.scout.com note
We’d draft Spiller, he’d pull a hammy in training camp and even though he’ll be healthy by Week 3, Coughlin won’t play him until Week 17.
LoL, so true…
Lmao!!!
The Giants do have some holes to fill, however I would not be surprised one bit if Spiller is on the board and we take him. A true playmaker is our most glaring need, Hixon is adequate in the return game but not a dominating force. Ahmad has the ability and agility but doesn’t quite have the break away speed. Spiller would add a whole new dimension to our ST and our backfield and we could get back to the dumpoffs that Tiki used to take 50 yards.
MLB is a need, I would give Goff atleast one full season to prove himself before writing him off completly. Micheal Boley was in on every tackle especially near the beggining of the season. Reread many earlier posts and watch a few early season games, Boley was an animal before the gigantic run lanes opened. With that we do need a DT run stuffer, I think cantu will be a big difference this season and as Alford progressively gets healthier the DLine should no longer be a liability.
Spiller is already practicing grabbing the back of his leg in anticipation of being drafted by us.
Just want to point out that now two of the best players in this draft, McClain and Best, have medical issues surrounding them.
McClain’s were covered here yesterday, although I think not completely. But it doesn’t matter. There’s risk associated with him. In Best’s case there’s the question of concussions. He had a bad one at Cal. Can neurologists do anything predictive in regard to how likely that makes it that he will sustain another one? It’s known that each time you get one it makes you more prone to another, but the likelihood generally depends on the severity of the concussion suffered. In any case, there’s risk attached to him as well.
I would be surprised if Reese took any real chances with his first and second picks. The Giants are, despite the panic that was rampant around the fan base (including some at Giants 101 who should know better) after the conclusion of an awful season, very close to a team that should compete for the Lombardi over the next few seasons. Adding a few critical pieces may take them over the top.
That argues against going for McClain or Best with one of those picks. Both may drop when the medical conditions enter the equation for GMs around the league. But when the alternatives at linebacker are Weatherspoon and Spikes, and the alternatives at running back include staying pat (if Brown is really recovered the combo going into camp of Jacobs, Bradshaw, Ware, Brown and Johnson is pretty impressive even if there isn’t necessarily a game-breaker among them…and a healthy Bradshaw may even be exactly that), I don’t see Reese going for either unless they really drop hard, which won’t happen because teams that are still building will be more prone to taking chances on possibly damaged goods in the draft when they have so much upside.
The Giants definitely need to add a linebacker and a DT. The only question is whether they should do it earlier or later in the draft. They need more than they’ve got at both positions, as well as at cornerback, and on the O-line. And I do think they need an all-around tight end as depth behind Boss. I really like The Bear and Beckum, but neither fits that bill, and Beckum will probably make his way onto the 53-man squad at the expense of a running back, backup quarterback, or depth somewhere else on the field rather than as a substitute for a third tight end, which the team will need.
btw, I don’t think Spiller makes it to #15. Every GM in the league knows that he is a game-breaker and that in the “new” NFL those guys are worth their weight in gold.
Best will be there at #15, but see my comment above.
idk what to think. i still would take a chance at mclain….if they feel we can get spoon in the 2nd, then id feel ok with goin in a dif direction in the 1st. idk. i jus cant wait for the draft.
i really havent been payin attention to the roethlisberger situation…dont look good for him. this sounds serious
Tt- what’s up!? U really would still take mcclain? U know I’m one of the take a MLB to anchor the D for 12 years but how can mcclain do that? No one knows maybe he can maybe not but at 15 that’s too risky why not go for spoon?