Loading ...With the 2011/12 NFL season still very much up in the air, it's difficult to speculate what a team may do in both free agency and the NFL Draft. It's especially difficult to speculate what the New York Giants may do, or what options they may eventually be left with, as General Manager Jerry Reese has gone on record stating the team will not sign anyone until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached.
All of that aside, I've decided to take a quick look at what I believe are the top five offseason priorities facing the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.
#5 – Sign or Draft a Quality Tight End
Kevin Boss is a tough and talented tight end, but he's become a tad inconsistent in recent years. He'll go up and make a difficult catch and take a big hit, but there are times he also drops incredibly easy passes. In addition, his run blocking still leaves a bit to be desired.
With an already talented offsense, there is no telling how great this team could be with the addition of a Zach Miller, Owen Daniels or even a Kyle Rudolph. Of course, that would also mean offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has to not only learn how to use a tight end, but remember to actually implement him.
#4 – Sign Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress
Don't laugh. Hear me out.
How could this possibly be a top five priority on a team littered with talent at wide receiver? Simple! When it comes to two extremely important games against the Philadelphia Eagles, the smaller crop of wideouts just aren't getting it done. In fact, the Giants haven't beaten the Eagles since Plaxico Burress was still in uniform.
Many will be quick to criticize this idea, citing past incidents with Burress both on and off of the field, but like Michael Vick before him, I've got to assume the man is humbled. The easiest way to make a person appreciate what they have is to take it away from them, and Burress has been stripped of his freedoms for longer than I feel he deserved…but that's a topic for another day.
In all likelihood, Burress isn't going to command a major contract. It might possibly be something as simple as a one-year, $1 million contract with incentives built in. After all, Burress isn't going to come out of prison in playing shape, and many teams will likely stay far away from him as they did with Vick. I just hope the Giants aren't one of those teams. Plax could easily come back and fill the role meant for Ramses Barden, and give the Giants a legitimate threat in the endzone once they cross into the green zone.
#3 – Re-Sign Wide Receiver Domenik Hixon
The last man to return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown? That would be Domenik Hixon.
I don't believe that any one man can make or break an entire unit, but the loss of Hixon in 2010 certainly proved how badly a team could suffer without a key part. More importantly, the loss of Hixon made us all realize just how important he really was.
Hixon likely won't come cheap to re-sign -at least not for a return specialist- but we all saw what happened without him. In order to retain the Akron alumni, the Giants will likely have to bump his salary up from $1.6 million to $2.2+ million. Maybe even a little more if another team really wants to acquire his services. Either way, it's worth it.
#2 – Re-Sign Barry Cofield
It shouldn't matter what sort of contract Cofield commands here in 2011, the Giants should give it to him and consider themselves lucky to have him.
I know there are a lot of lobbyists out there suggesting the Giants sign Albert Haynesworth, but he's of no greater value than Barry Cofield and comes with all sorts of extra baggage. It's a gamble that the player you sign ever remotely resembles his 2008-self, and it would cost a lot more than simply re-signing Cofield, who has progressively gotten better each and every year.
Cofield has been the most consistent defensive player for the Giants on a game-by-game basis and has earned every penny of the money he's going to get. And although pessimists will most certainly chalk a huge 2010 season up to it being a contract year, it's not different than Haynesworth's 2008 season. He got his money and flopped…I highly doubt Cofield will do the same thing.
#1 – Sign or Draft an Impact Linebacker
The thought of the Giants with a game-changing linebacker is almost enough to make me salivate.
With a thin draft class, I wouldn't expect the Giants to find such a linebacker there, so it's going to come down to free agency. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, that's a huge question mark this year. Still, assuming all goes according to the ideal plan, there are plenty of solid linebackers for Big Blue to pick from.
At this point, I don't think it matters which linebacker position they add an impact player to, so long as they add one. Ideally, the main target would be Chad Greenway. If that turns out to be an unlikely addition, they could also re-focus their attention on Paul Posluszny, who I've always been a fan of and may come cheap, or possibly even someone like Tamba Hali, who has excelled playing a role similar to the one once set aside for Mathias Kiwanuka.
At the end of day, signing an impact linebacker is not only a priority, it's an absolute must.
Other Important Moves:
- Re-sign WR Steve Smith
- Re-Sign or replace S Deon Grant
- Find depth along the offensive line
Related Videos
Returning Soon!!!!No related posts.
Short URL: http://www.giants101.com/3rdand1/1cz
I’d love Tamba Hali, but the guy is fast becoming elite and the Chiefs will almost-certainly re-sign him. I suspect Greenaway will not hit the market also, but we’ve been surprised before. Buffalo seems to let talent walk, so Poz could be available, throw in the Fewell connection and I find it a little more likely, but only if the price is right. JR won’t overspend for a linebacker that whilst proven, is limited athletically and has had some major injuries.
Look to the draft gents…
Since a lot of people have noted that this is a particularly weak draft class and that Greenway may not even become available, is there a guy(s) that anyone would trade a 1st or 2nd pick for realistically? i.e. the investment most people would like to see made in the draft
http://espn.go.com/nfl/feature/flash/_/id/6034867/super-bowl-xlii-moment-time
DB – On #3. Look I love Plax, certainly feel he paid his debt to society and have no problem with his character. However, while if Smith is out I can see his value he is not a need at all. The fact is the last 2 years we haven’t been a better team than Philly – though more talented in 2010. Mostly because our defense hasn’t held Philly below 27 points and they are averaging around 35 points per game in our last 4 vs. Philly. The Plax factor had no impact in our last game vs. Philly. I think in the previous games Philly just took advantage of our young WRs. However, Nicks and Manningham showed what they can do in our last Philly game. In addition, there are other teams like Washington and Chicago that need him more and worth way more to them than to us. Yes, Plax might have some guilt about how 2008 ended but his pockets as a 33-34 year old WR will be more important. I don’t think it’s the worst thing we can do but adding any WR is not necessary at all.
Totally disagree..With Smith probably starting the season on the PUP, Hixon and Barden also coming off serious injuries and nobody else on the roster ever proving anything in a game that matters, I think Plax is a huge priority..The guy knows this offense, is a physical freak and would be an awesome Redzone Target. Also, what is better to help a QB that misses high a lot than giving him a 6’6 WR with a nearly 7 ft Wingspan? Put him in at #3 WR to start year behind Nicks and MAnnigham, add a dynamic TE and a pass catching WR and this offense would be scary..Elite once Smith came back..I have Plax as my second biggest priority behind finding a real NFL Linebacker
If plax gets back to 50% of what his form was I expect him to be in the top 3 in the rotation which, in our offense, is basically a starter.
Ill still take 33 yr old Plax against any 3rd corner in The NFL
Absolutely. A lot of the upper tier teams have shown no respect for the Giants passing game, and more often than not, they have been able to shut it down. Even the threat of Plaxico is enough of a factor to stop other teams from stacking the line. Plaxico never put up any kind of superhuman (Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson-type) numbers with the Giants but his presence completely altered how defense approached the team.
If the Giants are going to sign Plax, why stop there? Herschel Walker claims he can still run a 4.35 40 and is in better shape now than when he was 22.
I’d say that’s a little bit more than apples and oranges, no?
I just feel they are both really big stretches
wow..just woww..it is silly season again
Nobody actually takes Herschel Walker seriously, kind of like when Jeff George contacted every franchise to make them aware of his availability.
Herschel Walker actually competed in Strikeforce a while back. Was awesome
im 100% in favor of resigning plax and dont think that its a stretch at all i loved the guy when he was with us and still do.. think about it whats the downside to it? With Smith likely starting the year on pup we get a guy who knows the offense and can make plays in the redzone
And if it doesnt work out its not like we would be breaking the bank for him because he is lkely not going to be heavily pursued i see no reason not to bring back plax it would take the offense to a whole new level especially when smith comes back
It’s not lie other teams don’t watch football. Teams know about Plax. I’m guessing he will get a better offer somewhere but he could still sign with us. However, he has lost a lot of money so he might not be able to afford taking a hometown discount. Especially when he has an opportunity to be the #1 or #2 WRs for a few teams out there.
i believe other teams will have the same doubts that people here are having i dont think tht teams r going to show no interest in him but no one is going to blow him out of the water with an offer so we likely wont have to overpay
Maybe so. But as one of the heads of the “concerns about Plax” movement, my main issue is that we don’t need him. If we had the Redskin WRs I would be leading the charge to sign him.
we probably dont need him however he would def be nice to have im not gonna say without him we r going to have a losing season all im saying is it would improve the offense and should be looked into
Demo, KL, FactCheck, etc – I’m not saying that Plax wouldn’t be an upgrade over our Hixon, Barden, etc. My point is that it’s not a priority and the level of the upgrade is very uncertain. If the main strength of Plax we are missing was the coverage he drew I doubt defenses will treat him the same – much like Nicks he will have to prove it. In addition, Plax is nearing an age that many quality WRs fall off the map – Keyshawn Johnson, Torrey Holt and Chad Johnson are recent examples. I know everyone sees what happen with Vick but he was 5 years younger than Plax; one of the best athletes the NFL has ever seen; he got a full year plus to get back up to speed.
Look if Smith is going to start the season on the PUP and Plax is not signing a big contract then I wouldn’t mind the move. However, I just think he brings as many concerns if not more than Hixon and Barden though if things work out he’s much better player. Not mention the other areas that are much more lacking than WR.
I think your list is very good but i think you forgot one and that is a playmaker on defense, every time the Giants won the Superbowl they had a serious play maker on defense, Osi and Tuck are great, Rolle is very good, but the Giant’s lack their Lawrence Taylor, or Michael Strahan still, I think that guy could be Champ Bailey, or Nnamdi Asomuhga. This year the team that is favored to win the Superbowl has two of them, Woodson and Matthews, and the team other team in the Superbowl has one in Polomalu. The two teams that championship games and then lost also have their elite playmaker on defense the Jets have Revis, and the Bears Peppers. The Bears went from 7-9 to a game away from the Superbowl by adding Julius Peppers, I’m pretty sure the Giants could do the same thing if they signed, Nnamdi Asomugha, Champ Bailey, Lammar Woodley, or Tampa Hali. I think #3 should be revised to poach Brad Smith from the Jets.
asomugha would be a huge addition but i just dont see the giants paying a huge deal of money for him at best they will try to drive up the price for teams in there division but i dont see them seriously going after him
We need a solid outside linebacker before anyone else. This would
enhance our run defense as well as our pass defense by allowing
the safties to play a little further back in [ass coverage. A player
like Chad Greenway would upgrade our linebacker positions. A
player or corner back like Asomugha would turn a very good
defense into a great defense, by to achieve this the Giants
would need the blessings of the owners. This enhancement of
the New York Giants would allow us to probably go very deep
into the playoffs and most likely get to the Super Bowl.
I disagree. Both Osi and Tuck finished tied for 7th in sacks. Osi lead the NFL with 10 forced fumbles (2nd was 6). Tuck had 76 tackles, which is very high for a DE. I think the combo of Tuck, Osi and JPP for next year is nearly as good as Strahan, Osi and Tuck. Now we have better players at other positions except LB. We just need a quality player at LB not a superstar.
Kyle’s boy goes down at the Senior Bowl.
Per Mortenson:
Filed to ESPN: Orgeon State DT Stephen Paea, a potential 1st rd pick, out rest of Sr. Bowl. MRI, suspected lateral meniscus knee injury
Ouch…
Apparently Senior Bowl coverage has been garbage so far. Which pleases me because Im not able to watch..
I watched a bit so far, they showed a few scrimmages here and there, but mainly focused on one or two guys (Locker, Carimi, those kinda guys). I’ll keep watching them in the hope it gets better.
No one stood out to me, but the sample size was minimal.
Yeah. Ill probably listen to Mayocks recap..