Loading ...In late May, 11-year veteran safety, Deon Grant, revealed during an interview with Sirius XM radio that the New York Giants were one of three teams, joining the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, who were interested in signing him. Two months later and Grant remains unsigned. However, during a ceremony at the Augusta Museum of History on Friday, Grant said he expects to re-sign with Big Blue at some point during training camp.
“This is the first year in three or four years – and this was the longest one – that I can say I came out completely healthy,” he said. “I revamped everything and my body feels wonderful right now.”
At 33 years of age, Grant is no longer a spring chicken by NFL standards, but what he does offer to a team is veteran leadership and a calming presence in the locker-room. Remember, a year ago when Antrel Rolle was struggling with his situation, it was Grant who sat him down and helped get him back on track. That sort of personality is often the final link in a chain that keeps a team together, a la Sam Madison in 2007.
Although the Giants would like to get younger at the safety position, re-signing Grant would be a sign that the coaching staff may not overly confident in Stevie Brown, Will Hill, Chris Horton and possibly even Tyler Sash. But perhaps all they need is the mentoring of a long-time NFL veteran who has excelled at that position.
Should Grant re-sign during training camp, he would not immediately be able to reclaim number 34, which currently belongs to rookie running back David Wilson. However, Wilson did note a few weeks back that he intended to change his number post-camp, so if Grant were to make the 53-man roster going into the regular season, he would don #34 when the games started to count.
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I agree with the comparison to Sam Madison. Grant to me last season was not the same player physically as he was in 2010. He looked like he had lost a step, or 3. But you can’t debate his leadership and the effect it had on the secondary, especially late in the year when they really put it together and played a huge role in helping us win the SB.
+1.
BUT, despite his having lost another step, once Fewell adjusted the defense not only was Grant another coach on the field but he had a propensity for getting to the right spot on the field at the right time. “Wily veteran and team leader” pretty much defines this guy. I would LOVE to see him signed, make the team, and have Hill on the practice squad for this season.
I don’t think an interest in Grant means a lack of confidence in Sash. As a matter of fact, I think Sash is the kind of safety whom Grant can really mentor because that kid isn’t a speed demon but he hits and he has a nose for the ball and good instincts. A safety group of Phillips, Rolle, Sash and Grant (with Hill learning each week via participation in practices) sounds great to me.
Sorry Deon, short of a season ender for one of the veteran starters, your role this year is on the couch waiting for the phone to ring.
For the #4 safety spot (figure KP, ‘Trel, and Sash are locks) I want either some young stud who’s got too much future potential to let go, or a special teams assassin in the mold of Rene Thompson. Now THERE was a gunner.
If neither of those can be had with the current roster, I’d just as soon keep an extra corner who can cover and play teams.
Signing Grant means they’re not happy with the existing crop of safety candidates. It probably also means they’ll be taking steps to shore up that position after the season ends.
We tend to over-rate our Giants. Every fan does. But if Grant comes through the door then it’s the cold, hard slap of reality.