Monthly Archives: February 2009
Mike Garafolo of The Star Ledger is reporting that free agent linebacker Michael Boley is set to visit the Giants today. Boley, a former 5th round pick for the Atlanta Falcons, is 26 and has played in every game in his four seasons.
Boley would be a solid pickup. While he is not as talented as someone like Bart Scott, he would not cost as much. If it means having enough money left over to sign TJ Houshmandzadeh, I’m all for it.
Garafolo suggests that if all goes well, Boley could be a Giant by the end of the day. He also points out that Boley lost his starting job this past season and was also arrested and charged with domestic battery in May.
I trust Reese’s judgment.
Update 1:30 a.m. ET – While appearing on ESPN, free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, formerly of the Bengals, named the Giants, Seahawks, Eagles, and Vikings as teams he’d be interested in playing for.
Update 1:24 a.m. ET – John Clayton of ESPN reported on a special edition of SportsCenter that the top defensive free agent on the market, former Titan, Albert Haynesworth received calls from six teams with each of them all talking about $30-40 million in guarantees. Haynesworth and his agent are discussing the possibilities and as it stands right now, he will likely get $15-16 million per year.
Update – 1:00 a.m. ET – The Jets Blog is reporting that the Jets have re-signed fullback Tony Richardson to a one-year deal. Adam Schefter of NFL.com has added that the deal is worth $500,000.
Original Post:
CB DeAngelo Hall kicked off the NFL free agency period, agreeing to a six-year, $54 million deal with the Redskins that includes $22.5 million guaranteed and $30 million in the first three seasons.
Hall was cut by the Raiders in November. His 18 interceptions since 2005 is third best in the NFL.
Other early signings include the Broncos agreed to terms on multi-year deals with RBs J.J. Arrington (Cardinals) and Correll Buckhalter (Eagles), according to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com. Both players are expected to sign Friday after passing physical exams.
ESPN‘s John Clayton reports that Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is heavily recruiting his star receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to consider returning to Cincinnati.
ESPN is reporting that Brandon Jacobs claims the Giants need Plaxico Burress for another Superbowl run. This is Jacobs statement on the subject:
“We have to hope Plaxico Burress gets out of all the issues he has going on there legally,” Jacobs said Thursday in a conference call. “If he can get out of that, we can bring him back and I think that is basically all we need, to be honest with you.”
This is a non-story, but since ESPN is running it I thought I would throw it out there. Nowhere does Jacobs say Burress has to be back for a Superbowl run. He simply states they need him back, but what I think he is really saying is that they need a top flight receiver and right now Plaxico is still the closest to wearing big blue. I realize I am making a leap in judgement but it seems clear that this team will not drag any teammates name through the mud, and technically Plax is still a teammate.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
Jerry Reese spoke with WFAN this afternoon and here are some choice quotes on his feelings about the upcoming free agency period.
“We have some guys we’d like to get lined up quickly and try to see what we can get done. We have a gameplan, we have a few guys that we really like who we want to get in here as quickly as we can. We’ll see if we can make that happen.”
Interestingly he had this to say about Derrick Ward.
“Never say never with Derrick Ward.” It’s not over. A lot of things can happen. You never know what will happen. Derrick Ward is not gone yet.”
That may be true, but I can’t imagine the Giants bringing him back unless his market value completely plummets. At this point it does not seem like he will get the 4 million he was seeking, but his value will need to plummet even more if Big Blue is willing to jump into the hunt.
As usual Reese went with his classic “we investigate everyone” line when individual players were mentioned. Reese has his poker face on, and until the dust settles we know nothing more then we did when the year ended. We may find out more tomorrow…until then.
For an in depth look at the Giants plan for free agency check out Ralph Vacchiano’s article “Giants Free Agent Plan: Bargain Shopping.”
Ralph ’s number one point is, with teams locking up their best players, there are fewer big name guys on the market. With 32 teams all vying for one or two major players at each position the prices get jacked up beyond a players value. So while TJ Houshmandzadeh is a good player, he is not a 9 million dollar a year player although he may get that kind of a contract.
Jerry Reese added this: “It would be great to get all the big guys, but it’s not reality,” . “A lot of the big guys were franchised, so now you have 32 teams shopping for a couple of big guys and it drives the cost up. We try to be smart with our money here. But we won’t shy away.”
Another thing people may not have considered is the effect the economy may have on free agency, although with a hard cap, it is less likely to be the factor it has been on baseball.
We can only base what the Giants will do on their track record and since since 2005 the Giants have been nothing but bargain hunters. The most important thing in today’s NFL seems to be signing your own big players (Brandon Jacobs) and constantly stocking youth (Thanks for the 2nd rounder Shockey).
Tomorrow, February 27th the free agency period begins, so let’s get it on. Please check back at Giantsfootballblog.com for all signings big an small. 
The Giants have always done their very best to protect Eli Manning and give him every tool they can in order for him to preform. With that said I think there is a good chance, if the Giants are players in free agency, their first priority will be to secure a new blanket for Eli. The most prized free agent at WR is TJ Houshmandzadeh, and if they are truly looking for a new #1 target there isn’t many other options. Anquan Boldin can be had, but trading draft picks is not Jerry Reese’s style (this is a very good thing). There are guys like Nate Washington, Mike Furrey and Marvin Harrison out there, but most likely this will just add to a collection of 2nd and 3rd options the giants already have, although Washington is a legit deep threat and Harrison was once ungodly.
Let us know if you have a free agency wish list for Jerry Reese to look over.
Rotoworld.com and WUSA.com are reporting that Albert Haynesworth called the Redskins, Buccaneers, and you guessed it, the New York Giants as potential suitors. According to Rotoworld Haynesworth is expected to garner a 100 million dollar 
contract over 7 to 8 years.
Haynesworth eats running backs as if they were apps from Fridays, he does a great Hulk Hogan impersonation (seen in the picture on the right), and his ability to clog up the middle is unprecedented. His presence would allow the Giants ends to see more one on ones then they are used to, which could lead to outrageous sack totals for the trio of Kiwi, Osi and Tuck also known as KOSUCK (that doesn’t sound right – I’ll work on it for next year). That said (one ”that said” per article, minimum), I just don’t see the Giants using so much money for one guy with bigger needs at the Receiver/ Linebacker spots.
The Daily News has reported that Mathias Kiwanuka will retain his spot at Defensive end. Tom Coughlin relayed this decision during the NFL combine. Kiwanuka had 8.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his first full year at end.
Despite Kiwi’s impressive year at end it is most likely he will not remain the starter as Osi returns. However, the Giants are at their best when they have 3 pass rushing ends at full force. This will allow Bill Sheridan to be very creative in his defensive packages. It also means the Giants will be on the hunt for a linebacker…Bart Scott anyone?
Brandon Jacobs‘ new contract was well deserved and it did not break the bank. 15 million dollars will be slated for the first two years and there is 13 million in guaranteed money. This leaves the Giants fairly open to sign other free agents or extend Eli Manning. That said, it probably marks the end for free agent Derrick Ward.
Ward’s services will be missed. He has an excellent mixture of brute and agility. No Giant ran from the shotgun formation better then Ward and he also has fairly good hands. That said (that said number 2) another former Jet may help replace him…Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Danny Ware, although the fiery youngster, Ahmad Bradshaw, is the cream of the back up crop.
The Daily News reports Osi Umenyoira claims his knee is at 80 percent and although he may not be ready for OTA’S, he should be ready for camp.
A bit interesting considering earlier in the year ESPN reported that Osi could have been back for the playoffs.
Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins both underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Cofields surgery was a bit more invasive so his recovery time will be longer. Both hope to be ready for camp.
Robbins dominated early but by the end of the year he looked like something you would see on “When Dinosaurs roamed the Earth.” The guy is tough but he clearly had to battle through many injuries this year. Cofield goes unnoticed every year. He is no Warren Sapp but the guy does a great job engaging two lineman on most plays, another great pick, in the 5th round no less, by Accorsi/Reese.
James Butler has most likely played his last game as a Giant.
Butler was an undrafted rookie free agent when he made the team. He was the starting safety on the Superbowl team. While he is not as gifted as most NFL safeties, he is very sound and very coach-able, that said (number 3) there are more gifted athletes waiting their turn, including one Kenny Phillips.
While guys like Bart Scott, Albert Haynesworth, TJ Houshmeanzadeh and Ray Lewis will certainly get a great deal of attention in the offseason (hopefully from Big Blue), it is often lesser players that will impact a fans 2009 team. Fact is, only 7 to 8 teams will land studs, while ther rest of the NFL will have to sort through tier 2 players. Guys like Mike Furrey, Mike Peterson, Jermain Phillips and a host of other lesser known players may be better options for those with cap concerns.
I apologize for reporting all this so late, but the left coast has me confused.
According to Mike Garafolo of The Star Ledger, the Giants have locked up running back Brandon Jacobs to a 4-year deal worth $25 million.
We all knew this was coming, but it’s good news nonetheless.
The specific details of the contract are not all known, but Garafolo believes that more than half of the money is guaranteed. He also explains that this deal could have a positive impact on the Giants’ possible pursuit of other free agents.
“Signing Jacobs now allows them to lower his cap number for this upcoming season from $6.621 million and create more space to use in free agency and perhaps on a new deal for QB Eli Manning.”
According to the Cincinnati Inquirer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the Giants’ #1 target in free agency. The 6-1 wide receiver has totaled at least 70 receptions and 900 yards in five straight seasons.
Housh, 31, is easily the best wide receiver available in free agency. With Plaxico Burress‘ future in doubt, and the seemingly imminent departure of Amani Toomer, I would not be opposed to signing T.J. and drafting a young receiver in the 2nd or 3rd round. The Inquirer seems to think that Housh is not in the same league as Plax in terms of talent, but I think that his consistent track record speaks for itself. He may not be a 6-5 safety blanket like Burress, but anyone who could catch 70 balls for 900 yards in the 2008 Bengals offense is a special receiver.
The Eagles, Ravens, Titans, 49ers, Dolphins and Seahawks are also listed as teams that “covet” T.J.
Hat tip to Jason of The New York Sports Vent for the link.
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