Category Archives: 2010 NFL Free Agency
The Giants are having a busy day. First they announced the re-signing of Jeff Feagles, erasing doubts about his future. Now, they are saying they have signed veteran free-agent safety Deon Grant.
The Giants will be the 31-year-old Grant’s fourth team as he goes into his 11th season. He spent the last three years in Seattle.
Grant was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons there before being sent to Jacksonville in 2004. Grant left the Jaguars for Seattle in 2007, signing a record contract for a safety at the time.
For those interested, Grant played in Jacksonville after Tom Coughlin and Perry Fewell had moved on….
This signing means the end of C.C. Brown’s short-lived, notorious Giant career. The team announced they were withdrawing their tender offer to Brown today.
The team is slowly filling up the holes left from last season. Grant joins Antrel Rolle in the Giants’ secondary to give them a legitimate tandem while Kenny Phillips rehabs his knee.
Tagged Deon Grant, New York Giants News |
Rolle Signing Could Be Biggest Free Agent Splurge For Blue
The Giants needed help at safety and got it with the addition of Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle. They did not hesitate in making Rolle the game’s highest-paid safety, but he may be the only big-ticket player the team brings in, for now.
The uncapped year and the free agency rules that accompany it have many teams either confused or cautious. Teams are waiting to see what breaks.
I believe teams are playing a patient game of chess. Since most of the desirable pieces this off-season are restricted free agents (RFAs), general managers and their staffs are calculating whether to draw up offer sheets and surrender draft choices or simply sit back and wait for the draft.
Right now, all teams are measuring the existing pool of free-agents, what other teams might be be interested in them and whether there are better options in the draft. This process could take weeks. We may not see considerable free agent movement again until mid-April.
Giants Still Need An Experienced MLB, But Could Stick With Goff
It’s obvious to everyone from the parking attendants at the Meadowlands to the ownership that the Giants must find a player to replace Antonio Pierce. They need to do this before the draft.
Every fantasy player is telling you they should draft a MLB. I agree, but there is no rookie alive that is going to start Day One of his career calling defensive signals in the NFL. As a coach, you’d have to have your head examined to expect a rookie to run your defense.
They need an experienced player at MLB, and that is why Karlos Dansby was considered a “must-have” for the Giants this off-season. Instead, they opted to spend on a safety, which they also needed. Now, they have to scour the RFA list for a possible deal. There are some good players, but very few that possess the qualifications the Giants need.
Many feel that Oakland’s Kirk Morrison, tendered at a third-round level, might be the answer. So far, the Giants have made no moves in that direction.
I think the Giants are hoping that Jonathan Goff can fill the bill for now. He’s a bright young man and tough player (he has an engineering degree from Vanderbilt) and he has experience with the headset. If he can build on his performance of last season, there may not be an immediate need to draft a linebacker in the early rounds unless someone they covet falls to them.
Fans are barking about Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes and others as possible first round draft picks, but if you know the Giants that first rounder is rarely a “need” player. They will take the best player available regardless of position.
This is a deep draft and there may be someone at 15 they just can’t pass on. The LA Times projects that player could be Notre Dame WR Golden Tate. A receiver? Think about it. How many receiving options do the Saints, Colts and Vikings have…four or five each? In this pass-happy league, this would not be the craziest move by a long shot.
Notes
It doesn’t appear that QB David Carr will be back. He is roaming around the league trying to land a starting gig. The Giants will work out Colt backup Jim Sorgi today at the Meadowlands as a possible replacement. They are also rumored to be considering Jeff Garcia.
The Giants will also try out another kicker this week – former Panther Rhys Lloyd.
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency |
Julius Peppers went to Chicago yesterday and came away $91 million richer. Karlos Dansby, who was supposed to be courted by a slew of teams, was only offered a contract by the Miami Dolphins. He took it.
And Antrel Rolle, a safety coming off of a Pro Bowl year, was made the richest at his position by the New York Giants.
So much for the bidding wars. We now know the strategies of the majority of NFL teams. They are choosing to be cautious. The Bears and Giants were desperate for players at those positions. The Dolphins turned out ot be the only destination Dansby wanted to land.
The rest of the league is taking a powder. There were some other moves. Detroit made some moves, but they need to make so many moves that whatever they do seem inconsequential. The Bears also signed Chester Taylor, who will finally become a featured back at the age of 30.
Atlanta made a solid move by inking Houston’s talented CB, Dunta Robinson. The Cardinals continued to reshape their roster by shipping WR Anquan Boldin to Baltimore for draft choices.
Perhaps the exodus of major players in Arizona helped Rolle’s decision to take the Giants’ money a bit easier. It was thought that Rolle’s agent may try to take a Giant offer and leverage it vs others, drawing out the process, but that never materialized.
Rolle fills a gaping hole in the Giants’ secondary. Unfortunately, it’s at free safety – the position where Kenny Phillips has been penciled in. What will the Giants do? Or is there something we don’t know about Phillips’ future?
The Giants and Kenny Phillips have both assured the public that Phillips’ knee rehab is on schedule, yet they went out yesterday and paid Antrel Rolle $37 million dollars to play Phillips’ position. For a team that claimed they were going to double-count their chips before every move, this quick strike to secure a free safety seems dubious.
The Giants’ made Kenny Phillips their first round selection in 2008 because he had the same attributes as another University of Miami safety- the late Sean Taylor. Rolle is also a former Hurricane. In fact, when Taylor left for the NFL in 2004, Rolle took his slot in Miami and became a consensus All-American.
The signing of Rolle certainly helps the Giants at safety. But is he Phillips’ new partner or his replacement?
Let’s hope it’s the former. Does this also mean that they are not expecting Kenny Phillips to fulfill his promise? Will they take Taylor Mays or Earl Thomas if either player falls to them in the draft? We shall see….
On a side note, the Dolphins released former Giant safety Gibril Wilson yesterday. I wonder if the Giants would consider bringing him back…? Are the Giants still looking for inside LB help? And if so, who might be on their radar now that Dansby and Gary Brackett are no longer possibilities?
The Eagles released LB Will Witherspoon yesterday. He’s still got some mojo left. He may be worth a look. Then there are the RFAs. Kirk Morrison of Oakland and Cleveland’s D’Qwell Jackson have been mentioned.
The opinion of this writer, that is if the Giants want a real MLB, they send an offer sheet to Houston’s DeMeco Ryans. Only 25, Ryans is the league’s next big superstar at the position. He was recently tendered at the highest level (a 1st and 3rd round pick) by the Texans and is going to be offered a long term deal.
Take a shot, Jerry Reese. You have our permission. As Clint Eastwood said in The Outlaw Josey Wales….Are you goin to pull those pistols or just stand there whistlin’ dixie…?
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency, Antrel Rolle |
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency |
…courtesy of fellow blogger 
Craig Santucci……
Stud safety Antrel Rolle is coming New Jersey today and I doubt it’s because he’s trying out for the new season of the Jersey Shore.
It has been reported by the NY Giants beat reporter Mike Garafolo and his band of connected sources that The Chicago Bears have dropped out of the running for the Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl Safety Antrel Rolle.
For a few days now all signs were pointing to the Windy City as the lead candidate to secure Mr. Rolle; however, it seems that Big Blue has become the flavor of the day.
Rolle was Arizona’s first-round pick, out of the University of Miami in 2005. For the first three years in the NFL Rolle was utilized as a corner back but had most of his success after being moved to safety in 2008 by Coach Whisenhunt .
The 6 foot, 208 pounds safety made his first Pro Bowl this past season in 2009.
The Dolphins have been mentioned as another team that would like to make a push for Rolle; however, the Cardinals have not been completely ruled out bringing the star safety back.
Tagged Antrel Rolle |
MSNBC is reporting that the Giants do not plan on bidding for the services of free-agent MLB Karlos Dansby.
In an internet report based on a Daily News article, they apparently are reading between the lines here.
GM Jerry Reese has not ruled out pursuing any players at this point. Stay tuned.
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency |
What to Expect Come Friday
At midnight tonight, the free agency period begins and the deadline to implement a new salary cap for the 2010 season expires. That means there will be no salary cap, so teams are not limited in the amount of money they can spend on players.
It also means there is no floor, or minimum team salary requirements. That figure, which now stands at $107 million, no longer has to be spent on players. Some teams, especially smaller market ones, may opt to keep salaries as low as feasibly possible.
Teams that played in the Divisional Playoff round last season will basically be sidelined in free agency. The final four (New Orleans, Indianapolis, New York Jets and Minnesota) cannot sign any UFAs unless they lose one, first.
The other four teams (Baltimore, Arizona, Dallas and San Diego) are limited as well. They “only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5.5 million (estimated) or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for less than $3.7 (estimated) million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases….”
Free Agents
The unrestricted free agent pool is now 212 players less than it would have been in normal times. The pickings are slim. Since UFAs are required to have six years of service, most of them are 30 years old or close to it. Many believe the there are only a few players worth bidding on, and the price for those players will be not worth the risk.
Teams will be reluctant to pry restricted free agents away from their current employers because the compensation. With a deep draft coming up, teams will want to stockpile picks rather than forfeit them.
Trades
In the NFL, trades are not as common as they are in other major sports. This off-season, that is bound to change. Teams that covet RFAs from other teams may offer some of their own RFAs in return to avoid surrendering draft choices. It will be interesting to see how this plays out…
Predictions
The Washington Redskins are ready to roll the dice. The NFL’s most valuable franchise will throw their hat into the ring for every UFA they feel can help them.
The Miami Dolphins will drive hard to the hoop on Cardinal LB Karlos Dansby, as will the Giants. Money will be the primary factor, but location and direction of the franchise will also be considered.
Julius Peppers, the celebrated Carolina DE, may turn out to be too expensive for the Chicago Bears. It has been revealed that they may have tampered with Peppers at the combine this week. If they drop out, the Eagles and the Giants may try to play a game of one upmanship for Peppers’ services.
Many teams will not match offer sheets on their RFAs, opting to receive compensation for the lost players instead.
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency |
Giants Will Be Aggressive, But Selective
John Mara met the press yesterday, once again reiterating his desire to upgrade his sagging football club. Stating he believed that the Giants had a solid nucleus, Mara unveiled his free-agent strategy:
“We’re going to do whatever we feel is necessary to improve the team, but that doesn’t always involve spending the most money,” Mara told the Daily News. “I think it’s been pretty well-established in this league that spending the most money in free agency doesn’t always produce results.”
He went on to say that the team will not spend wantonly for the sake of spending.
“We see it year after year, the teams that go out and spend a fortune in free agency don’t always end up being successful,” said Mara. “You have to spend it on the right guy at the right time. We did spend a lot last year and I’m not saying we’re not going to spend any money this year. We’ll look and see who’s out there and we’ll make a determination as to whether that particular player can help us and is it at the right price.”
Tender Offers
Thursday is the last day to offer tenders to free agents. Thus far it appears the Giants have offered nine of their eleven free agents deals. Only TE Darcy Johnson and CB Kevin Dockery have not been tendered.
According to Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News, here is the latest…..
S C.C. Brown – - “Right of first refusal” tender, $1.226 million *
OL Kevin Boothe – - Tendered … Level unknown
DT Barry Cofield – - Second-round tender, $1.759 million
CB Kevin Dockery – - No tender. Now an unrestricted free agent.
WR Derek Hagan – - Tendered. … Level unknown
WR Domenik Hixon – - Second-round tender, $1.684 million
TE Darcy Johnson – - No tender. Now an unrestricted free agent.
WR Sinorice Moss – - “Original pick” tender, $1.176 million. Compensation: Third-round pick. **
DE Dave Tollefson – - Second-round tender, $1.684 million
OL Guy Whimper – - “Original pick” tender, $1.176 million. Compensation: Fourth-round pick.
LB Gerris Wilkinson – - “Original pick” tender, $1.176 million. Compensation: Third-round pick.
Combine Notes
USC safety Taylor Mays, whose draft stock had been dropping, wowed onlookers with a 4.43-second, 40-yard-dash time. Mays was originally – but erroneously – clocked at 4.24 seconds, which would have made him the fastest player at the combine. Clemson WR Jacoby Ford has posted the fastest 40 with a 4.28. Mays is the only defensive player in the top ten in the 40-yard dash.
One of the purest athletes that has emerged at the combine is Pitt TE Dorin Dickerson. His 4.40, 40-yard-dash time has certainly bolstered his draft chances. His size (6’4″, 226) makes him a either a big WR or an H-Back. The Giants don’t need either of those at this time, but someone is going to get lucky with this kid.
Draft Notes
To appease readers who have been clamoring for more draft analysis……
Who the Giants draft may or may not depend on what they do in free agency. If they sign Karlos Dansby, he would be their MLB and would be flanked by Michael Boley and Clint Sintim (in the best case scenario). They would still have Jonathan Goff, Bryan Kehl, Gerris Wilkerson and – most likely – Chase Blackburn. Do they still draft Rolando McClain if he falls to them? Would Brandon Spikes be an upgrade over any of those players I mentioned?
None of the names I keep hearing at the safety position have impressed me. Mays, as you have just learned, can run. Earl Thomas of Texas is highly regarded, but he is only 5’11″, 197. I think that’s smallish for an NFL safety these days. Tennessee’s Eric Berry is 6’0″, 211 and a tad slower than Mays in the 40, but he is considered a top five pick. Unless the Giants trade up, they won’t get him.
One possibility here for the Giants could be USF’s Nate Allen. He is a good blend of size, speed, power and agility.
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency |
DE Would Put Big Blue Back On Map
While everyone and their mother has been flapping their lips about which linebacker and/or safety the Giants should add to their roster this spring, the team may be focusing on bringing the best player available to East Rutherford.
That player is free agent DE Julius Peppers.
Sure they need an upgrade at LB and safety, but what they need the most is veteran leadership on the defensive side of the ball. They need an a**kicker.
Peppers is that guy. He would restore immediate legitimacy to a badly wounded unit and is a considerable upgrade over Osi Umenyiora, who has basically talked his way out of New York and will most likely be traded.
By bringing in Peppers, the Giants starting DL would be: a healthy Justin Tuck, Chris Canty and Barry Cofield and….Peppers. Behind them are: Jay Alford and Rocky Bernard in the middle and Mathias Kiwanuka and Dave Tollefson on the ends. Not too shabby……
Umenyiora could be traded for a second rounder or a package of picks. Those extra picks will allow the Giants to vie for a restricted free agent or two, a practice they would normally stay away from.
Some interesting players have been tendered at that second round level. It makes no sense to get into the players in that group until Friday, because there is still time to avoid an uncapped season. If no CBA agreement is struck by Friday, 212 players that would have been UFAs become RFAs.
They may also opt to keep the picks and bring in young talent. The upcoming draft is deep and extra third and fourth round picks could reap some diamonds in the rough.
The Giants are expected to take a run at free-agent LB Karlos Dansby. I believe that will happen. I also believe that they will inquire about veteran safeties Antrel Rolle and Darren Sharper.
But it is the addition of Peppers that would be the first big step in retooling the defense. Get him and the latitude to improve at the other positions expands.
The other wrinkle to signing Peppers would be to keep him out of Philadelphia, which is reportedly on the five-time Pro-Bowler’s short list of desired destinations.
Tagged 2010 NFL Free Agency |
The Giants have 11 restricted free agents this off-season and yesterday they revealed details on tender offers made to four of those players.
DT Barry Cofield received a second-round tender with a one-year salary of approximately $1.76 million.
DE Dave Tollefson was tendered at the same level but for $1.68 million.
OL Guy Whimper received an original-round tender (4th round) at a rate of $1.17 million as did former 3rd-rounder LB Gerris Wilkinson.
Thus far there have been no updates of any tenders being offered to any of the other seven RFAs.
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