I'm starting to wonder if there's more than just bad play going on. No matter who was at end this year they couldn't get to the QB. I mean JPP, Tuck, Jenkins, Kiwi... all are bad players?
I don't know about Tuck. I love the guy, and we know it's not all about money with him, but if you believe that JPP will come back better than ever, and you think that Moore is starter material, where does that leave Tuck?
Jenkins will probably still start, though. As I said before, if Tuck can accept the role of a backup, I'd definitely bring him back. You could do a hell of a lot worse than having Justin Tuck as your #3 DE.
Starting quality DEs cost a fortune. Can't see that with the other needs and FAs like Joseph needing to be signed.
Bill, I see plenty of opportunities to create money to fix both lines. I feel like that is priority 1A and 1B. Part of 1B is getting a starting caliber end to play along with JPP. Whether thats in rd 1 of the draft or through FA.
He found one offensive tackle in the 15 games played that he can handle. Otherwise, he has played Claude Raines the entire season. If he's on the team next season I hope he isn't starting.
But, I don't have a problem with Kiwi at DE. I felt last year, when he actually played DE he was one of our best defensive players. The problem is, there were very few snaps as a true DL. I am fine with him in the rotation.
I also wouldn't mind re-signing Tuck...but only to a very cheap deal.
He's actually one of my favorite Giants. He's a high character guy, intelligent and articulate (even if he did let his emotions get the best of him a couple of times this year).
adds another hole to our already long list that need to be filled. I would like to see Tuck resigned for a contract that is reasonable to the tam and him. Maybe 2 years for $6 million with maybe a team option for a third. Even if we go in next year with JPP and Moore at DE, you still need your rotational DEs. I still think that Tuck has a role to play on this team and he also has veratility being able to play inside. I think bot the team and Tuck both have an interest in making a deal happen and I expect that they will.
I expect that there will be a parting of the ways with Kiwanuka. I think he is one of the players we can cut to get some cap space. I've liked Kiwanuka, but he's not the future, he's part of the past and between him and Tuck, I have to go with Tuck.
He found one offensive tackle in the 15 games played that he can handle. Otherwise, he has played Claude Raines the entire season. If he's on the team next season I hope he isn't starting.
Marty. Love the Claude Raines reference. Not sure too many here know it though. Lol dating ourselves.
cutting Kiwi would result in a big amount of dead money. Just checked to find it won't cost a dime to cut him. His 2014 cap hit is $7.2M. Wow. No way in hell do I accept that.
Yeah, after I posted it I realized that most here have no idea what I'm saying. Nice to have another "old fart" around here to understand what I meant. BTW, I live in Weston. Where are you?
I've always had a pretty high opinion of Kiwanuka.
But if I look at his numbers I'm not sure why. This was actually one of his best seasons. His six sacks were the most since 2008 when he had his career high eight. His two forced fumbles tied with several other seasons and are the most he's ever had in a season.
I guess it's up to the coaching staff to decide whether he's been a better player than those stats show.
His salary is $4.5M, that's all that matters. If his cap hit is $7.2M, that's $2.7M in cap hit that will happen regardless of whether they keep him or not (since it's the last year on his current deal).
So the Giants have three choices:
1) Keep him at his current salary of $4.5M with a $7.2M cap hit.
2) Cut him and take the $2.7M cap hit as dead money.
3) Give him a multi-year contract extension that converts his $4.5M salary into salary and bonus his salary and stretches out the amortization of the unamortized portion of the bonus money he received in the past.
A simple example of option 3, might be a two year extension with a $3M bonus and $1.5M in 2014 salary (and salaries of $5M in 2015 and $6M in 2016). In such a deal, Kiwanuka's 2014 compensation would remain at $4.5M , but his 2014 cap hit would be $3.4M instead of $7.2M.
"$4.5M salary into salary and bonus his salary and stretches out the amortization" should've read as "$4.5M salary into salary and bonus and stretches out the amortization"
This is a tough question, partly because you need to consider the other DEs.
Neither Tuck nor Kiwi performed well for most of the season. Both have started to come on strong. Why? Did Tuck have lingering injuries that have magically disappeared? Doubtful, since that doesn't happen in the NFL unless you are inactive for several weeks. I have no explanation for his apparently improved play because he isn't the type of player who would only play hard for a new contract. I think he still has something to contribute (probably the best run-stopping DE on the Giants) so sign him to a reasonable 2-year deal if he can't get a better deal elsewhere.
Kiwi is another issue entirely. His improved play may be attributed to the fact that he has not moved back and forth and is finally getting used to the DE position again. There is no other obvious explanation. Since he has another year to go on his contract, no decision needs to be made. Let him compete for a spot in the rotation.
Sign Tuck. He's a great Giant and worth having in the locker room and on the field for the occasional big plays. He can play from anywhere on the D line.
I don't think Kiwi is much of a playmaker. I wouldn't have signed him to the deal he has now. I didn't see him make much of a difference this season. Let's move on from him and see what Demonster can do and maybe a draft pick or FA.
and keep Kiwanuka unless there is anyone else better available/affordable to take there place. Both players had dominant performances late this season.
I loved the Claude Raines reference too...I don't consider myself an old fart at 50ish but yeah not too many people may know the movie and the veiled reference to the Invisible Man...and could an invisible man be veiled? getting back to Kiwi...I'm a fan of his but he's not been very good. I know we all measure DE's by sacks but I can care less about that . I think its more important to be stout against the run and he has not which I find curious since he played LB the last 2 years.
and not a factor at DE at all. I'm not sure what happened to his play, as well. He started his career playing fairly well?! I would probably cut him if we have an alternative, otherwise, he remains as a back up rotational guy. Tuck I would bring back as a rotational guy only. The biggest question is can JPP regain his form from 2 years ago? He hasn't been the same player since his 16.5 sack season. Additionally, can Moore show some pass rush ability? Haven't seen anything to get excited about from him yet either. This is a huge part of the Giants Defense and must also be improved.
Give them both a chance to be veteran backups somewhere there might be 1 more ring immediately for them. All they have left anyway is 1 more year.
Bill, I see plenty of opportunities to create money to fix both lines. I feel like that is priority 1A and 1B. Part of 1B is getting a starting caliber end to play along with JPP. Whether thats in rd 1 of the draft or through FA.
I noticed that Kiwi doesn't look very big at all for a DE. He probably should not lose weight.
I hope he can somehow improve. Him, JPP and Moore will likely be our main 3 DE's. I hope Tuck comes back cheap.
I also wouldn't mind re-signing Tuck...but only to a very cheap deal.
I expect that there will be a parting of the ways with Kiwanuka. I think he is one of the players we can cut to get some cap space. I've liked Kiwanuka, but he's not the future, he's part of the past and between him and Tuck, I have to go with Tuck.
Marty. Love the Claude Raines reference. Not sure too many here know it though. Lol dating ourselves.
I guess it's up to the coaching staff to decide whether he's been a better player than those stats show.
So the Giants have three choices:
1) Keep him at his current salary of $4.5M with a $7.2M cap hit.
2) Cut him and take the $2.7M cap hit as dead money.
3) Give him a multi-year contract extension that converts his $4.5M salary into salary and bonus his salary and stretches out the amortization of the unamortized portion of the bonus money he received in the past.
A simple example of option 3, might be a two year extension with a $3M bonus and $1.5M in 2014 salary (and salaries of $5M in 2015 and $6M in 2016). In such a deal, Kiwanuka's 2014 compensation would remain at $4.5M , but his 2014 cap hit would be $3.4M instead of $7.2M.
Not huge offers but offers in the range of what Osi got from the Falcons
Neither Tuck nor Kiwi performed well for most of the season. Both have started to come on strong. Why? Did Tuck have lingering injuries that have magically disappeared? Doubtful, since that doesn't happen in the NFL unless you are inactive for several weeks. I have no explanation for his apparently improved play because he isn't the type of player who would only play hard for a new contract. I think he still has something to contribute (probably the best run-stopping DE on the Giants) so sign him to a reasonable 2-year deal if he can't get a better deal elsewhere.
Kiwi is another issue entirely. His improved play may be attributed to the fact that he has not moved back and forth and is finally getting used to the DE position again. There is no other obvious explanation. Since he has another year to go on his contract, no decision needs to be made. Let him compete for a spot in the rotation.
I don't think Kiwi is much of a playmaker. I wouldn't have signed him to the deal he has now. I didn't see him make much of a difference this season. Let's move on from him and see what Demonster can do and maybe a draft pick or FA.
People really think those numbers are only going to warrant a vet minimum contract