Or, "Ex-Giants who will continue to make their presence felt next year."
Nothing says cap hell at holiday time like big, front-loaded contracts for under-performing or retired players. Let's see where the Giants stand, entering the new year.
Start with the good news: The Giants are in relatively decent cap shape for 2015. The emphasis here is on relatively. They aren't the Raiders, Jaguars or Jets - with a third of their 2015 cap available - but hey, who wants to be the Raiders, Jaguars or Jets? Further, the Giants aren't carrying any truly disastrous contracts into 2015. Eli Manning eats a big chunk of the cap, but in a world where Alex Smith gets $45MM in guaranteed money, Eli barely registers as an issue.
So, where's the bad news on the dead-money front? Let's start with what we know...
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
David Baas ($3.225MM). 20-20 hindsight suggests the Giants should have taken the full hit in 2014 and, say, passed on Walter Thurmond. But it's not in the organization's DNA to write off a year. Longer-range hindsight suggests that restructuring Baas's contract was a huge mistake.
David Wilson ($0.825MM). Not much to say here. The kid gave it his best shot.
Mathias Kiwanuka ($2.65MM). The Giants retained Kiwi in 2014, at a drastically-reduced salary, largely because of his $5.3MM dead-money load from a puzzling restructure. The number is still significant, but it won't keep him on the team again.
THE CAP REHAB UNIT
Jon Beason ($3.833MM). Unless Beason gives ground on a $2.2MM roster bonus, he could be an early cap casualty. Although the injuries that ruined his 2014 are not career-threatening in themselves, his history is alarming. Beason's agent (himself, no?) is notoriously accommodating, so an arrangement is likely unless the Giants decide to cut bait.
Victor Cruz ($5.7MM). Unlike Beason, there's no hurry with Cruz - a good thing, because his injury is much more severe. The likelihood of him being cut is close to zero. His $6.15MM salary, however, could be dead money of a different sort if he starts 2015 on the PUP list.
Geoff Schwartz ($3.4MM). Unless there's reason to think his foot problems are chronic, Schwartz gets his $500K in off-season money and a spot in the 2015 lineup.
Steve Weatherford ($1.75MM). Weatherford appeared to be on the downside of his career before the ankle injury. After enduring the 2009 edition of Jeff Feagles, then botching a rushed transition to rookie Matt Dodge, the Giants might choose to pull the trigger a year early rather than a year late. Weatherford will be in camp, but don't be surprised if he faces real competition.
Others: Cullen Jenkins ($0.667MM) may have accumulated enough scratches and dents to no longer be worth $2.2MM, but he'll probably be in camp unless he retires. Several other banged-up vets like Rashad Jennings and Robert Ayers aren't worth discussing because they should be fine by next year and figure to play significant roles. Trumaine McBride's $50K dead-money load doesn't even register as a blip, so the $500K he's due during the off-season might make him a cap casualty.
UNDERPERFORMERS
J.D. Walton ($0.625MM). Eager as we may be to hand his job to Weston Richburg, expect to see Walton in camp. He has no off-season bonus money coming, and there's no downside to keeping him around until the final cuts as insurance. At that point, if he hasn't reclaimed a spot in the starting lineup, the Giants can decide whether he's worth $2.25MM as a backup.
Others: Rueben Randle ($0.209MM), Jayron Hosley ($0.129MM), Adrien Robinson ($0.96MM) and Brandon Mosley ($0.075MM) round out a frustrating 2012 draft class that might be gone with the wind. There's little reason not to bring them to camp, though, and all but Hosley have a reasonable chance of sticking.
Overall, the dead money outlook isn't bad. The Baas situation is unfortunate, Wilson even more so; and the team has a lot riding on the efforts of the surgeons at HSS.
If kennard proves he can play in space and isn't strictly a 3rd down lber then I guess he can "start" in base packages.
I don't think the Giants have any TEs under contract for 2015. Donnell will be an ERFA.
If kennard proves he can play in space and isn't strictly a 3rd down lber then I guess he can "start" in base packages.
Not only does Kennard appear to be a 3 down LB, Beason is better than average if he's healthy. We can certainly use more talent at LB though.
If kennard proves he can play in space and isn't strictly a 3rd down lber then I guess he can "start" in base packages.
Wrong dare I say, again.
Kennard had exclusively been used on pass rush situations. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage or to play man against a TE. If it turns out that he cannot play in space, that does not make him a starter.
McClain has zero big play ability. Does tackling a guy after a 7 yard gain equate to production? He's the definition of a player whose below average but good enough to consistently look not bad. He's basically the new chase Blackburn.
Beason? Please. This is what happens to football players. They get old, and the injuries start piling up. Depending on this guy is the exact same mistake this organization made (and will make) with Diehl, Snee, Webster, TT, etc.
We have ZERO, none, LBers that are worthy of starting in the NFL.
He hasn't been healthy in over 5 years now.
Kennard had exclusively been used on pass rush situations. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage or to play man against a TE. If it turns out that he cannot play in space, that does not make him a starter.
McClain has zero big play ability. Does tackling a guy after a 7 yard gain equate to production? He's the definition of a player whose below average but good enough to consistently look not bad. He's basically the new chase Blackburn.
Beason? Please. This is what happens to football players. They get old, and the injuries start piling up. Depending on this guy is the exact same mistake this organization made (and will make) with Diehl, Snee, Webster, TT, etc.
We have ZERO, none, LBers that are worthy of starting in the NFL.
Carl Banks loves the kid. I think he might know a thing or two about playing LB in the NFL.
If kennard proves he can play in space and isn't strictly a 3rd down lber then I guess he can "start" in base packages.
This is one of the more stupid posts I've seen in a while.
Quote:
not one quality LBer on this team. Not beason, McClain, or quite frankly even kennard.
If kennard proves he can play in space and isn't strictly a 3rd down lber then I guess he can "start" in base packages.
This is one of the more stupid posts I've seen in a while.
The day isn't over yet !
Baas is a perfect example. There were very few of us who wanted to take the hit in one year. We weren't in a one year rebuild mode (and still aren't), and we weren't desperate for money. Now, 2015 cap is reduced by several mil
It will be very interesting to see whom they choose to cut bait on after this season, we'll need every dime to re-sign the players we want to keep and try to fill some holes via UFA.
Hey that's really not that painful. Could we use the money? Obviously, but every team has dead money going into the next season $14 million seems low considering we have 20 guys on IR.
Next preseason will be huge for kennard. I hope he starts and they force him to play in space. We all know by now he's a OLB who can play in the dirt on third and 2nd + long. The next question is can he turn+ burn and play on first down in space?
Gimmee a couple of days and I'll write something up. I'm busy teaching and planning lessons right now before the winter break unfortunately.
You might want to look in the mirror there, tough guy...
Unfortunately, injuries forced the team to use up all of their "cushion" with in-season transactions.
Dead money isnt a good thing obviously, but as pointed out by BBB Giants are in a decent cap situation.
Cap projected to be around $140m in 2015. Giants cap number is around $122.5m. That includes Baas' dead money, and with Eli w/o an extension ($19.75m cap). It doesnt include JPP and Rolle (I think Giants gain an additional $700K when JPP voids 2015). Thats as good a cap situation the Giants have been in, in quite a while.
Possible Cuts:
Kiwi: Total 2015 Cap $7.45m, Dead Money $2.625m, Cap Savings $4.825m
Beason: Total 2015 Cap $7.367m, Dead Money $3.833m, Cap Savings $3.533m
Walton: Total 2015 Cap $3.125m, Dead Money $0.625m, Cap Savings $2.500m
Hillis: Total 2015 Cap $0.95m, Dead Money NONE, Cap Savings $0.95mm
If the Giants cut those 4 players, thats $11.8m in cap savings.
I think if the Giants like the players that actually do hit FA, they can sign a few good players.
Kennard had exclusively been used on pass rush situations. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage or to play man against a TE. If it turns out that he cannot play in space, that does not make him a starter.
McClain has zero big play ability. Does tackling a guy after a 7 yard gain equate to production? He's the definition of a player whose below average but good enough to consistently look not bad. He's basically the new chase Blackburn.
Beason? Please. This is what happens to football players. They get old, and the injuries start piling up. Depending on this guy is the exact same mistake this organization made (and will make) with Diehl, Snee, Webster, TT, etc.
We have ZERO, none, LBers that are worthy of starting in the NFL.
I'm not saying what Kennard is or isn't but this is one of the worst posts I've read in a while. Look what Belichick did with Donta Hightower, or look at someone like Brandon Spikes (now in Buffalo). Neither of them have the pass rush ability Kennard does, but both look like run stuffing demons and Hightower developed good coverage skills. But Spikes and LB's like him absolutely cannot cover a TE, but because of that to you they're not starting LB's? Ok. that's just flat out dumb.
And another Pats LB, Jamie Collins is an absolute pass rush beast who I wouldn't want covering a RB or TE.
But all of them are not only starting LB's but excellent starting LB's.
And for the record PFF grades Kennard as positive in pass rush, run D and in coverage
Quote:
some of you must be just plain stupid.
Kennard had exclusively been used on pass rush situations. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage or to play man against a TE. If it turns out that he cannot play in space, that does not make him a starter.
McClain has zero big play ability. Does tackling a guy after a 7 yard gain equate to production? He's the definition of a player whose below average but good enough to consistently look not bad. He's basically the new chase Blackburn.
Beason? Please. This is what happens to football players. They get old, and the injuries start piling up. Depending on this guy is the exact same mistake this organization made (and will make) with Diehl, Snee, Webster, TT, etc.
We have ZERO, none, LBers that are worthy of starting in the NFL.
I'm not saying what Kennard is or isn't but this is one of the worst posts I've read in a while. Look what Belichick did with Donta Hightower, or look at someone like Brandon Spikes (now in Buffalo). Neither of them have the pass rush ability Kennard does, but both look like run stuffing demons and Hightower developed good coverage skills. But Spikes and LB's like him absolutely cannot cover a TE, but because of that to you they're not starting LB's? Ok. that's just flat out dumb.
And another Pats LB, Jamie Collins is an absolute pass rush beast who I wouldn't want covering a RB or TE.
But all of them are not only starting LB's but excellent starting LB's.
And for the record PFF grades Kennard as positive in pass rush, run D and in coverage
Point out exactly where I said he couldnt develop into any of those things.
Kennard so far has exclusively been used to play on the line in pass rush situations.
That means he's a situational player; he's part time.
I said that next year we need to see if he can play in space; and if he can, that makes him a starter.
Now, please point to where exactly I said Kennard couldnt do those things.
good, god.
Kennard has missed a few plays too....how the heck he missed RGIII in the backfield, on the play RGIII stiff armed Rolle, is beyond me.....he let McCoy get 20 yards to the outside by not being aggressive, he hesitated and allowed the OLman engage him...
Quote:
In comment 12037048 kepler20 said:
Quote:
some of you must be just plain stupid.
Kennard had exclusively been used on pass rush situations. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage or to play man against a TE. If it turns out that he cannot play in space, that does not make him a starter.
McClain has zero big play ability. Does tackling a guy after a 7 yard gain equate to production? He's the definition of a player whose below average but good enough to consistently look not bad. He's basically the new chase Blackburn.
Beason? Please. This is what happens to football players. They get old, and the injuries start piling up. Depending on this guy is the exact same mistake this organization made (and will make) with Diehl, Snee, Webster, TT, etc.
We have ZERO, none, LBers that are worthy of starting in the NFL.
I'm not saying what Kennard is or isn't but this is one of the worst posts I've read in a while. Look what Belichick did with Donta Hightower, or look at someone like Brandon Spikes (now in Buffalo). Neither of them have the pass rush ability Kennard does, but both look like run stuffing demons and Hightower developed good coverage skills. But Spikes and LB's like him absolutely cannot cover a TE, but because of that to you they're not starting LB's? Ok. that's just flat out dumb.
And another Pats LB, Jamie Collins is an absolute pass rush beast who I wouldn't want covering a RB or TE.
But all of them are not only starting LB's but excellent starting LB's.
And for the record PFF grades Kennard as positive in pass rush, run D and in coverage
Point out exactly where I said he couldnt develop into any of those things.
Kennard so far has exclusively been used to play on the line in pass rush situations.
That means he's a situational player; he's part time.
I said that next year we need to see if he can play in space; and if he can, that makes him a starter.
Now, please point to where exactly I said Kennard couldnt do those things.
good, god.
you said the giants have zero linebackers worthy of starting in the NFL.
For a 5th round pick rookie to do what Kennard has done with limited starting experience, I think any conclusions about him at this point are ludicrous.
good god.
I don't see why you are being so insanely condescending and douchebaggish over such a reasonable stance from others.