'Brett Jones is a completely risk-free signing'

in the CFL.

Average salaries in the CFL are $60-80K and the NFL minimum is $435K, so he's getting a rather substantial raise.

I ask for is consistency and an upgrade over the likes of Mosley, Reynolds, and Brewer. He can be a valuable depth guy for all I care. If he turns out to be starting material, it's a steal.

chance of starting.

In comment 12135114 Ten Ton Hammer said:

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in the CFL.

Don't know what he's making now, but the article does say this...

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Considered an undrafted rookie free agent, Jones will receive the minimums of $435,000 in 2015, $525,00 in 2016 and $615,000 in 2017, if he makes the roster out of training camp. He would have received a more lucrative deal as a free agent had he remained in the CFL.

In comment 12135114 Ten Ton Hammer said:

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in the CFL.

He was a free agent. One story said he could get a contract in the $300,000 range. The difference is guaranteed vs non.

pointed out that is he makes the team and starts, things could get reworked for some serious dough.

CFL info is tough to find, but according to the link the top salaries in 2013 were $400K, and those guys are quarterbacks.
Link - ( New Window )

he can go back.
Seems like he 'wants it'; and as someone mentioned, anyone that bumps Brewer,Mosley, Brown, or Jerry is an improvement.

In comment 12135145 Greg from LI said:

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CFL info is tough to find, but according to the link the top salaries in 2013 were $400K, and those guys are quarterbacks. Link - ( New Window )

From Calgary ...
Had Jones decided against accepting an NFL offer, he would have been in high demand Tuesday, with sources suggesting a record contract would have been coming his way.

Link - ( New Window )

My guess is Jones is here for roster depth if he even makes the team. Projecting him as a starter is likely wishful thinking.

doesn't make the team he can go right back to the CFL. The big risk for Jones is if he suffers a career-ending injury, god forbid.

In comment 12135169 AnnapolisMike said:

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My guess is Jones is here for roster depth if he even makes the team. Projecting him as a starter is likely wishful thinking.

While I agree with you, especially projecting him as a starter, the fact that the Giants were this interested and aggressive in getting him into the building seems to suggest he's not the typical CFL import.

In comment 12135169 AnnapolisMike said:

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My guess is Jones is here for roster depth if he even makes the team. Projecting him as a starter is likely wishful thinking.

Are you paying attention?

"Jones, 23, was the CFL Rookie of Year in 2013 and won Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in his second professional season."

he'll make the team and compete for a starting spot either at center or guard and will see action in 2015.

There have been many CFL players who became starters in the NFL, including DE Cameron Wake for the Fins, so you cannot automatically assume that he doesn't have a decent chance. After all, he was THE BEST OL in the entire CFL and a leader on a Grey Cup winning team. He's very smart, highly motivated, shows excellent skills, and is big enough. He will need a little time to acclimate to the NFL, but many others have done it before him.

Personally I think he is going to be a GIANT for at least a few seasons.

if he ever developed into a solid starter...some people were comparing him to Seubert. I don't think his ceiling is that high because he doesn't look as strong at the point of attack as Rich but I think he's better than the depth we brought in last year

(as usual)...if not guaranteed, nevertheless, is it possible there are bonus provisions, e.g., # of snaps, starts, etc.?

does look like seubert on tape.

In comment 12135260 ColHowPepper said:

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(as usual)...if not guaranteed, nevertheless, is it possible there are bonus provisions, e.g., # of snaps, starts, etc.?

Per the linked article ...
Even coveted undrafted rookie free agents receive some guaranteed money after not being selected in the NFL draft. Defensive end Kerry Wynn received $17,500 last year. Safeties Thomas Gordon and C.J. Barnett netted $5,000 even though they didn't make the final roster.

Jones would get nothing, making it a risk-free signing for the Giants that could pay massive dividends

If there are bonus provisions he meets such as snaps and starts and he meets them ... good for us

Link - ( New Window )

They're searching for talent wherever it is. If he sticks in any capacity, it's a win for the front office. At the very least it'll be a good camp battle between Jones and Richburg for starting center. If one of them ends up starting at guard, even better.

We know Richburg can play guard, but he didn't excel there. Jones supposedly lacks "positional versatility," which I guess means he's not supposed to be good at guard. So it sounds like the Giants still need to find a road-grader guard -- unless Pugh is moving inside, in which case they need a road-grader right tackle.

But either way it sounds like they still need 1-2 more really good offensive linemen, plus more quality depth.

Next he'll tell use the Giants primary uniform color is blue.

In comment 12135267 area junc said:

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does look like seubert on tape.

looks more like Mitch Petrus to me.

In comment 12135443 rasbutant said:

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In comment 12135267 area junc said: Quote: does look like seubert on tape. looks more like Mitch Petrus to me.

How would we know? There is no tape of Petrus since his entire career may have been a figment of our imagination.

How so?

were highlights, granted. However, he was mangling anyone he could get his hands on. Very aggressive and he was beating and punishing his opponents.

I don't care too much about how many "CFL players make it in the NFL" as much as I'm more interested in his very high accomplishments there. So, OK, he may not make the team but he's hardly fodder.

Virtually any Center can play Guard, although it doesn't necessarily work the other way.

Jones played some Guard in college and has one start at Guard in the CFL. So he can play Guard.

And the last time I looked, an NFL team needed a Center and two Guards to start, plus at least a couple of back ups for these three interior OL positions.

Considering what the GIANTS have on the roster right now, this presents a golden opportunity for Jones.

I've been critical of the Front Office for a lot of their moves, but this is an excellent signing.

He is big enough at 318 and likely to get bigger with "NFL Program". He is shorter than we prefer. IIRC He benched 27 times which is a bit low for OL. Seems to have decent feet. Seems to be competitive. Seems to be smart. I think he is 23.

Year 1
Reasonable expectation is reserve center/guard, better and cheaper than Brewer, Mosely, Reynolds.

Year 2
Possible starter with increased strength. Likely remains a reserve.

interior OL. No size problems here whatsoever

Richburg is still the C. The guy who should b sh#tting is JD Walton, who the team can save big $$$. - both real and cap - by
cutting.

sphinx, agree; I was thinking of it from his perspective and why he would sign "no risk [from Giants' perspective] contract", vs. some guaranteed $$ in CFL.
That is good if there are incentives, shows his confidence, and if there are, I hope he achieves them. I hope he blows up a lot of our DLs.

The emphasis on size/height/weight/other so-called measureables is, imo, so overblown when it comes down to some inches, pounds, 'Gator arms. Look at our great James Brewer with all the measureables and more and "he's got LT feet". The dreck the FO has brought in here the last eight years in the mid- to low rounds of OL lineman, who have such great upside on draft day, are then relegated to "project " and "developmental" status, and then relegated off the roster after taking up spots for too long has got to end.

Hopefully, it does with this kid who has shown he can actually play pro ball with talent, smarts and aggressiveness. In a few months we get to see if he can make it translate.

The MMQB had a really interesting series of articles on the league last year.

not the CFL and that they only go to the CFL if they can't get on a team in the NFL. That should be enough to show you that NFL salaries are significantly better than CFL salaries.

200K tops. And in Canadian dollars so add another 20%

good enough to play Major League Baseball here. That changed. Who knows?

In comment 12135137 Randy in CT said:

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pointed out that is he makes the team and starts, things could get reworked for some serious dough.

I'm hoping the Giants want Richburg to center and Walton cut or kept as backup. Also hoping Jones is good enough to be a decent backup. If he can learn to play guard, I think it would be easier for him to actually start.

I can't imagine him beating Richburg at center but stranger things have happened. Walton is just not good at all.

from a Calgary Sun article ...

Normally, Canadian hogs get all of the attention going into free agency

Link - ( New Window )

In comment 12135481 Randy in CT said:

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were highlights, granted. However, he was mangling anyone he could get his hands on. Very aggressive and he was beating and punishing his opponents. I don't care too much about how many "CFL players make it in the NFL" as much as I'm more interested in his very high accomplishments there. So, OK, he may not make the team but he's hardly fodder.

Isn't might not make the team basically the definition of fodder?

In comment 12135514 area junc said:

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interior OL. No size problems here whatsoever Richburg is still the C. The guy who should b sh#tting is JD Walton, who the team can save big $$$. - both real and cap - by cutting.

Yeah, he's definitely a goner.

I think Jones is a viable candidate to become a top backup at OG/C. Schwartz has one guard spot down, and I would expect them to look at FA to sign a guard.

In comment 12135124 Greg from LI said:

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Average salaries in the CFL are $60-80K and the NFL minimum is $435K, so he's getting a rather substantial raise.

I read a prior article and it said he was looking at between $200-300K/year in the CFL due to his stature and OL award.

In comment 12135299 81_Great_Dane said:

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They're searching for talent wherever it is. If he sticks in any capacity, it's a win for the front office. At the very least it'll be a good camp battle between Jones and Richburg for starting center. If one of them ends up starting at guard, even better. We know Richburg can play guard, but he didn't excel there. Jones supposedly lacks "positional versatility," which I guess means he's not supposed to be good at guard. So it sounds like the Giants still need to find a road-grader guard -- unless Pugh is moving inside, in which case they need a road-grader right tackle. But either way it sounds like they still need 1-2 more really good offensive linemen, plus more quality depth.

For what it is worth, we signed OT Bamiro, OC/OG Jones and have OG Herman who hasn't had a chance to play going into his 3rd year. Bamiro is a giant, Jones looked extremely quick with good strength and Herman was a road grader in college. In a perfect world, all three will fill the void and make the OL a strength. Dreams do come true!!!!!

I am hoping big time this kid is the real deal. Wouldn't that be just awesome if he can be decent enough to start and hold his own?

We may actually breathe easier at night- Schwartz, Pugh, Richberg, and this kid. That is four out of five. Only one more question mark.

In comment 12135504 Reale01 said:

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He is big enough at 318 and likely to get bigger with "NFL Program". He is shorter than we prefer. IIRC He benched 27 times which is a bit low for OL. Seems to have decent feet. Seems to be competitive. Seems to be smart. I think he is 23. Year 1 Reasonable expectation is reserve center/guard, better and cheaper than Brewer, Mosely, Reynolds. Year 2 Possible starter with increased strength. Likely remains a reserve.

That 27 lifts at 225lbs was 2 years ago! I am certain he has gained bulk and strength.
2014 Combine: Bench Press.
Weston Richburg 25
Jake Mathews 24
Kadeem Edwards 26
Zack Martin 29
Taylor Lewan 29

He's an upgrade from Brewer the moment he pulls into the parking lot.

In comment 12136082 Spock said:

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I am hoping big time this kid is the real deal. Wouldn't that be just awesome if he can be decent enough to start and hold his own? We may actually breathe easier at night- Schwartz, Pugh, Richberg, and this kid. That is four out of five. Only one more question mark.

Beatty isn't a question mark..He's more than adequate to hold down the fort at OLT and for the immediate future is our guy, imo

In comment 12136205 Big Blue '56 said:

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In comment 12136082 Spock said: Quote: I am hoping big time this kid is the real deal. Wouldn't that be just awesome if he can be decent enough to start and hold his own? We may actually breathe easier at night- Schwartz, Pugh, Richberg, and this kid. That is four out of five. Only one more question mark. Beatty isn't a question mark..He's more than adequate to hold down the fort at OLT and for the immediate future is our guy, imo

I thought long and hard about adding Beatty but I left him off because his various injuries or occassional poor play have concerned me.

The line could finally be in good shape. Likely getting a quality starter in FA like Franklin or Newton may not hurt either and have the young guys Richburg Pugh Jones battle it out for two spots. Feeling cautiously optimistic Giants Oline will be alot stronger and deeper come September.

good signing

is what the Giants expectations are. Is this a move with the thought he could be starting? Is this instead of higher priced FAs like Iupati? Is it just for depth? A shot in the dark?