Giants have a depth problem right now. To turn this thing around quickly, we need to use this free agency and find some 26-28 year old players that can step in and start at a high level. With so many needs it’s important we also find good value in free agency too. Ideally, we sign these players before the NFL draft.
Earlier I posted about 2 players who fit the bill. S Ron Parker from KC and DE George Johnson from Rutgers….ugh..I mean the Lions. 2 young guys coming off their best seasons (BY FAR).
The 3rd guy I’d love to see on the Giants also is coming off his best year and he certainly fills a huge need. He’s not an all-pro type but he is a young player who should give us a high-quality starter for the next 5 years.
The player…James Carpenter.
Carpenter was a first round pick 2011 by Pete Carrol in SEA. They Seahawks made 2 mistakes with him. They probably overdrafted the college LT and the 2nd mistake was letting him walk this year.
He played LT at Alabama but his quickness vs NFL speed at LT was a huge concern. He was going to come into the NFL and play RT or G. It took him a couple of seasons to get it going in the NFL. Last year, SEA made the decision to let him play out his option this season. It was a mistake because he had a strong year in 2014 and they missed the opportunity to keep him for another year on the rookie deal.
He’s a massive player at 330+lbs (with 34” arms). A very strong & explosive run blocker and he also gets off the ball fast. His strength and power are pluses. He;s a red zone weapon because he fires off the ball and moves people.
Last season, as most of us know, the NYG were overpowered on the interior OL this past season. Signing Carpenter solves it.
Price shouldn’t be a killer. I think Carpenter will be one of the better values at OL in this FA Class.
I’d like to see them bring him in early in free agency. If we sign him early, we go into the draft with Beatty, Pugh at T, Schwartz, Carpenter at G, Richburg at C. That’s a nice lineup.
My free agent priority list for NYG:
1. S Ron Parker - S with excellent range.
2. DE George Johnson - Can be a full time starter at DE and upgrade the edge pass rush.
3. G James Carpenter - Add a beast to the interior OL.
If they sign them early it allows us to focus on offensive speed and playmakers in the draft (also a huge need). This draft seems to have a lot of it at WR and RB in the early rounds. We follow up the FA signings with maybe:
1. WR Parker
2. RB Coleman
After that, please find another starting S because without Rolle, there isn't one on the current roster!
I really hope that the Giants come away with Jabaal Sheard in free agency. Parker and Sheard would be a great start to fixing the defense.
I like Carpenter but have a feeling they are leaving Pugh at RT
Link - ( New Window )
I also just saw making the cut in Prisco's top 50 free agents this year.
Prisco's Top 50 FA - ( New Window )
kidding...
I agree... Carpenter would be a great addition to this line. He's a beast.
Pugh at guard may happen -- but it's becoming a BBI meme, like shifting to a 3-4 defense, or trading Nassib, or moving Ramses Barden to TE, or getting the Saints' first-round pick for Shockey.
From Prisco article....
45. Ron Parker, S, Kansas Cith Chiefs: This former corner moved inside to safety and did a nice job for the Chiefs. He has the range teams love in a safety, which is why he should get a nice deal.
46. Derrick Morgan, OLB-DE, Tennessee Titans: He hasn't lived up to the hype of being first-round pick, but he did get 6 1/2 sacks last season and has 19 the past three seasons combined. He's 26.
47. Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins: Pass-catching tight ends are hard to find, and that's exactly what Clay brings to a team. The Dolphins should make sure to keep him.
48. Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots: Watch the Super Bowl to see his value. He isn't just a back. He can hurt a defense with his ability to catch the football.
49. Orlando Franklin, G, Denver Broncos: He is a good run player, but he struggles in pass protection. He has also started at right tackle, which means there is value.
50. George Johnson, DE, Detroit Lions: When watching tape of Suh, I kept seeing Johnson flash. So I watched him closer and saw a player who can be a nice pass rusher for a team. He has been cut a bunch, but he has persevered.
I believe he's unrestricted. Giants have to call him.
I believe he's unrestricted. Giants have to call him.
KWALL I think he is going to be a Giant. Spags coached him last year in Baltimore and will probably push the FO to bring him in. He wouldn't cost much and could be a solid under the radar signing.
Injuries are well documented and the struggles with conditioning that seemed to both precede and follow. I believe he was benched on 2 separate occasions in 2013 including a playoff game but his conditioning was much improved in '14 which he attributed to having what was his first offseason that wasn't rehab-centric.
He's not someone I'd jump on early or that's in my top 5-6 choices for our new LG, but do the due diligence and if he checks out medically and mentally, see if he's still hanging around a couple weeks into FA when we can sign at a much reduced price (and a price that would not influence a draft choice) if the other options at LG get too expensive. In other words - there's no way I would sign him and pencil him in as the solution at LG. It would have to be a modest deal and supplemented in the draft.
Per Pro-football reference, he had 10 penalties called against him in 2014 ... 4 false starts, 3 holding, a roughness, an ineligible downfield, an illegal hands.
Jordan Cameron Te
Franklin gives the right side some needed beef. Put Scwartz at Rg and there are your road graders. Put Pugh to Left Guard with Beatty at Left Tackle. Draft your future left guard or left tackle in second round. See if someone drops
Jordan Cameron. We'll Eli and Ben make this guy All Pro
He is not that good
So does Jerry Reese.
(For anyone who hasn't been paying attention.)
2. Jay Ajayi RB
3. Lyndon Trail DE
4. Donovan Smith OT
5. Taiwan Jones. ILB
6. Durrell Eskeridge FS
7. Tony Washington OLB
7.Dontay Greenberry WR
Quote:
and drafting best player available for the future.
So does Jerry Reese.
(For anyone who hasn't been paying attention.)
I still think drafting Collins might be drafting the best player available (unless williams is there) and fills a huge need. I dont like the idea of adding a guy who was largely unimpressive as a pro.
Kwall what's your thoughts on McPhee? Not cut out for the 4-3? He's about 6'2 280 so I'd think he can rumble in any defense... But not sure.
Either way if NYG can add a rangy safety snd a guy for both the OL and DL id be thrilled. Then go into the draft looking for play makers.
The playoff games I remember him jumping in both but the one game that stands out is the one where Percy Harvin had two td's called back on back to back plays because of 2 penalties by Carpenter. Obviously those weren't false start penalties.
He is not that good
True, that was a huge REACH for Pete Carroll in the 1st round.
But Carpenter is injured a whole lot. I wouldn't break the bank for him, but he could be an option if affordable.
Quote:
a 1st rd pick - He was not good at RT and got replaced. He was not good at RG and got replaced. He then moved to RG, next to Okung and he was OK.
He is not that good
True, that was a huge REACH for Pete Carroll in the 1st round.
But Carpenter is injured a whole lot. I wouldn't break the bank for him, but he could be an option if affordable.
Agree. I think he'll want more than what the Giants should pay.
Paulie
Paulie
Just in case he couldn't read your handle?
-Chopper
;-)
Rjanyg : 2/23/2015 11:44 pm : link : reply
But I am more interested in seeing Orlando Franklin here. He can play RT or LG which will allow the Giants to go OL in the 2nd or later for depth. Franklin's versatility is the key. The Giants can determine who is best at LG between him and Pugh.
I think Franklin would be number 1 FA target...opens up so many possibilities come the draft.
Somehow signing this on guy is going to make Mr Stay puff Breatty a good Run blocker? Pugh isn't an NFL tackle. It showed last year and it was t Becuase he aS dinged up. He's not T. Beatty is about as aversge as they get but is going to be 30. This isnt a team with only one hole on the OL
Going for offensive speed over D or OL early dooms this team to be Atlanta. We don't even know for sure if JPP comes back. I'd take Beasley, Shelton or Fowler over any WR in this draft Offensive speed is awsome but signing this guy doesn't begin to ensure the long or short term issues w the OL. There will be 3-5 other players with similar grades at positions much more dire that WR at 9 and even in the 2nd round over WR.
Signing this kid should be looked at but this team has huge holes all over except at WR. it's like WR is the only positon on the field here at BBI w many.
Link - ( New Window )
Bottom line, I respect your x/o opinion far more than I do my own. why does Pugh belong inside? he seemed to do pretty well at RT in his rookie year, but then had a sophomore slump.
Sign a FA RT - I like Bulaga, but he's got an injury history.
I'd take a look at Parnell from Dallas too.
My football opinion is he is adequate but absolutely upgradeable at RT. He's apparently gotten stronger and is close to 320 now. He's built more like an OG with the short, squat legs and shorter arms, and he tends to struggle with speed on the edge. He has the feet/AA and smarts to perform the job of an OG, he can reach the next levels of the defense and hit moving targets, really the question is does he have enough power to play inside. I think he will. I was told my suspicions were correct that they want more size and power at RT. Whether they find that upgrade remains to be seen, which is why Pugh remains at RT for now. Without an upgrade, he stays put.