Ian Rapoport & #8207;@RapSheet 4m4 minutes ago
Officially: Dez Bryant, Justin Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Demaryius Thomas have been franchise tagged, sources say.
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they wouldn't be so far apart on the contract that they'd feel the need to franchise him. I think they like him, but have reservations about him. That should be the red flag for them, but their reservations don't seem to outweigh their attachment to the player. We've seen them make mistakes in this area in the past.
Hey I have no particular dislike for JPP. Just calling it like I see it.
with the poor competition. It's the silliest argument BBI has made in a long time.
JPP shit all over some of the best left tackles in the NFL this past season and he played like a God in the 2011 postseason. The guy can play. We know that.
can go back and forth on his play over the years. I thought he was very good last year, rounding into form. I don't care that his sacks came in bunches at the end of the season. As others have said, he was good against Smith, and may well be the best run stuffing DE in football.
What concerns me is that he did show up out of shape one year, and has had back problems, including surgery. It also costs nearly $15M to keep him, all of which counts against this year's cap, and he may be unhappy the whole year. Just see what the FA market is for his services. He can still negotiate with other teams. We'll know more in a few days.
15 million for one year is a pretty good "Guarantee"
Sure, he'd get more on a long term deal, but worse case scenario he gets 15 mil. He is set for life. Even if he got hurt next, say he tore his ACL, he would still make money in 2016 - he would sign on with someone for good money.
But, if he's worried about his back, then maybe he does want to sign a long term deal and take a larger pay day now.
Hopefully they'll work out their differences and get something done so we aren't stuck with a 15 mil in cap space for 2015.
the Giants should have reservations about a long term deal
and for the record, I hate the FT but I am praying that they come to terms and can scrap the FT by the time FA rolls around.
I don't want to keep JPP at one more year for 15 per. I think that's counterproductive. I can see why they tagged him but I really hope a long term deal is reached. Fuck this 15 mill cap hit.
Would love to get a 1st this year and a 1st next year for him
And who do you think JPP is? There isn't any way in Haitis another team would sign him and give up (2) 1st rounders plus pay his price! I truly question if he is worth the $15M, call me lame-crazy-ill informed! JMHO.
There are some question marks though that are unavoidable:
- He came in out of shape after his best season
- He's been injury prone
- The defense has been garbage in each of his five pro seasons (this obviously isn't entirely his fault, but we're talking about paying him cornerstone money here)
Be objective. How many times do big guys get more committed (and healthier) once they get the kind of money JPP figures to get in his next contract?
If I'm an Eagle or Cowboy fan this news makes me happy.
Good post Terps.
Do you know (or does anyone else) a team can remove the franchise tag? For instance, let's say they did this to buy time to negotiate a longer deal and couldn't come to an agreement. Can they then take the tag away and let him become a FA?
It's about as basic question: will the return on the investment be sufficient to justify the investment? I think there are enormous reasons to question whether it would be. For me that's what it's all about.
And I think the Giants took a half measure in tagging him. In doing so I think they've tipped their hand about their reservations over a market rate contract as well as risked alienating the player and hurting the 2015 season.
These things rarely end well.
RE: It's not about letting him walk without a fight
It's about as basic question: will the return on the investment be sufficient to justify the investment? I think there are enormous reasons to question whether it would be. For me that's what it's all about.
And I think the Giants took a half measure in tagging him. In doing so I think they've tipped their hand about their reservations over a market rate contract as well as risked alienating the player and hurting the 2015 season.
The
AcidTest : 3:16 pm : link : reply
Giants may think he'll lower his contract demands rather than risk playing an entire season with no guaranteed money.
Well, he can step off a curb, once he signs it, because that 15M is guaranteed....
The
AcidTest : 3:16 pm : link : reply
Giants may think he'll lower his contract demands rather than risk playing an entire season with no guaranteed money.
Well, he can step off a curb, once he signs it, because that 15M is guaranteed....
Good point. The $15M is guaranteed once he signs it. An injury would hurt his ability to get additional guaranteed money in his next contract, but the entire $15M is guaranteed.
they wouldn't be so far apart on the contract that they'd feel the need to franchise him.
Hey I have no particular dislike for JPP. Just calling it like I see it.
I disagree with the assumption that the Giants used the franchise tag because they were far apart. Past history has shown that the team has been able to come to terms with a player after franchising him so why is this case different?
is the that money it ties up will prevent other, desperately needed, moves.
By the time this gets resolved, all the best players may well be gone. Best case scenario, he gets more realistic sense of his value and signs and Giants may be able to sign something form the leftovers. Worst case scenario - JPP plays one more year limiting their ability to make moves, then walks away next year - impacting two off-seasons of rebuilding. Keeping in mind the shelf life left on Eli.
Not sure there was a good resolution to the JPP issue.
RE: It's not about letting him walk without a fight
In doing so I think they've tipped their hand about their reservations over a market rate contract as well as risked alienating the player and hurting the 2015 season.
They haven't risked anything about 2015. Not yet, anyway. It's March 2nd.
If they don't sign him to a long term deal and they let him play on the FT? Yep, that could very well be an issue.
But if they sign him to a long term deal, then he'll be all forgiving...
We don't know what we don't know. We make the best decision with all the info we have.
I'm not sure what the alternative here is. The Giants made the best move at this time. If he walks, the get two #1s.
It's strange- The argument is that we don't know if we'll get sufficient ROI, but somehow the draft/free agency carries no risk? I don't get it.
I'm not sure why anyone here is shocked about any of this.
I'm not shocked by any of this, I just think it's a mistake.
And we all know we aren't going to be getting two number ones. Instead we're going to get a potentially unhappy player at a $15 million cap hit in 2015.
And of course any other free agent or draft pick is going to be an unknown quantity to an extent. My point is simply that JPP is as well known a quantity as you can expect to have, and I don't value that quantity the same way the Giants do. Not even close.
There are some question marks though that are unavoidable:
- He came in out of shape after his best season
- He's been injury prone
- The defense has been garbage in each of his five pro seasons (this obviously isn't entirely his fault, but we're talking about paying him cornerstone money here)
Be objective. How many times do big guys get more committed (and healthier) once they get the kind of money JPP figures to get in his next contract?
If I'm an Eagle or Cowboy fan this news makes me happy.
Good post Terps.
Do you know (or does anyone else) a team can remove the franchise tag? For instance, let's say they did this to buy time to negotiate a longer deal and couldn't come to an agreement. Can they then take the tag away and let him become a FA?
No.
Yes. If the franchise tag has not yet been signed it can be removed.
Look. I'm going to have an unpopular opinion here but with all of the pro-JPP talk this stuff needs to be said.
1) The guy has a chronic bad back. Are we looking to lock a guy up for one of the richest contracts in NFL history with a known issue?
2) The guy is a little immature (see Prince incident).
3) The guy has in the past reported to camp out of shape. Last year was a CONTRACT year and he still wasn't in the condition he was when he was drafted.
4) The guy is an top end pass rusher when he isn't the focus of an opposing OL and a MEDIOCRE run stuffer. This BS I read about him being so stout against the run like Strahan is BS. PLENTY of times the opponent ran right at him and he got blown off the ball or got lost on a pass rush as the back scooted past him.
5) He had to be taken off the field due to injury at least 6 times last year. Now some times he came back but it's just not a good indication of a reliable sturdy player.
What I am saying is this. He isn't a game changer like Watt or even Suh.
In my opinion, JPP is a slightly above average DE who doesn't excel against stiff competition.
That's why the franchise tag is perfect for him. Yes it's a big hit this year on the cap but he's still young. If he wants it, then let him prove me wrong. If he has 16 sacks and an all pro year then pay the dude. Last year was a chance for him in a contract year to play lights out. He played OK. That's it. OK.
If he wants security this year I offer him a deal like Linval got from the vikes- 6 years 30 million or something along those lines with some of it being incentive based. Take it, or play on the tag.
a few days he can start talking with other teams. Somebody with a lot of cap room might well offer him a lot. Of course, it's not just the big contract. It's the draft picks, even if it is less than 2 #1s. Teams may just prefer to wait a year until he is a FA, so they don't have to give up the picks. But he's a marquee player with name recognition around the league. I think the total cost will be too high, but stranger things have happened.
Continues to amaze me many people are against him. Please explain who the hell any other DE got sacks against - all the best DE gets sacks against the poorer T - that is a fact. Go look up all these guys and see who they got sacks against - only JPP seems to get ripped for it.
Absolute BS about him not being good against the run. he is at the top of the list when it comes to run defense. Yes, he has trouble containing QB who weight 60lbs less than him - as does every single DE.
He is a 25 year old top level DE - who do you even try and replace him with. 2 marginal guys at less price gets you 2 players on Kiwi level - nothing
have had contentious contract negotiations with players before. Strahan and NYG clashed time and time again. The 80s it was even worse with the annual summer holdouts. These things are usually ugly. Doesn't mean they will end ugly.
This is a classic damned if you do damned if you don't scenario. There is no easy slam dunk answer. Letting a 26 year old star DE walk for nothing can get people fired. Signing the guy and watching him struggle or get hurt can do the same.
I'm sure many will be around here saying I told you so if something goes wrong but to sit here and proclaim that this is an easy call is laughable. I'd hate to be Reese right now. I still think the best move is to keep the good player right here. IF JPP was 32 i'd think otherwise but he's not 32. And he's coming off a very very good season.
if JPP was a Chief the Giants fans around here would be drooling over the prospects of signing a 25 year old DE that averages close to 10 sacks a year and carried his defense to a super bowl title and plays the run as well as anyone.
Who really knows that for sure? Who really knows how committed either side is to any numbers that have been proposed so far?
The franchise tag is only a useful negotiating tool with a handful of players. Most guys would jump at a franchise tag salary because most guys aren't worth that much and will never see that much. The FT is a good negotiating tactic for the Giants because they could probably live with it more easily than the player can. Meanwhile they get extra time to negotiate and maybe they make the player feel the team is "serious" about not meeting his initial demand and he begins to be amenable to a lower number. Meanwhile of course, the Giants can listen to any trade offers that come their way but no team can afford the two picks plus the big money so JPP can't get a genuine feel for how much he might be offered on the open market. And the idea that JPP would tank the season out of pique sounds ridiculous to me. He'd hurt himself at least as much as he'd hurt the Giants.
He is only good against weak competition. I have seen him dominate great left tackles and good teams. He is a force against the run and a very good pass rusher. He also bats down passes and has two pick sixes in his career. The one question I have is his durability but to say he is overrated to me is just wrong. He is an elite player when healthy. He is going to get a boatload of money from the giants and he deserves it IMO.
is an elite 4-3 DE vs the run and very good rushing the passer.
if you remove him from the team, who do you replace him with?
the answer is not on the roster and not probably not available for less in free agency (assuming JPP is extended).
The Giants are a worse team without him and the player who could be added to make them as good or better is non-existent.
Exactly. Right now we have three definite defensive starters: Prince, DRC and Hankins. That's it. And yet fans here want to let a fourth walk out the door. Unbelievable.
He had a back issue in 2012 in which he didnt miss a game.. and had surgery in 2013... and in 2014 he started every game and played something like 90% of the total defensive snaps which is in the top ten in the league.. If his issue was truly CHRONIC I dont think you would see that...
So all the people who didnt want to franchise JPP because of the $15M
Cap hit, where would you have spent the money? How about a DE in FA, how much is that going to cost? If you think he is a top 10 DE then to replace him with a similar caliber player you are going to have to shell out over $10M. So we may be overpaying by $5M but we have a guy that the coaches already know.
Factor in that the coach who is pretty much in a win now mode wants the player back this was a must move.
Guys like Jared Allen got $12.5 Million and he is pretty much done. DeMarcus Ware got about $9M and he is done. If you want talent you have to pay for it. Even Tuck is signed for $5M. These guys are washed up.
Hopefully we sign a longer term deal in the $10-$12M a year range but when you look at other players at the position thats what he is worth. The Giants dont let a lot fo talent out the door unless there is a clear replacement on the roster which they have done at the DT position. There is no clear replacement on the roster and a rookie is not going to have an immediate impact. This was a must move with the situation the coaching staff is in.
In order to be in the Suh sweepstakes, the Giants would have had to get JPP signed for a reasonable amount or outright fail to make an offer, letting him walk for free.
If JPP walked, the Giants would only have a shot at Suh. There is really no practical way the Gmen could go for Suh.
Giants have a ton of future cap room after this year and ways to make some more room this year. Strategically structured incoming FA contracts with low first year hits (w/ bigger cap money year 2 and beyond) are a strong possibility which will allow them to do more than what it looks on the surface.
RE: So all the people who didnt want to franchise JPP because of the $15M
Cap hit, where would you have spent the money? How about a DE in FA, how much is that going to cost? If you think he is a top 10 DE then to replace him with a similar caliber player you are going to have to shell out over $10M. So we may be overpaying by $5M but we have a guy that the coaches already know.
Factor in that the coach who is pretty much in a win now mode wants the player back this was a must move.
Guys like Jared Allen got $12.5 Million and he is pretty much done. DeMarcus Ware got about $9M and he is done. If you want talent you have to pay for it. Even Tuck is signed for $5M. These guys are washed up.
Hopefully we sign a longer term deal in the $10-$12M a year range but when you look at other players at the position thats what he is worth. The Giants dont let a lot fo talent out the door unless there is a clear replacement on the roster which they have done at the DT position. There is no clear replacement on the roster and a rookie is not going to have an immediate impact. This was a must move with the situation the coaching staff is in.
If the Giants are making personnel decisions with major long-term consequences because the coach is in "win-now" mode, they're not a very well run organization.
If they can't work anything reasonable out with Pierre-Paul, they shouldn't waste everybody's time and money holding him to the Tag contract. The smart move is to trade him to somebody who will his demands (or, absent decent trade offers, rescind the Tag and collect the comp pick in 2016), and invest that cap space in assets that have value beyond 2015. Absent appropriate FAs to sign, it's laughably easy to shift cap room from year-to-year. Just structure Eli's extension with heavy cap impact in year 1 and more lenient cap hits in 2016-18.
But JPP is holding all the cards right now....he doesn't have to sign the sheet yet....has it been established how long he can hold out before having to sign it? As long as he doesn't sign it, he does not have to go to anything the Giants schedule before camp starts....
He can visit whoever he wants....get the best deal, and the Giants have to match it.....the question remains though, can he hold out until after the draft by not signing the deal? If he can, this really screws the Giants....it throws any plans they have into the air....
I seriously doubt he would sign it, and play one year and do this all over again....of course, if he has a bad/average year(due to playing it safe), I doubt the Giants would franchise him again....
Hey I have no particular dislike for JPP. Just calling it like I see it.
JPP shit all over some of the best left tackles in the NFL this past season and he played like a God in the 2011 postseason. The guy can play. We know that.
What concerns me is that he did show up out of shape one year, and has had back problems, including surgery. It also costs nearly $15M to keep him, all of which counts against this year's cap, and he may be unhappy the whole year. Just see what the FA market is for his services. He can still negotiate with other teams. We'll know more in a few days.
But, if he's worried about his back, then maybe he does want to sign a long term deal and take a larger pay day now.
Hopefully they'll work out their differences and get something done so we aren't stuck with a 15 mil in cap space for 2015.
But more than a few posters are saying to let this guy walk without much of a fight. That's nonsense.
Well, that is $15 million of cap space gone..
JJ Watt had 13 sacks against: Wash, NYG, Ten, Clev, Jax.
What was it you were saying about "poor competition"?
I don't want to keep JPP at one more year for 15 per. I think that's counterproductive. I can see why they tagged him but I really hope a long term deal is reached. Fuck this 15 mill cap hit.
And who do you think JPP is? There isn't any way in Haitis another team would sign him and give up (2) 1st rounders plus pay his price! I truly question if he is worth the $15M, call me lame-crazy-ill informed! JMHO.
Want to win the East? Beat up on the bad teams. Feast on the weak.
So yeah...keep on beating that drum.
Quote:
There are some question marks though that are unavoidable:
- He came in out of shape after his best season
- He's been injury prone
- The defense has been garbage in each of his five pro seasons (this obviously isn't entirely his fault, but we're talking about paying him cornerstone money here)
Be objective. How many times do big guys get more committed (and healthier) once they get the kind of money JPP figures to get in his next contract?
If I'm an Eagle or Cowboy fan this news makes me happy.
Good post Terps.
Do you know (or does anyone else) a team can remove the franchise tag? For instance, let's say they did this to buy time to negotiate a longer deal and couldn't come to an agreement. Can they then take the tag away and let him become a FA?
No.
New York Giants Designate Jason Pierre-Paul Franchise Player - ( New Window )
And I think the Giants took a half measure in tagging him. In doing so I think they've tipped their hand about their reservations over a market rate contract as well as risked alienating the player and hurting the 2015 season.
These things rarely end well.
And I think the Giants took a half measure in tagging him. In doing so I think they've tipped their hand about their reservations over a market rate contract as well as risked alienating the player and hurting the 2015 season.
These things rarely end well.
Valid points!
AcidTest : 3:16 pm : link : reply
Giants may think he'll lower his contract demands rather than risk playing an entire season with no guaranteed money.
Well, he can step off a curb, once he signs it, because that 15M is guaranteed....
They get, basically, 2 low second round draft picks for him....not a bad deal for a contender....
I'm not sure what the alternative here is. The Giants made the best move at this time. If he walks, the get two #1s.
It's strange- The argument is that we don't know if we'll get sufficient ROI, but somehow the draft/free agency carries no risk? I don't get it.
I'm not sure why anyone here is shocked about any of this.
AcidTest : 3:16 pm : link : reply
Giants may think he'll lower his contract demands rather than risk playing an entire season with no guaranteed money.
Well, he can step off a curb, once he signs it, because that 15M is guaranteed....
Good point. The $15M is guaranteed once he signs it. An injury would hurt his ability to get additional guaranteed money in his next contract, but the entire $15M is guaranteed.
Hey I have no particular dislike for JPP. Just calling it like I see it.
I disagree with the assumption that the Giants used the franchise tag because they were far apart. Past history has shown that the team has been able to come to terms with a player after franchising him so why is this case different?
By the time this gets resolved, all the best players may well be gone. Best case scenario, he gets more realistic sense of his value and signs and Giants may be able to sign something form the leftovers. Worst case scenario - JPP plays one more year limiting their ability to make moves, then walks away next year - impacting two off-seasons of rebuilding. Keeping in mind the shelf life left on Eli.
Not sure there was a good resolution to the JPP issue.
They haven't risked anything about 2015. Not yet, anyway. It's March 2nd.
If they don't sign him to a long term deal and they let him play on the FT? Yep, that could very well be an issue.
But if they sign him to a long term deal, then he'll be all forgiving...
I'm not sure what the alternative here is. The Giants made the best move at this time. If he walks, the get two #1s.
It's strange- The argument is that we don't know if we'll get sufficient ROI, but somehow the draft/free agency carries no risk? I don't get it.
I'm not sure why anyone here is shocked about any of this.
I'm not shocked by any of this, I just think it's a mistake.
And we all know we aren't going to be getting two number ones. Instead we're going to get a potentially unhappy player at a $15 million cap hit in 2015.
And of course any other free agent or draft pick is going to be an unknown quantity to an extent. My point is simply that JPP is as well known a quantity as you can expect to have, and I don't value that quantity the same way the Giants do. Not even close.
Quote:
In comment 12159673 Go Terps said:
Quote:
There are some question marks though that are unavoidable:
- He came in out of shape after his best season
- He's been injury prone
- The defense has been garbage in each of his five pro seasons (this obviously isn't entirely his fault, but we're talking about paying him cornerstone money here)
Be objective. How many times do big guys get more committed (and healthier) once they get the kind of money JPP figures to get in his next contract?
If I'm an Eagle or Cowboy fan this news makes me happy.
Good post Terps.
Do you know (or does anyone else) a team can remove the franchise tag? For instance, let's say they did this to buy time to negotiate a longer deal and couldn't come to an agreement. Can they then take the tag away and let him become a FA?
No.
Yes. If the franchise tag has not yet been signed it can be removed.
Look. I'm going to have an unpopular opinion here but with all of the pro-JPP talk this stuff needs to be said.
1) The guy has a chronic bad back. Are we looking to lock a guy up for one of the richest contracts in NFL history with a known issue?
2) The guy is a little immature (see Prince incident).
3) The guy has in the past reported to camp out of shape. Last year was a CONTRACT year and he still wasn't in the condition he was when he was drafted.
4) The guy is an top end pass rusher when he isn't the focus of an opposing OL and a MEDIOCRE run stuffer. This BS I read about him being so stout against the run like Strahan is BS. PLENTY of times the opponent ran right at him and he got blown off the ball or got lost on a pass rush as the back scooted past him.
5) He had to be taken off the field due to injury at least 6 times last year. Now some times he came back but it's just not a good indication of a reliable sturdy player.
What I am saying is this. He isn't a game changer like Watt or even Suh.
In my opinion, JPP is a slightly above average DE who doesn't excel against stiff competition.
That's why the franchise tag is perfect for him. Yes it's a big hit this year on the cap but he's still young. If he wants it, then let him prove me wrong. If he has 16 sacks and an all pro year then pay the dude. Last year was a chance for him in a contract year to play lights out. He played OK. That's it. OK.
If he wants security this year I offer him a deal like Linval got from the vikes- 6 years 30 million or something along those lines with some of it being incentive based. Take it, or play on the tag.
the injury thing is what concerns me the most. everyone gets hurt in the league, but is this going to be a chronic issue.
if you remove him from the team, who do you replace him with?
the answer is not on the roster and not probably not available for less in free agency (assuming JPP is extended).
The Giants are a worse team without him and the player who could be added to make them as good or better is non-existent.
Absolute BS about him not being good against the run. he is at the top of the list when it comes to run defense. Yes, he has trouble containing QB who weight 60lbs less than him - as does every single DE.
He is a 25 year old top level DE - who do you even try and replace him with. 2 marginal guys at less price gets you 2 players on Kiwi level - nothing
This is a classic damned if you do damned if you don't scenario. There is no easy slam dunk answer. Letting a 26 year old star DE walk for nothing can get people fired. Signing the guy and watching him struggle or get hurt can do the same.
I'm sure many will be around here saying I told you so if something goes wrong but to sit here and proclaim that this is an easy call is laughable. I'd hate to be Reese right now. I still think the best move is to keep the good player right here. IF JPP was 32 i'd think otherwise but he's not 32. And he's coming off a very very good season.
The franchise tag is only a useful negotiating tool with a handful of players. Most guys would jump at a franchise tag salary because most guys aren't worth that much and will never see that much. The FT is a good negotiating tactic for the Giants because they could probably live with it more easily than the player can. Meanwhile they get extra time to negotiate and maybe they make the player feel the team is "serious" about not meeting his initial demand and he begins to be amenable to a lower number. Meanwhile of course, the Giants can listen to any trade offers that come their way but no team can afford the two picks plus the big money so JPP can't get a genuine feel for how much he might be offered on the open market. And the idea that JPP would tank the season out of pique sounds ridiculous to me. He'd hurt himself at least as much as he'd hurt the Giants.
if you remove him from the team, who do you replace him with?
the answer is not on the roster and not probably not available for less in free agency (assuming JPP is extended).
The Giants are a worse team without him and the player who could be added to make them as good or better is non-existent.
Factor in that the coach who is pretty much in a win now mode wants the player back this was a must move.
Guys like Jared Allen got $12.5 Million and he is pretty much done. DeMarcus Ware got about $9M and he is done. If you want talent you have to pay for it. Even Tuck is signed for $5M. These guys are washed up.
Hopefully we sign a longer term deal in the $10-$12M a year range but when you look at other players at the position thats what he is worth. The Giants dont let a lot fo talent out the door unless there is a clear replacement on the roster which they have done at the DT position. There is no clear replacement on the roster and a rookie is not going to have an immediate impact. This was a must move with the situation the coaching staff is in.
If JPP walked, the Giants would only have a shot at Suh. There is really no practical way the Gmen could go for Suh.
Factor in that the coach who is pretty much in a win now mode wants the player back this was a must move.
Guys like Jared Allen got $12.5 Million and he is pretty much done. DeMarcus Ware got about $9M and he is done. If you want talent you have to pay for it. Even Tuck is signed for $5M. These guys are washed up.
Hopefully we sign a longer term deal in the $10-$12M a year range but when you look at other players at the position thats what he is worth. The Giants dont let a lot fo talent out the door unless there is a clear replacement on the roster which they have done at the DT position. There is no clear replacement on the roster and a rookie is not going to have an immediate impact. This was a must move with the situation the coaching staff is in.
If the Giants are making personnel decisions with major long-term consequences because the coach is in "win-now" mode, they're not a very well run organization.
If they can't work anything reasonable out with Pierre-Paul, they shouldn't waste everybody's time and money holding him to the Tag contract. The smart move is to trade him to somebody who will his demands (or, absent decent trade offers, rescind the Tag and collect the comp pick in 2016), and invest that cap space in assets that have value beyond 2015. Absent appropriate FAs to sign, it's laughably easy to shift cap room from year-to-year. Just structure Eli's extension with heavy cap impact in year 1 and more lenient cap hits in 2016-18.
He can visit whoever he wants....get the best deal, and the Giants have to match it.....the question remains though, can he hold out until after the draft by not signing the deal? If he can, this really screws the Giants....it throws any plans they have into the air....
I seriously doubt he would sign it, and play one year and do this all over again....of course, if he has a bad/average year(due to playing it safe), I doubt the Giants would franchise him again....