Okay, I know that the OL has been a problem, and while there has been much improvement since Sept. 10 it still ought to be one of the top priorities over this next offseason.
Having said that, the clear priority has to be LB, imo. Here's who we have under contract next year:
Ishaq Williams
Nigel Harris
BJ Goodson
Calvin Munson
Curtis Grant.
The following will be UFA (with age):
Casillas (30), Robinson (28), Kennard (26), Thomas (29), Herzlich (30).
We will have on ERFA:
Capi
Who on the 2018 roster do you feel comfortable with beyond Goodson?
Which of the UFA will we want back? Robinson & Kennard, but at what price?
The entire LB corps needs to be addressed. Looking over the 2018 FA list with their current age, team, salary, games played, tackles, and other and considering only guys 28 and younger, we have a few candidates:
Nigel Bradham - 28, PHI, $3.5MM, 6, 38
Demario Davis - 28, NYJ, $2.25MM, 6, 53, (2 sacks, 6 QB hits)
Tahir Whitehead - 27, DET, $4MM, 6, 36, (1 hit, 1 int)
Zach Brown - 25, WAS, $2.3MM, 5, 50
Jon Bostic - 26, IND, $690K, 6, 45
Telvin Smith - 26, JAC, $607K, 6, 48, (1 sack, 1 hit, 1 FF, 2 INT)
Avery Williamson - 25, TEN, $603K, 6, 34, (1 FF)
So what's your plan BBI? Counting on draft choices, or are there other FA you want?
I'd also add that while virtually the entire secondary are all under contract through next year, I would be for another high draft pick 1 or 2 going to the DB corps. Thompson has looked good at times, but nowhere near Collins in terms of impact. Obviously, that's a high bar, but adding another player of even Eli Apple's level would be good as far as contingency in the secondary goes. DRC has one more year. Collins will need a new contract. Getting a cost controlled stud in the mix would add a lot to our D.
An upper echelon OLB would be nice though.
He's a definite sign if he wants to stay for low money. Probably under $3MM/yr for a couple of years, imo.
He's a definite sign if he wants to stay for low money. Probably under $3MM/yr for a couple of years, imo.
I'd give him a similar deal to Casillas. Probably a little more (I don't know that he'd take only 3 mm in the current market) 4 year/4.5 mill per. Similar to the Ellison contract.
As far as WLB goes, I think Robinson re-sign is the best FA option. I'd rather keep Kennard and go WLB in the draft than vice versa.
Flowers, Hart, Wheeler, Jerry, Gettis, Halapio
Jones is a Restricted FA.
Guys who are UFA: Fluker, Pugh, Richburg and of course, Bisnowaty.
While we need OL help, the LB position looks weaker in terms of who we have signed than the OL does, imo. At least you could go Wheeler, Jerry, Jones, Hart, Flowers, or something like that on OL.
At LB you are looking at Goodson, Munson, Grant.
Both units need fixed, but the LB unit is basically empty without dipping into FA.
There's a lot less value on us spending a lot of resources on that spot though, now that we have two big DE contracts, a big DT contract, and a second rounder already on the line. How much playing time would a third DE pass rusher get to justify that move? Maybe if Spags did more of a rotation on the line.
Quote:
a pure pass rusher like osi.
There's a lot less value on us spending a lot of resources on that spot though, now that we have two big DE contracts, a big DT contract, and a second rounder already on the line. How much playing time would a third DE pass rusher get to justify that move? Maybe if Spags did more of a rotation on the line.
good point,sad that this is already being discussed.
1. A FIRST tier left tackle , so that Flowers can be moved over to right tackle (where the Giants originally drafted him for)
2. A "beastmo" type running back (not seen here since the days of Brandon Jacobs)
I think Goodson will be a stud MLB, as he gains experience; the rest of the LBs (Robinson, Cassillas etc are experienced and solid)
Mar
You pretty much just listed the entire offense other than QB and TE, and listed every position on defense other than Safety and DT. Point of this is to narrow it down to our 1 or 2 biggest needs.
Based on this year, Fluker may have more value than Richburg. The Giants may not keep either one.
No matter what happens, Giants need to find at least one solid o-lineman in free agency or from the rookies (don't count on that). And keep Pugh.
Regarding LBs, not too vulnerable as long as they have Collins. Tight ends will kill them but that's been happening for 25 years.
LB is very thin, with BJ Goodson a solid Mike, Munson a good back up. I would love Telvin Smith at WLB. He can cover lots of ground. I think drafting a LB in round 3-5 is a good probability.
We will most likely pick near the top of the draft. We need to take the QB if he is there.
But it's not the biggest need.
I'd be fine with them cluster drafting OLs (they likely won't), but they also need PASS RUSHERS. Because the only times they've been dominant in a 4-3 is when they have at least 3 quality pass rushers.
I agree that OL is a major need, but look at who we have under contract for LB. We won't have Kennard, Robinson, Casillas, Herzlich or Thomas. While Herz or Thomas aren't key contributors right now, the other three are very important pieces of our defense.
A stud RB would be great, but at least we are going into 2018 with Gallman and Perkins under contract.
LOL, too sophisticated a discussion point for some I guess.
This is why I want the Giants to trade down if they end up with a high draft slot. Load up with OL talent AND finally infuse some talent at LB.
From a financial/resource allocation perspective, if it has to be one or the other, I think you have to go OL. For better or worse this defense has been built with dollars and picks at DL and the secondary. And as others have said, it's easier and cheaper to find decent options at LB in FA vs OL.
They'll need to get something done via UFA for the OL, be it retaining two of their own (I doubt three, not seeing them spend big on a Center) and seeing if a starting caliber tackle they want is interested in signing. In my opinion, this is their biggest to-do item and priority during UFA. I don't foresee them spending big open market dolers otherwise in 2018.
LB? We know how the story goes, they got the MIKE and DTs to build the 4-3 run front around, the rest is probably the value pile.
Pass rusher makes a ton of sense, given how their starters haven't really lived up to billing, and they like to deploy them in waves. But, there is a question of where/how much one would play at DE, for example. But, given two more years on JPP's deal they could certainly plug a cost-controlled DE in the pipeline and a backup would be set free.
Draft will probably be premium positions early : QB, DE, WR, CB, perhaps LT if one is there.
But, in reality not wishful thinking.
Its more about matching individuals with opportunities to improve: so, you ask yourself, 'would this particular player help us win games if he was on the field at position X on game day 1 next year'.
I don't believe in drafting kids to ride the pine, and I think the league is leaving that idea behind for various reasons. Target starters in every round. Not saying they all will be, but try.
"Premium Positions" we have obviously gotten in -lots- of trouble with this concept in the past, don't know what to tell those who still don't get it.
You try to find really outstanding players, players that could change games, if those match up with weak spots on the roster, questionable existing contracts or old players, so much the better.
I have no problem drafting linebackers next year if they have serious value at a draft spot.
Will stick to the last years, year before, heck, many years out of the past tens, 'trade down, value guards and DTs far above what most fans do', in terms of round priority, not in terms of player rank, that is individual.
But, LB? by all means. I think there is one DT spot open as well! Guards and centers, after one game we are not done with this project yet.
Yes, I advocated strongly for the schematic changes of last week, BUT, one still have to draft well.
I don't expect them to change their philosophy, I'd rather discuss what they will most likely do.
To each his own. That fine, I am not here to tell you what interests you! Jonc.
I prefer the old 'what the team SHOULD do'. Its just more interesting to me.
1. Franchise QB, if possible take one NOW! Unless Webb is him(????)
2. LT - Wheeler might develop, but a classic lock-down LT would be fantastic to have for the next decade.
3. WLB only, not MLB or SLB [resign Kenard] - we need a speedy cover guy who can be a pro-bowl consideration.
4. Tall WR who can fly.
5. DE - not desperate, but always a need. Spags would rotate more if he had another big talent.
6. CB or FS - again, not desperate, but always a need.