The two players I would really like the giants to re sign are Fluker and Kennard. Two of the problems with the way Reese ran the team, too many one year contracts and failure to resign players before they hit free agency.It should be much more expensive to sign a free agent who is healthy (or relatively healthy) than to resign a player who might be worried that he will get hurt before he is eligible for free agency.
If the giants want to pick a QB in the first round they need to resign Fluker and get a tackle in free agency or the second round.
free agents - (
New Window )
Fluker - yes. Liked him a lot.
Quite literally the new GM is going to have to start over on the OL, LB and RB.
When FA starts the Giants will have:
- ONE starting caliber OL on their roster - Erik Flowers - and even that maybe a stretch.
- They will have ONE starting caliber LB in BJ Goodson - and that's a stretch (injuries)
- and ONE contributing member to the backfield in Gallman
Giants are in a real bind on this OL thing...
It's something that has been missing, and probably my biggest complaint against Pugh, Flowers, Jerry, Hart, and Richburg.
You have to have guys who set the tone for a physical style of play. They are the ones who lead your team into battle.
I think this is because of a flaw in our offensive practices and coaching. McAdoo has put a premium on leaving practices healthy and the offense has been progressively weaker under him. Coaches cannot determine how physical a player is until they get into game action. Players who are fundamentally sound in practice get their butts whooped on game day, and coaches struggle to understand why.
The drawback of course is that physically tough players often have shorter careers.
Also, in my previous post about tough players, I neglected to mention Seubert, who was also known as always being in the first fights of camp and was a scrappy sucker.
NYG needs to be wise on whom they choose to retain, it would be awfully easy to trip and hand Pugh or these guys too much $.
Will Flowers develop into a solid LT or should he be playing RT or Guard?
Is Pugh a better at tackle than at guard, can he play LT?
What is Webb's potential and do we need to draft a QB successor?
Who can play MLB? Goodson? Kennard?
Do the Giants have a starting FS on the roster?
Is Fluker a keeper or a 1-year rental?
Can Apple play?
The only questions that have been answered are all negative.
Is Hart a tackle? No.
Is Richburg a reliable center? Appears No.
Did the Giants greatly overpay for Vernon and JPP? Sure looks that way.
Is McAdoo a good HC? Obviously that's a big NO!
I guess there is one positive answer to a question. Is your #1 draft pick a difference maker? I guess that's a Yes.
Both are heading toward the prime of their careers, with Fluker being a higher priority.
Kennards ability to be a 3rd down pass rusher is an added plus.
I hope they both return without breaking the bank.
That's a VERY real possibility next year:
Hart - sucks (backup material at best)
Jerry - old and sucks (depressing to think he might be the starting RG next year)
Richburg - FA
Pugh - FA
Flowers - I assume he'll be the only one back starting next year somewhere along the line
It's something that has been missing, and probably my biggest complaint against Pugh, Flowers, Jerry, Hart, and Richburg.
You have to have guys who set the tone for a physical style of play. They are the ones who lead your team into battle.
Dnew15 : 11:07 am : link : reply
the more I realize what a butcher job that OL is...when is the last time an NFL team had ONE player return to their OL as a starter from one year to the next?
Minny blew up their line and has been really solid this year. I also think the Rams only have 2 guys from last year (but only one starter) back on the line.
We've seen it in previous year's with other teams, with middling results. The Jags, Chiefs and Raiders have had teams recently that had overhauls to the OL in an offseason where only 1 or 2 players from the year before is there.
Minny blew up their line and has been really solid this year. I also think the Rams only have 2 guys from last year (but only one starter) back on the line.
We've seen it in previous year's with other teams, with middling results. The Jags, Chiefs and Raiders have had teams recently that had overhauls to the OL in an offseason where only 1 or 2 players from the year before is there.
It's nice to find two examples from the current season.
What's even nicer is to consider that it in these cases it may not have been bad players who suddenly became good ones, but perhaps better schemes or better coaches or just a change of pace that helped talented players play up to their abilities.
Considering our expectations for better coaches, schemes, etc., there is a lot of reason for hope that we can turn things around in a year, even if (or especially if) we bring in 3-4 new starters this year.
Easton and Berger for the Viks
Giants theoretically could return
Flowers and Jerry
Quote:
The more I think about it..
Dnew15 : 11:07 am : link : reply
the more I realize what a butcher job that OL is...when is the last time an NFL team had ONE player return to their OL as a starter from one year to the next?
Minny blew up their line and has been really solid this year. I also think the Rams only have 2 guys from last year (but only one starter) back on the line.
We've seen it in previous year's with other teams, with middling results. The Jags, Chiefs and Raiders have had teams recently that had overhauls to the OL in an offseason where only 1 or 2 players from the year before is there.
There will be no FAs available close to the talent level of the guys those teams got in FA.
If the Giants are gonna flip the OL, they’re gonna have to hit on multiple picks in the draft.