Hello Giants Fans,
Check out my podcast, the Word of Josh as I cover the birth of free agency in 1993 and specifically the impact of late off season signing of linebacker Michael Brooks.
Brooks was signed on June 7, 1993, after having the transition tag removed from him in Denver. Three days later, he was signed by the Giants as George Young reunited new Head Coach Dan Reeves with his 1992 pro bowl linebacker.
Brooks signing had consequences and led to the Giants removing the transition tag from Carl Banks and made Banks an Unrestricted Free Agent three months into free agency. Banks ultimately signed with the Redskins and the Redskins wound up trading Franchise Tagged Wilbur Marshal.
The Giants meanwhile had an issue, because while Brooks played outside linebacker his first three years in Denver, he had been an Inside linebacker in '90, '91, '92. Coach Reeves had conversations with Pepper Johnson about moving to outside linebacker, where he had never played and oh boy the way, was in the final year of his contract before free agency.
Johnson, not one to not speak his mind, stated his displeasure and at the end of training camp in "93, the Giants released Johnson.
Why is this so crazy? Because in February of '93 as free agency was about to start, the Giants placed their transition TAGS on Banks and Johnson. That is right they transition tagged Johnson while he still had a year left on his contract. They were allowed to do that in '93 and carry it over to '94.
Fun Fact, John "Jumbo" Elliott was the Giants first player to ever be given the Franchise Tag.
Check out the podcast on its host platform of podomatic at the link below.
You can also check out the podcast on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/word-of-josh/id1547380080?fbclid=IwAR3C9qAL7-PC_Aiy03hqATfV3_Ky2RPET2-QeA5l71s5iQbOwhO9AbxRkKc
Word of Josh 2K21 - 1993 and the saga of Michael Brooks - (
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1993 was such a weird year. We sign Simms and LT which was great but Banks and Pepper leave, we basically had an entirely new LB Corp with Bailey, Brooks and Miller. Same with WR with Sherrard and Jackson.
1993 was such a weird year. We sign Simms and LT which was great but Banks and Pepper leave, we basically had an entirely new LB Corp with Bailey, Brooks and Miller. Same with WR with Sherrard and Jackson.
Armstead has 2 starts in his first three years (!!!) on the team. So stupid.