This year in my free agency preview, I’ve broken down the team’s needs into two areas: areas of immediate need (positions where the Giants need help and must target these spots in free agency and/or the draft this year) and areas to build depth.
Areas of immediate need:
None, provided current players are resigned
Areas to build depth:
S, CB, LB, DE, OL, QB
First, let’s start by stating that the Giants’ roster is in terrific shape. The team is young for the most part at every position and because of last year’s fantastic draft and waiver wire pickups (see Dominic Hixon, Madison Hedgecock) has quality across the board and will bring back a very talented team. I expect GM Jerry Reese to take a similar approach to last year, opting to build via the draft rather than free agency. Despite their excellent salary cap position, the Giants would be wise to take a pass on getting into a spending contest in acquiring a marquee player (most teams are in very good cap shape) and use a portion of their money to not only sign their own free agents, but extend the contracts of current players before free agency becomes an issue. That’s why my areas of immediate need are described as none, with the caveat being they must resign their own. Take care of in-house first. Offensively, the only significant name is Derrick Ward, and while I like Ward, I’d rather use the extra money if necessary on Mitchell and/or Wilson. Running back, in my estimation, is the easiest position in the draft to obtain a good player, especially in rounds 2-4. The Giants’ defense finished in the top 10 last year and made great strides from the year before. They are a good defense that turned it on full throttle by the playoffs. What this team has an opportunity to do is become a very good to dominating defense on a more consistent basis if they play their chips right. Let’s take a closer look.
I would like to see the Giants bring back the following free agents (where “R†designates restricted):
- Gibril Wilson
- Kawika Mitchell
- Derrick Ward
- Jeff Feagles (resigned, February 13th)
- Lawrence Tynes (resigned, February 25th)
- James Butler (R)
Safety:
I feel the Giants are a ball-hawking safety away from really having an outstanding defense, someone along the lines of Bob Sanders or Troy Polamalo. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be anyone in free agency or the draft that fits the bill. James Butler is the proverbial whipping boy of most Giant bloggers and discussion boards. And while I have taken my shots at him on occassion, one quote from Steve Spagnuolo makes me take notice: “He’s the guy back there who keeps things together.†Say what you want about Butler, he was the starting safety on a Super Bowl winning team. Could the Giants do better? Certainly. Should they let him walk? No way. He’s restricted, so bring him back for at least one more season, and at the very worse, he’s a very good backup. That brings us to Gibril Wilson, the real key to this discussion. Early counts say he wants a boatload of money, which could scare the Giants off. Wilson is a solid player and a legit NFL starting safety. But he is no Bob Sanders. The Giants won’t overspend, and here’s hoping a common ground can be worked out, because with Wilson, Michael Johnson (who could be ready to start), and a draft pick the Giants would have a nice foursome of safeties. Losing him would quickly categorize this as an area of immediate need. Two unrestricted names in the free agent pool are Madieu Williams (Cincy) and Eugene Wilson (NE), and if the Giants lose Gibril one of those could be a suitable replacement. Wilson has played on Super Bowl teams, plus has some versatility (having played CB in college).
Corner:
Aaron Ross was an outstanding pick by Jerry Reese and made a quick transition to the NFL game. The idea behind obtaining another corner is to groom someone to replace veteran Sam Madison, eventually, and team with Ross. Kevin Dockery is a classic nickel/dime corner and the reborn Corey Webster gives the team depth. For all I know, Webster could be the eventual replacement for Madison based on his late season play, but for now, I am willing to be satisfied with him as a competent corner in the rotation, something he didn’t display for most of his career. Free agents corners cost a bundle (in fact, NE’s Assante Samuel could command the most money of all FA’s), so I’d rather see the draft be used here.
Linebacker:
Much like safety, this position hinges on retaining our own. The Giants have two free agents, Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor. Simply stated, you don’t get to bring both guys back. Torbor probably wants a chance to start in the league after four years as a reserve, and if the Giants bring back Mitchell (my preferred choice) then Torbor goes elsewhere. If Mitchell wants too much in the Giants’ estimation, then Torbor could be a less costly fit. As I said, Mitchell is the obvious choice. The guy is productive, and most importantly, doesn’t miss games. He’s steady, and behind that very good defensive line, that’s all you need. It will come down to how much he is asking for, as teams from around the league are very aware of how well he played this season. If the Giants were to lose both, that means third year man Gerris Wilkinson would be anointed the starter and they’d be left with only Chase Blackburn and Zach DeOssie as the main reserves, creating a depth problem. If the Giants were to lose Mitchell and Torbor, could the Bear’s Lance Briggs be a possibility (note: he’s close with Antonio Pierce)? Speaking of Antonio, drafting his eventual replacement should not be considered out of the question.
Defensive End:
What you say? Remember when the Giants drafted Kiwi in 2006? Who did the Giants have already on the line? Say it with me: Strahan, Osi, and Tuck. They were all on the roster and injury free. And of course we all threw our hands up and mocked the pick. As it turns out, injuries that year proved why you can never have enough depth. And when you consider Kiwi is still slated to play linebacker this year combined with Strahan possibly not returning, drafting and developing another end is definitely something to consider.
Offensive Line:
This unit continues to be one of the main reasons for the team’s success. Just like with the defensive line, if you can control the line of scrimmage you just put yourself in a better position to win games in the NFL. So why not continue to stockpile depth on such an important unit? The entire line is relatively young and signed. Grey Ruegamer is a solid veteran backup on the inside and tackle Guy Whimper has looked good in limited action. I’d like to see the Giants maybe take a look at a center/guard prospect to eventually replace Ruegamer. As always, drafting a prospect at tackle should never be discounted, and this year is very deep at OT.
Quarterback:
Second year in a row I am mentioning this. Last year, I had to clearly state it didn’t concern the starter, Eli Manning. After this season, that needs no clarification. Manning has started every game of his young career. Are you confident enough if he was to miss three weeks with an injury that our current backups could do the job? Trent Green was just released by Miami, and is the perfect type of veteran the Giants could use. It’s a position to not neglect. Todd Collins also could be a nice pickup, or if released, Mark Brunell who has ties to Coughlin.
After the free agency period settles down and we move closer to the end of April, I’ll re-evaluate the Giants roster and preview the 2008 NFL draft.
