5 Things the New York Giants Should Do Before the Start of Free Agency
Although New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese told reporters at the end of this past season that the team isn’t planning to be as busy in free agency this year as it was last year, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Some of that work can actually be accomplished before the start of free agency, which kicks off on March 10. So, let's look at some of the moves that the team might want to try to get done before the curtain rises on the annual free agency frenzy.
Sign Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul to a Long-Term Deal
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Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is only 26 years old. While Pierre-Paul has only posted one solid year stat-wise prior to suffering through back and shoulder ailments, the Giants are apparently not willing to gamble that he’ll again be the same player he was in 2011 when he recorded 16.5 sacks.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants will use the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul if the two sides do not reach an agreement by the March 2 tag deadline.
That appears to be a given, as Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News reported on February 23 that the Giants and Pierre-Paul’s agents have yet to commence negotiations.
Using the tag, which Steve Serby of the New York Post reported will be the non-exclusive variety that brings two first-round picks from the team that chooses to sign Pierre-Paul to an offer sheet if the Giants don’t match, is simply a stalling tactic to buy more negotiating time.
Once the tag is applied, the Giants will have eight days to work out a deal that will lower Pierre-Paul’s projected 2015 cap figure, thus freeing up some of that estimated $15 million for use on other free agency needs such as offensive line, safety and linebacker.
If the two sides can't work out a deal, Pierre-Paul will continue to count for nearly $15 million in cap space. If he signs that deal, he will then become locked in at that rate for the 2015 season.
Re-Sign Fullback Henry Hynoski
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In what was somewhat a surprising development, the Giants, who re-signed fullback Henry Hynoski last season to a one-year, $1 million deal, didn’t use the 26-year-old as much in their new offense in 2014.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hynoski’s snap count on offense dropped from 428 in 2012, his last 16-game season, to 209 in 2014—a 48.8 percent reduction in his snaps.
The likely reason behind the reduction wasn’t so much Hynoski’s performance, as he finished tied with Bruce Miller of San Francisco as the second-best fullback in the NFL behind leader Anthony Sherman of Kansas City. Hynoski also placed behind just Sherman as the second-best lead-blocking fullback.
Rather, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo tended to use the tight ends more out of the backfield, which took some of the snaps that might have otherwise gone to the fullback in the past.
What was even more surprising though is that Hynoski, who per PFF data has caught 29 of 35 passes (82.8 percent) with only two drops, was not targeted once in the passing game last season.
With all that said, if the Giants are truly committed to reestablishing a power running game, they’re going to need a solid lead blocker like Hynoski.
With many NFL teams having phased out the need for a true fullback in their offense, the market for fullbacks should be small.
Still, it would probably behoove the Giants to get Hynoski signed to a two- or three-year deal before those teams that might be looking to upgrade at fullback reach out to his camp.
Rework Linebacker Jon Beason's 2015 Cap Number
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One of the cruel facts on the business side of football is when a veteran who is coming off a season-ending injury has to face either a pay reduction or a contract termination.
It doesn’t happen to everyone, but when that veteran has played just 23 games since 2011—as is the case with inside linebacker Jon Beason—it unfortunately becomes a necessity.
Beason, who negotiated a three-year deal worth $17 million including $6 million guaranteed for himself last year, struggled through a toe injury initially suffered during an OTA practice in June.
He tried everything possible to overcome it, including rest and countless pairs of shoes. In the end, his attempts to play through the injury only seemed to make it worse.
He was forced to undergo season-ending surgery in November after playing 162 defensive snaps, while not even being close to the solid player he was when the Giants acquired him in a trade with Carolina the year before.
This year Beason is due to count for $6.691 million against the cap, a figure that OTC notes includes a $1 million roster bonus if he’s still on the roster on the fifth day of the new league year (March 15). He also has up to $1.3 million in game-day bonuses he can earn if he is active.
It would not be surprising if general manager Jerry Reese, who at the combine declined to say if Beason would be the team’s middle linebacker this season, targeted Beason’s 2015 cap number for a reduction of some sort.
How the Giants come to that reduction remains to be seen. But if they can get it done before the start of free agency, that will give the Giants an extra million or two to work with.
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Re-Sign Linebacker Mark Herzlich
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The Giants will have three veteran linebackers—Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger and Jacquian Williams—enter unrestricted free agency this year.
While the linebacker position is perhaps long overdue for an infusion of new talent, there is certain to be some holdover from last year’s group.
The most likely candidate to be back of the trio is Herzlich, who found is niche as an outside linebacker last season. He had his best season as a pro in terms of tackles (52), sacks (1.0) and passes defensed (2).
An established special teams player, Herzlich’s football intelligence should make him a valuable contributor in Steve Spagnuolo’s new defense if he’s re-signed.
Last year as a pending restricted free agent, Herzlich was inked to a one-year deal worth $1 million before the start of free agency.
There should be little reason why the Giants can’t get him signed to another cap-friendly, one- or two-year deal before the start of free agency assuming both sides want each other.
Re-Sign Cornerback Walter Thurmond III
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The Giants had such high hopes for their defensive backfield last year.
And why not? They had signed cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond III in free agency with the intention of mixing them in with Prince Amukamara, the team's first-round pick from 2011.
Unfortunately, the Giants never got a chance to see their vision of a blanket-style defensive backfield come to fruition thanks to injuries, including the one that landed Thurmond on injured reserve after the second week of the season.
Now an unrestricted free agent after having finished his one-year, $3 million contract with the Giants, Thurmond should be made a priority for the Giants.
While it can be argued that the market demand for a cornerback coming off a torn pectoral muscle might not be as robust as it otherwise would be, Thurmond told me the day after the 2014 season ended that he would be open to returning to the Giants if a deal could be worked out.
The question is what might he be worth? According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Giants initially wanted to sign Thurmond, their nickel cornerback, to a three-year deal, but the cornerback wanted and got a “prove-it” contract.
Will Thurmond want a mulligan on a one-year, “prove it" deal? Will the Giants oblige with another deal for $3 million?
The bottom line is if Thurmond and the Giants want each other, they should be able to get a deal done sooner than later.
All contract and salary cap data via Over the Cap, unless otherwise sourced. All player grades and statistics via Pro Football Focus, unless otherwise noted.
Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced. Follow me on Twitter @Patricia_Traina.
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