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A look at the 21 Giants stuck in limbo
BY Ralph Vacchiano
For much of the last decade, the Giants have had a simple and logical approach to keeping their nucleus together. When a player they liked neared free agency, they made a pre-emptive move to sign him. If they wanted a guy, they’d get him before he hit the open market. Usually, even if it looked like they overpaid at the time, eventually the deal would look like a bargain.
They did it with everyone - - Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, David Diehl, Chris Snee, Eli Manning. They even did it, way back when, with Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey.
So why, with less than two months before the theoretical start to the free-agent signing period, are the Giants saddled with so many players who are unsigned?
Blame the NFL and the NFL players’ association, who have been unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. That has restricted the ability of most teams to lock up players to long-term contracts, without getting creative with a lot of big balloon payments and bonuses. The Giants could have gone that route, too, but they have made the intelligent decision not to.
After all, how could you justify a big-money, long-term extension to a player now without knowing important details, like future salary cap numbers and other CBA rules?
“We’re going to do what we can to try to keep the team intact, but some of that is going to depend on what the rules are and what the (new salary) cap is,” co-owner John Mara said. “It’s hard to make intelligent decisions right now until you know what system we’re going to be operating under and what cap room is going to be available.”
Both Mara and GM Jerry Reese confirmed this week that none of the Giants’ key free agents-to-be will get new deals before a new CBA is signed. The old one expires on March 3. The new one could be signed at any time, though most people involved in the NFL believe a lockout starting in March is a virtual certainty. Whether it lasts a week, or into July, or even into September is anybody’s guess.
But the 21 players on the Giants’ current roster who are unsigned for 2011 are stuck in limbo until then.
Below is a look at the 21 in alphabetical order, with their 2010 salaries in parenthesis, followed by my brief analysis on their situation. In some cases I may even venture a guess about what the Giants plan to do. But keep in mind there’s no way to know the true status of these players - - “restricted” or “unrestricted” - - until there’s a new CBA.
LB Chase Blackburn ($650,000) – Given the crummy state of their special teams this year, it’s hard to see them jettisoning their special teams captain (and one of their best special teams player). He won’t cost much, either. Only factor may be if someone else gives him a better chance to play at LB. That could entice him to leave.
OL Kevin Boothe ($1,176,000) – A valuable reserve whom the Giants would like to keep, but the price is higher after he performed so well this year. He’s another guy who could see a better opportunity to play elsewhere.
TE Kevin Boss ($1,350,000) – A very interesting case. He’s an improved blocker and an underutilized receiver. The Giants like him, but what if someone else – say, someone out west nearer to his Oregon home – dangles a bigger role in the offense? A lot of people believe he’s got a 70-catch season in him somewhere. But he won’t get that opportunity in New York.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw ($1,001,000) -- He had an impressive 1,235-yard season, but those seven fumbles (six lost) were killers. Plus, he has so many injuries - - feet, wrist, ankles. Running backs are big-money players. The Giants gave Brandon Jacobs a sizeable deal despite injury concerns two years ago and he never lived up to the money. Bradshaw is only 24, though, and he’s explosive. It’s a gamble they may have to take.
DB Courtney Brown ($470,000) – He spent the entire season on injured reserve, and to be honest I thought he had been waived/injured back in September. But the Giants confirm he was still on the roster (on IR) at the end of the season. He won’t be there for long, though.
LB Keith Bulluck ($855,000) – He says he won’t come back and play a limited role, which means he’s not coming back. It was worth the risk to sign him and the Giants got a serviceable performance. But he’s getting older and the Giants need to get younger and faster at linebacker.
WR Michael Clayton ($630,000) – An emergency fill-in who didn’t do much once he got here. He’ll have to continue his quest to revive his NFL career elsewhere.
DT Barry Cofield ($1,759,000) -- Cofield has a solid season, but make no mistake: He wants to be paid. He wasn’t happy that the CBA uncertainty blew his chance at the open market last offseason, or that the Giants haven’t tried to re-sign him. Also, when he was nearly traded to New Orleans on draft day, the trade fell through because the Saints’ contract offer wasn’t enough. With DTs Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard already signed to big deals, and second-rounder Linval Joseph in the wings, the Giants may not be willing to break the bank for another DT.
S Deon Grant ($855,000) – He’s another interesting case because he played very well and was an essential part of the Giants’ three-safety defense, which was basically their base D. He’s 31, so he’s probably better suited to more of a reserve role than he was asked to play. And the Giants probably will transition back to a more regular 4-3, assuming they can upgrade at linebacker. But he’s a smart player and good in the locker room. Leaders are important, too. I suspect he’ll get at least a short-term offer to stay.
WR Derek Hagan ($630,000) – They got a lot more out of him than they could have expected when they brought him back. It’s hard to overlook the fact that they cut him back in September, though. Clearly the Giants aren’t high on him. But he might have improved his stock. So if the price is right, he could come back.
WR Domenik Hixon ($1,684,000) --A dynamic return man, Hixon could be just the jolt the Giants’ terrible return game needs. The only issue is that he tore the ACL in his right knee back in June. He says his recovery has been smooth, but the only way to tell if he’s lost any explosiveness is to see it on the field. They were never able to find a viable replacement, though. They probably have to give him a chance.
S Michael Johnson ($1,350,000) – He was on his way out before he got hurt. The Giants were disappointed in his 2009 performance and now, with a healthy Kenny Phillips back, they’re overloaded at his position. The $1.3 million tender they gave him last spring was not money well spent.
DE Mathias Kiwanuka ($1,776,000) -- The herniated disc in his neck has still not healed, and Reese already said the Giants may have to offer him just a one-year deal “so that he can re-establish his value.” He was the Giants’ best defensive player early in the season, but it doesn’t help his situation that DE Osi Umenyiora had a revival season (11 ½ sacks) and that rookie DE Jason Pierre-Paul looks like a keeper.
OL Jamon Meredith ($395,000) – A solid depth player who’ll likely get a minimum offer from the Giants and an invitation to camp.
TE Bear Pascoe ($395,000) – I don’t think there’s any question the Giants want him back, though they won’t overpay even a little for a fullback/blocking tight end. Since it’s unlikely he’ll find big money somewhere else, figure he’ll be back in camp. The better question is “As what?” Maybe converting him full-time to fullback isn’t a bad idea.
WR Darius Reynaud ($470,000) – Upgrading at returner is a big offseason priority. He’s clearly not the answer.
WR Steve Smith ($555,000) -- The Giants’ only Pro Bowl receiver in the last 42 years, Smith is Eli Manning’s best and most reliable receiver. He’s also his favorite target. However, he needed microfracture surgery to repair the torn articular cartilage in his left knee and he likely won’t running until mid-June. He caught 48 passes for 529 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last year. But will he ever be near a Pro Bowl level again? He’s another one that may have to settle for a one-year deal for now.
QB Jim Sorgi ($630,000) – A good guy who would’ve been a valuable backup. But he’s got shoulder issues, coming off shoulder surgery, and the Giants have Sage Rosenfels under contract for next season. So there’s no compelling reason to bring the former Daily News guest blogger back. He is, however, welcome to continue guest blogging. I don’t think I can pay him $630,000 though.
DE Dave Tollefson ($1,684,000) – He’s a tough, high-energy player who is good on special teams and the Giants like him. But the price is high considering he’s the fifth defensive end on the depth chart. I’ve got to think that he believes he’ll have a better opportunity to play somewhere else.
RB DJ Ware ($545,000) – He didn’t show enough as a kick returner and didn’t get much of an opportunity as a third-down back. He could come back for the minimum and provide depth. But he’s luxury, not a necessity.
LB Gerris Wilkinson ($1,176,000) – He’s a solid special teams player, but he’s not going to play linebacker here. He’d have to accept that and a minimum offer. Otherwise he’ll try his luck elsewhere.
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