Early in Free Agency, New York (Giants and Jets) are Making All of the Headlines
The Media, ESPN and alike, are always considered to have a media bias. And whether or not that is true (it definitely seems that way at times), no one can deny that the Giants and Jets have been grabbing all of the headlines early in the process.
The Giants are tight lipped organization that no one heard anything (essentially) from the lockout, but breaking news has been abound with the New York Giants in the minutes since free agency opened.
The Giants made a trio of big cuts, which promises to drastically alter the look for their 2011 offensive line. The Giants entered free agency a little over 6 million over the cap, but parted ways with C, Shaun O’hara, G Rich Suebert, and OL Shawn Andrews.
Shawn Andrews was no surprise as he was expected a huge pay raise this year.
Rich Suebert’s release is a bit of a surprise, but it’s clear that the Giants felt he would not be the same after suffering a nasty injury that ended his season last year.
O’hara’s release was perhaps the biggest surprise as the Giants fans don’t feel there is a capable starting center on the roster at the moment. O’hara might be a player the Giants consider bringing back at a lower cap number. It’s also possible that the Giants don’t believe he will be the same either after his injury.
The other information that has come out of Giants camp is that DE Osi Umeinyora is likely to hold out of training camp and there is speculation abound that the Giants will try to trade him, and his 11 sacks (and 10 Forced Fumbles). People will debate about his ability as a two way defensive end, but no one can deny his ability has a pass rusher and forced fumble master. The always unhappy Umeniyora essentially said in legal documents (during the lockout) that the Giants orgnaization lied to him about increasing his contract. The question is whether or not the Giants A) think Umeinyora is worth a large pay increase, and B) whether or not they can afford it, as I just mentioned they were one of the teams that started free agency over the cap. The team now has serious questions along their offensive line. (Kevin Boothe, a reserve OL, is also a free agent).
The Giants continued to make news with reports surfacing yesterday that Plaxico Burress and Tom Coughlin would meet together and the Giants might be interested in bringing him back into the fold (I don’t buy that…as it was reported that the Giants and Steve Smith will likely agree to a one year deal…giving the Giants Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, 3rd round draft pick Jerrel Jernigan and a number of other viable reserve WR candidates). Today, though, Pro Football Talk relays a report that the Giants and Burress will not be allowed to meet today per league rules.
Continuing with New York Giants news, the Giants lost their biggest free agent when Barry Coefield signed with the rival Redskins. Coefield’s loss could be felt by the Giants, but they have two promising young defensive tackles in Linval Joseph and Marvin Austin to try and fill the void Coefield could leave.
The question Giants fans are beginning to wonder is…where have all the defensive linemen gone? Have they lost all their depth. Mathias Kiwanuka and Dave Tollefson could also leave due to free agency.
Lastly, the Giants made probably the biggest news undrafted free agent signing when the team agreed to terms with former Boston College LB, Mark Herzlich. Herzlich, considering a first round pick before he was diagnosed with cancer, finds himself in a good situation. The Giants are a team that is searching desperately for impact linebackers, and also have a coach that prefer smart players over physically gifted players so Herzlich has a realistic chance of sticking on the Giants roster.
In less important news Rex Ryan also has been heard saying, already, that this is the Jets year….again.
The Jets have a few high profile free agents. Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards that could depart via free agency, though everyone expects the Jets to retain Holmes.
Edwards could be a cap casualty…especially if the Jets are able to swing a dea for Asmougha.
The Jets also seem likely to lose Antonio Cromartie and return specialist and wild cat QB Brad Smith. One of the teams reportedly interested in Smith is the New York Giants
All in all a very busy day for New York and while there is a lot going on for other teams as well as chronicled by Sayre earlier,this much is certain the Giants will have a drastic new in their trenches this next year, and the Jets could end the off season with the scariest cornerback combo the league has seen in a very long time, perhaps ever.