New York Giants Options For 2013 NFL Trade Deadline
By Erik Lambert
Nov 11, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
From Big D to the Big Apple. The New York Giants have looked anything but consistent over the past five years. They never lack talent but finding motivation is a big problem they face every season. A few of their players will need to find it if they want to stick on the roster. Otherwise there is the ever-present threat of a trade.
Justin Tuck
There is no secret to how the New York Giants do business on defense. They love to stack up pass rushers. Justin Tuck learned that when he worked his way up the depth chart to eventually replace Michael Strahan. Now a similar fate could await him. After two Pro Bowl seasons in three years the 30-year old defensive end is up against a wall. His team has conducted their usual business by adding more young lineman like Johnathan Hankins and Damontre Moore. Since Tuck hasn’t come close to double digit sacks since 2010 it’s fair to say the clock is ticking. Tom Coughlin and the coaches don’t have a use for players who don’t produce. Tuck is a valued teammate and leader but that isn’t enough. If he can’t cut it in New York they will either cut him or attempt to trade him to a team in need of pass rush help.
Terrell Thomas
The story of cornerback Terrell Thomas is a tragic one. After battling his way up the depth chart back in 2009, he cemented his place as one of the best corners on the roster. He went on to post five interceptions in back-to-back seasons without missing a game. Then his luck ran out. Thomas tore his ACL against Chicago in the 2011 preseason, robbing him of the entire Super Bowl run. Then the next year he injured the same knee again. Despite a hard fight to return, he again went the season without registering a single minute. Finally the Giants have reached a point where they aren’t sure they can hang onto him anymore. His talent and skill was so promising but nobody knows how he will respond after two bad injuries to a single body part. Trade worth is nonexistent. However, if Thomas shows flashes of coming around they might have a window to deal him to another team in need of secondary help.
Victor Cruz
Until the talk of an extension turns into reality, the threat of Victor Cruz departing is real. The star slot receiver has shown no qualms about leaving if the Giants force him to. That kind of flight risk can make a team nervous, especially if contract talks ultimately get shelved. Still,New York isn’t ruined if they lose him. The team has done their due diligence in keeping the receiver depth strong with names like Reuben Randle and Louis Murphy If Cruz forces their hand they could very well choose to send him elsewhere. There was definitely interest in him from other teams during free agency. One of them may part with a high draft choice or two if they think getting a Pro Bowl receiver is possible. It doesn’t sound like something the New York Giants would do willingly, but anything is possible.