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Giants’ Aldon Smith Interest Goes Beyond Jason Pierre-Paul

By Erik Lambert

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Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The moment word arrived that the New York Giants were considered among the teams most interested in recently cut San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith, the reasoning was plain as day.

They have no reason to believe that Jason Pierre-Paul will be the player they expected him to be this season after franchise tagging him in the off-season.  Not the guy who posted 12.5 sacks last season.  Why?  Every good pass rusher needs full use of his hands and Pierre-Paul badly crippled one of his own in 4th of July fireworks accident that resulted in one of his fingers being amputated.

He may downplay the idea that this will impact his performance on the field once he returns, but how can it not?  Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott himself said playing with that kind of deformity is very painful, and it would be far different for a defensive end since they use their hands far more often than a safety does in shedding blocks and regular hand fighting.

New York can’t bank on him being the same player, hence the interest in Smith.

However, the truth is this goes beyond just the Pierre-Paul injury.  This sounds like a move by a team that knows its Super Bowl window is shrinking.  Don’t forget that quarterback Eli Manning is 34-years old and head coach Tom Coughlin is 68.  Neither of them are in their primes anymore and they can’t be expected to stick around much longer.

This increases the urgency to fortify the roster to as strong as they possibly can get it sooner than later.  Taking a chance on a troubled 25-year old pass rusher with 44 career sacks qualifies.  After all, their divisional rival Dallas Cowboys just did the same thing by signing former Panthers Pro Bowler Greg Hardy who was arrested on assault charges.

If he can somehow be kept under control, Smith would be a huge insurance policy for that Giants defense.

Even better, think about the absolute most optimistic view.  What if Pierre-Paul regains his expected form and Smith stays out of trouble?  Suddenly a New York Giants team that looked like it didn’t have any pass rushers suddenly has two of the best in the game, both entering their primes no less.

Next: Mike Glennon Could Save The Buffalo Bills Offense

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