The Giants went 6-10 in back-to-back seasons and still decided it was best to keep a majority of their coaching staff intact. It’s hard to make the same argument for their players, though. And with 19 of them about to become unrestricted free agents, they’re better off letting most of them go.
After all, something has to change, right? So far the Giants kept their general manager, promoted their offensive coordinator to head coach and kept more than half of their old coach’s staff. That leaves the players, which really has been the crux of the Giants’ problem for years.
They know that, of course. That’s why, so far, the only one they rushed to re-sign was long-snapper Zak DeOssie. Most of the others, according to sources, have gotten a little more than a cursory call to their agents and a wish of good luck on the market. As Ben McAdoo tries to “reload” the Giants, he will try to rebuild the roster with as many new players as he can.
GIANTS FREE AGENCY ANSWERS: PLAYERS BIG BLUE WILL GO AFTER
There are exceptions, of course, and there are several players the Giants have tried to re-sign. Here’s a look at some of the impending free agents who still have value to the Giants, though only if the price is right:
– DE Jason Pierre-Paul — John Mara has made it clear that he wants JPP back “at the right price” and the Giants have already had discussions with his agent. Here’s the problem, though: The right price is hard to figure. He made about $5 million last season and only had one sack. But his return from his July 4 fireworks accident was still remarkable, and as Ben McAdoo said he was “disruptive as a pass rusher.”
So what’s the right price? That’s the question. JPP’s agents seem to think there’s a deal for him out there worth $10 million per year and they might be right since he’s still one of the best pass rushers on a slim market. Would it be smart for the Giants to commit big money to him over the long term when they still don’t know if he’ll ever be the old JPP with only one good hand? Probably not.
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The market will dictate this one, but most people expect JPP will find bigger money someplace else.
– DE Robert Ayers — His 91/2 sacks last season might be a bit of a mirage, since he had never previously topped 51/2 (and since 81/2 of them came after JPP’s return). Still, the Giants think he could be a good No. 2 pass rusher and have discussed a new contract with him. Pass rushers are at a premium, though, and even though he’ll be 31 in September he could get $6-7 million per season. If his price goes that high the Giants likely will try to use that money on someone younger.
– CB Prince Amukamara — He made about $6.9 million last season and certainly will be looking for more than that over several years. His injury history might keep his price reasonable and that’s what the Giants are hoping. They like him, but it’s hard for them to justify spending big money on any players who are always hurt given the injury problems their team has had in recent years. They’ve already told him to test the market, so it’s hard to see him coming back.
– LB Jasper Brinkley — Considering he was an in-season scrap-heap pick up, he performed well enough in place of the injured Jon Beason to catch the Giants’ eye. Certainly they can do better at starter, but he could be a valuable backup. They’ve told him he’s free to test the market, but they remain interested if he’s willing to return as a reserve and at a low price, which is possible.
– K Josh Brown — There was a time when the Giants viewed kickers as pretty interchangeable, and there is concern that Brown will soon be 37 years old. They surely will bring a younger, stronger kicker into camp to push him if he’s back. But why wouldn’t they bring him back? In three years with the Giants he’s converted on more than 90% of his kicks. He’s got the steely nerves of a veteran and his kickoffs have been fine. Why mess with success? He’ figures to be back and the price likely won’t be too high. Considering he made just $1 million last season he’s a luxury they can afford.
– The rest — The Giants’ other soon-to-be UFAs are LS Danny Aiken, DT Barry Cofield, S Craig Dahl, TE Daniel Fells, DT Cullen Jenkins, CB Jayron Hosley, DT Markus Kuhn, CB Trumaine McBride, S Brandon Meriweather, OL Brandon Mosley, WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Rueben Randle, OL Dallas Reynolds, and DE George Selvie. Most of them will have to take their remaining shots elsewhere, unless they’re willing to return for a reduced role and a very minimal deal.