That TE Signing.

Giants Pickup Brandon Myers 

I know this happened a while ago but whatever. 

Giants picked up free agent TE Brandon Myers formally of the Oakland Raiders. The guy is 6-foot-4, 250, obviously a nice big target for Eli to throw to. Racked up 79 for 806 and 4 with Oakland last year, with most of those being on short to intermediate routes. His long was 29 yards, showing he is not a vertical threat. A good short yard, or red-zone target, an area that the Giants were miserable in last year.

Another thing, he is a terrible blocker, and this is what confused me about the pickup. Giants primarily have used their TEs as block first. We saw some change in Bennett but even he is a block first TE. With the huge knock on David Wilson being his pass pro ability (and of course the fumbles), having Myers and Wilson on the field in any passing down does not make much sense.

There were a few time last season where Oakland had Myers either line up off the line or come in motion and fire off the ball from the slot. If the Giants want to have him off the line, that is where Pascoe or Adrien Robinson can come in to block a little.

I am most frustrated with this pickup because of Adrien Robinson. He did not come into any game, at any time last year, after Reese praised him for being the JPP of tight ends. With the acquisition of Myers, ARob is in the same spot as he was last year. I want to see what he can do on the field. Get him more reps in preseason so he can prove what he is worth.

Oh, and the Giants resigned Kevin Boothe to a 1 year deal. Looks like the whole offensive line is coming back for next year. The Giants have to start building this line through the draft. The right side is no younger than 31 years of age, and oft-injured. We saw them hurt the Giants last year, and I can guarantee they will this season.

Bringing In WR Depth

Giants Sign Louis Murphy

6'2" 200 lbs. 4.32 40. Those are the numbers on Louis Murphy. This 5 year pro was drafted in the 4th round by the Raiders in 2009. He was constantly overshadowed in college by Harvin and Tebow. His NFL career really started off well, even with his QBs in Oakland being JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski, and Jason Campbell. 2011 however, he had a groin injury which seemed to have bothered him. Spent last year with Carolina where caught 25 for 336 and 1. His best year came in 2010 when he brought in 41 passes for 609 and 2 in 14 games. Pair him with Eli, who knows what can happen. He can definitely stretch the field. Great arm length to reach out for passes, maybe those that Nicks couldn't reach last season...

With Hixon and Barden practically out the door, Murphy adds depth behind Cruz, Nicks, and Randle. He will battle with Jernigan for that 4th WR spot. His speed, size, and length are perfect for the slot. 

I love speed, so I love this signing. Speed is so important in the passing game, getting separation from the cornerback. He finally has an elite QB in Eli, and maybe his numbers will improve with that. You saw Eli over through a banged up Nicks on deep balls, I trust that Murphy could get those, just keep him healthy. 

While writing, the Giants announced their signing of Dan Connor, linebacker from the Cowboys. Going into his 5th year, he is being brought in to compete for the MLB job. With Boley released and Blackburn hopefully not coming back from free agency, the Giants only have Herzlich to really compete for the starting job. 

Kenny To Philly

Kenny Phillips Off to Philly

The recently oft-injured Kenny Phillips has decided to join the Giants' heated rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. His contract is going to be something like LaRon Landry signed with the Jets last season, a "prove it" contract, to see if the player can remain healthy throughout the year. It seemed like there was little interest to have Kenny on the Giants from both parties. Last season Perry Fewell wasn't even sure how to get him on the field when he came back from injury, and Kenny sidestepped questions about wanting to return after his contract was up. 

Although he has been injured recently, he brings a the Giants defense to another level. His intensity and ability not only helps the secondary, but brings the whole defense together. When Phillips played (09-12)  they were 28-13, when he didn't they were 12-15. Coincidence? I think not. However, I believe we have the safety depth we need to replace him. Is Stevie Brown just as good as a pure safety? No, but we also have my boy Will Hill, just signed Aaron Ross back who has experience at the position, also Terrell Thomas who may be switched to safety to protect his knee. 

Another safety depth booster will come in the form of Ryan Mundy. Remember last year when Stevie Brown was signed? I don't either, I had no idea who he was or why he was on the team. 8 INTs later, Reese seems to have found another gem. Will it be the same with the 28 year old Mundy? He's played in all 16 games in the past 4 seasons for the Steelers. Rarely started, but made 39 tackles last season. Start him on special teams like Brown, and see what happens.

Keith Rivers was resigned for another year. So injury prone, its upsetting. Guy has freakish ability, just has never been able to stay on the field. If he can stay healthy, he can be a starter on this team, especially at strong side or middle.

Yesterday the Giants signed kicked Josh Brown. Gives us more power and range from the kicker position. Tynes is all but gone, thanks for the HUGE NFC Championship kicks.

Bye Bye Bennett

Free Agency Day 1

 

Well day one of free agency is pretty much wrapped up at this point, and to be honest, I am pissed. If you have read this blog before, you know how much I like Martellus Bennett. From day one, I knew he was going to make an impact. He is a freak athlete that just needed the opportunity to get on the field. 55 for 626 and 5 was more than enough from a "block first" TE. Now Bennett is on the Bears, agreeing to a 4 year deal. The issue with the 3 tenders, the Giants only have $1.5 mil in cap room. The Giants gave Bennett a "prove it" contract last year, he proved it, he's gone.

 

 Mike Pope the TE coach has his hands full. See the Giants drafted Adrien Robinson in the 4th round last year, and Jerry Reese stated that he is the JPP of tight ends, he just needed to learn the offense. Or will the Giants draft another TE? I've seen a few mocks that have them drafting Zach Ertz out of Stanford. Don't hold your breath on that, unless Reese sees that he is the next Jimmy Graham.

 

Other notes:

Dannell Ellerbe went to the Dolphins after winning the Superbowl with the Ravens last year. He would have been a real nice fit with the Giants in the middle of that defense. Young, and proved he could play after becoming the starter last year for BMore.

 

Skins released Deangelo Hall. The guy is a Giants killer and they have shown interest in picking him up. This point in his career however, they will have to put him on the inside, which would be a huge upgrade for the secondary.

 

Ryan Torain was resigned, just adds depth to the runningback corps.

UPDATE:

Deal for Martellus Bennett -- four-year, $20 million.

Aaron Ross is back after being with Jacksonville last year.  30 yeras old. Started 9 of the 14 games he played in with the Jags, will be in his own reality show with his wife the olympic star. If there is no DHall/draftpick/pickup, its Ross vs Hosley for the slot corner.

 

Tenders All Around

Cruz, ABrown, SBrown Get Tendered

John Mara announced today that the Giants have placed tenders on Victor Cruz, Andre Brown, and Stevie Brown. Cruz has a 1st round tender with both the Browns receiving a 2nd.

Mara stated that Cruz would become a very wealthy young man if he accpeted the Giants offer, but Cruz and his agent have said that they want to test the free agent market. Do not be surprised to see someone sign him to an offer sheet. If you have not heard, Percy Harvin was traded to the Seahawks today for a 1st round pick and then some. I could see the Vikings giving the Giants that 1st round pick to pick up Cruz as a semi replacement for Harvin. Also, don't sleep on the 49ers who have a ridiculous amount of picks at their disposal.

Stevie and Andre  Brown should be safe with the Giants. Both players came out of no where this past year and contributed greatly on defense and offense respectively. I doubt there is a team in the league that would risk a 2nd round pick on players that are not fully proven in the NFL.

I see all 3 coming back. Cruz is a product of Eli. Not the other way around, and hopefully he understands that.

Three tenders take up $6.9 million in salary cap space ($2.879m to Cruz, $2.02m offered to Browns), $1.5 million left for now.

UPDATE: Anquan Boldin just got traded to the 49ers for a 6th round pick. Thats two WRs going to the NFC West, do the Rams travel down that road and pick up Cruz? Speculation shows Rams have interest.

Jenkins to the Giants

Giants Grab Cullen Jenkins

 

First notable signing for the Giants this offseason. With the release of Canty, it is a much needed acquisition.  Played for the rival Eagles for the past 2 years. Started all 16 each year. Seems to have had his best year with the Packers in their 3-4 defense as a DE in 2010 with 7 sacks in 11 games. Will give the Giants a nice boost in run defense, one of the biggest problems for Big Blue last year.

 

The numbers on the contract: 3 yr/$8m deal with $2m upfront and $3 guaranteed.

 

Happy to see the Giants are bringing outsiders in. That defensive line defintely needed a boost, and Jenkins can provide that.

 

Before the deal the Giants were $10.5 mil below the cap. Should still have room to get more accomplished this off season.