Before we get started with Free Agency (next paragraph), let’s get one thing clear- the Giants in 2015 have a much more reasonable chance of being competitive than they did in 2014. We have a lot more optimism, if not for one reason: Odell Beckham. Yes, he changes the entire equation. The Giants have a Superstar at a rookie contract cap load. So that is a huge strategic advantage until his cap load sucks up so much resources that it is much harder to put the remaining elements around him. Win now.
Now that you have my optimism in paragraph 1, here in paragraph 2 we will tell you that the Giants overpaid for some Special Teams players (Casillas and Harris). I guess the thinking is that Harris will help at WR and Casillas will be a LBer for Spagnuolo’s defense. They certainly did not pay them just for Special Teams. Yet these guys do not have a lot of snaps as regulars. Hopefully they can contribute meaningfully. I just do not understand how they get 10.5M for 3 years and 17.5M for 5 years (respectively). Harris got ~10 snaps per game. Casillas got ~25 snaps per game playing for TB and NE. I am sure they will plug some holes. IF Harris takes away OBJ’s punt return duties, great. Still.. too much $… 7.1MM is guaranteed.
Shane Vereen at 3 yrs $12.35M looks modest compared to Harris and Casillas. At least Vereen is a known quantity with some production you are paying for. He will help McAdoo’s offense because he can catch the ball out of the backfield.
The Giants signed RT Marshall Newhouse. 2 years. $3M. 1M guaranteed. Backup fodder. A body.
Linebacker JT Thomas from Jacksonville, 3 yrs, $12M, $4.5M guaranteed. PFF numbers said he was consistently poor at run defense, and Wonder confirmed “el sucko.”
I am struck at how the Giants could get Geoff Schwartz at Guard for 4 yrs 16M last year, a reliable solid FA pickup, and here in 2015 the Giants are in the same money zip code and getting underwhelming players. Of course, Schwartz was hurt in his 1st year with the team, so that makes his salary “infinitely” worse until he contributes. But still, of these 5 players they have/are about to sign, only Vareen has demonstrated some worth/value for the investment.
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