Peter M. checks in.
The first thing to remember though is that the team should be a lot healthier this year. For example if guys like Ross, Canty, Tuck, Alford, Umenyiora, Phillips, Hedgecock, Jacobs, Bradshaw and Brown are 100% healthy and have a full offseason, we already have a substantial upgrade over the team that ended last year.
Naturally this is all purely speculation and the Giants are still evaluating everything, but here are some thoughts on free agency. Firstly, I expect Reese will continue his policy of filling needs in free agency and building the team through the draft.
The Giants are unlikely to rely on rookies to start as we upgrade positions, I think we will continue the habit of developing rookies behind veteran starters. This means we will need to bring in veterans to fill needs if the current guys are not viewed as the answer (we do have some decent young talent).
The most obvious needs at the moment seem to be at LB (where we will be likely replacing two starters) and Safety, we have good veteran talent at all other positions. However, without a new CBA in place, the options to upgrade positions in free agency is very limited; in fact the only Free Agent whom I think is a significant upgrade is Karlos Dansby, and he would not be cheap and be in demand.
We could sign RFAs but they will likely require premium draft pick compensation, which I think is rather unlikely.
There does seem to be a couple of intriguing trade options, S Kerry Rhodes and LB Derrick Johnson both seem to be out of favor with their current teams and either could likely be available for reasonable value trade-wise.
One position that is reasonably uncertain and that is whether Jeff Feagles returns or finally decides to hang up the books. We probably won't know for a little while either way. It will be interesting to see how things unfold over the next month or so.
Jerry Reese and Marc Ross certainly have plenty of potential option available. The lack of a new CBA means we are headed into uncharted territory so we don't know what to expect. However I have complete confidence that the Team of Reese, Ross and Coughlin will to the best practical moves possible to improve the team. Regardless of how things turn out, we should have a pretty good idea of how things are shaping up in the next 4 to 6 weeks - well before the draft. – Peter M.
Good letter Peter. Really nothing new as what you outlined is how the Giants have always operated, but other than your suggestion about making a tade, I thin you’re spot on.
