Spring Break
The Pro Side: Giants free agent signings underrated
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Sports
The first week of NFL free agency is always the most active, and with a majority of the high-profile players signed, it's time to look at which team has improved itself most early on.
Even though they didn't land free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who went to the division-rival Redskins, the Giants have had the best and most underrated signing period.
Before the signing period got underway, New York re-signed franchised running back Brandon Jacobs and David Carr, who is a very talented, reliable backup if anything happens to Eli Manning. Locking up Jacobs ensures that the rugged identity of the Giants' running game remains intact and allows the team to focus in on solidifying an already tough defense via free agency.
Since the free agent period opened, the Giants have signed Falcons linebacker Michael Boley, Cowboys versatile defensive lineman Chris Canty and Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. None of these players are marquee names, but all will have an important role in the Giants defense next season. They may have all left potential starting roles behind to play specialized roles to be with the Giants.
Boley will likely win the weakside linebacker position in New York. The Giants linebacking corps lacks speed and coverage ability and Boley brings plenty of both. He should also provide a pass rush from the position that the Giants lacked last season.
Canty is ideal to be a 3-4 defensive end, the position he played in Dallas, but the Giants envision moving him inside to defensive tackle in their 4-3 defense and letting him get after the quarterback. Canty can then shift outside on goal line and run-stuffing downs and allow for a big alignment up front.
Bernard is another underrated addition who has been one of the best interior pass-rushers in the NFL during his career. He is capable of collapsing the pocket. Although he isn't particularly great against the run, with Canty, Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield already in the fold, the Giants have fourinside players who are all legitimate NFL starters.
Even though they didn't land free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who went to the division-rival Redskins, the Giants have had the best and most underrated signing period.
Before the signing period got underway, New York re-signed franchised running back Brandon Jacobs and David Carr, who is a very talented, reliable backup if anything happens to Eli Manning. Locking up Jacobs ensures that the rugged identity of the Giants' running game remains intact and allows the team to focus in on solidifying an already tough defense via free agency.
Since the free agent period opened, the Giants have signed Falcons linebacker Michael Boley, Cowboys versatile defensive lineman Chris Canty and Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. None of these players are marquee names, but all will have an important role in the Giants defense next season. They may have all left potential starting roles behind to play specialized roles to be with the Giants.
Boley will likely win the weakside linebacker position in New York. The Giants linebacking corps lacks speed and coverage ability and Boley brings plenty of both. He should also provide a pass rush from the position that the Giants lacked last season.
Canty is ideal to be a 3-4 defensive end, the position he played in Dallas, but the Giants envision moving him inside to defensive tackle in their 4-3 defense and letting him get after the quarterback. Canty can then shift outside on goal line and run-stuffing downs and allow for a big alignment up front.
Bernard is another underrated addition who has been one of the best interior pass-rushers in the NFL during his career. He is capable of collapsing the pocket. Although he isn't particularly great against the run, with Canty, Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield already in the fold, the Giants have fourinside players who are all legitimate NFL starters.
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