Offseason Review – Free Agency

Jerry Reese and the New York Giants came into the 09 offseason with a mission: bolster the front seven. Although the defensive line is arguably the team’s best unit, the staff wanted to create competitive depth across the board. After watching Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, and Fred Robbins breakdown down late in the season, Reese set this as one of his top priorities. He accomplished that, and some…

• Rocky Bernard (Seattle Seahawks) – 4 year / 16 million

The signing of Bernard gives the Giants an excellent player to come of the bench and work into their Defensive Tackle rotation. His best trait is as a pass rusher with his ability to push back the pocket. He has put up solid sack totals for a Defensive Tackle posting 19.5 sacks over the past four years, and he had a career-best 55 tackles in 2008. Bernard looks to work in with Robbins and Cofield on passing situations to stay fresh for the duration of the game. 2009 Projections- 26 tackles / 2 sacks

Chris Canty (Dallas Cowboys) – 6 year / 42 million

Our most notable and expensive signing of the offseason. The 6’7 304lb lineman will be playing all over the the defensive front for us. The transition from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 shouldn’t be much of a problem for this athlete. He figures to get the bulk of his playing time at DT, while also getting some snaps at DE. The 26 year old Canty has the chance to become a force in the middle with his enormous height and frame. 2009 Projections – 35 tackles / 5 sacks / 4 pass deflections

• Michael Boley (Atlanta Falcons) – 5 year / 25 million

The 26 year old athletic outside backer could end up being our best signing. Boley is an outstanding athlete that excels in coverage and can also rush the passer. After the 2007 season he looked like he was becoming a pro bowl caliber linebacker (109 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 pass deflections, 2 ints), but he did not get much playing time in 2008 because he was not the right fit for Mike Smith’s system. Boley needed to be in an attacking/aggressive defense, and he’s definitely come to the right place. Look for Boley to really excel this year with the Giants. He brings speed and play making ability to the line-backing core, something we really haven’t had since the days of Jessie Armstead. Projections – 80 tackles / 5 sacks / 8 pass deflections / 2 picks

C. C. Brown (Houston Texans) – 1 year / 1.6 million

Brown adds another young athletic player to the safety position. He only played three games last year because of injury but he has shown flashes of potential in his first few seasons in Houston. Brown will battle it out in training camp with Michael Johnson and last years first round pick Kenny Phillips, for the starting Strong Safety position. Projections (as a backup) – 40 tackles / 4 pass deflections

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These acquisitions really bolster the defense and greatly reduce the teams needs heading into the draft. They are loaded across the D-line with Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, Dave Tollefson, Robert Henderson, Fred Robbins, Jay Alford, Chris Canty, and Barry Cofield. A linebacker will be added but it’s not a pressing need with Antonio Pierce in the Middle, Michael Boley at Weakside, and either Danny Clark or Brian Kehl at Strongside. Another safety will be acquired to sure up the depth behind the young trio of Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, and C.C. Brown. At corner they will most likely add one rookie to develop behind Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Kevin Dockery, and Terrell Thomas. Overall, with their recent defensive additions the Giants look to draft one or two players to compete at each of the following defensive positions (Ranked in order of need).

1. Linebacker
2. Safety
3. Cornerback