Tempering Giants Expectations at the Start of Free Agency
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With the rumor that Karlos Dansby is already on a flight headed to Miami, Giants fans need to grasp the reality that Jerry Reese will not be handing over sacks of cash to what amounts to a weak free agent class. Who realistically might end up in blue?
For starters, these are the guys that make the most sense to me:
1. Kirk Morrison ILB: Not a free agent, but he might as well be considering he might be available for a 3rd round pick or less. If Jerry Reese brings him in to the mix at linebacker, big blue gets a guy coming into the prime of his career who can make plays against the pass and is versatile. I won’t devote any more time to explaining why he should be on the radar (I also won’t devote any more time to explaining global warming either).
2. Antrel Rolle: Now this is a guy coming off of pro bowl year, the former 8th pick in the 2005 draft is a converted corner-back whose strength is his pass coverage skills (convenient, considering you or I could have done a better job of making a play on the ball last year than C.C. Brown or Aaron Rouse). Problem: The Rosenhaus as in Drew Rosenhaus. Rolle wants to break the bank and if a bidding war ensues, which is likely, I am not sure Jerry Reese opens the vault for Rolle. UPDATE: Rolle is scheduled to visit with the G-men this morning (very possible Rolle does not leave Giant headquarters; if we learned anything last year about free agency and Jerry Reese, he usually gets his man, see Chris Canty 2009).
3. Aaron Kampman DE: Coming off of major knee surgery (why does that sound Osi so familiar?), Kampman is true 4-3 defensive end who totaled 37 sacks in the past three seasons. Questions about his health will limit his guaranteed money, and he would give the G-men a nice back-up plan if Osi goes AWOL. If Osi stays (as predicted), the Giants will have added another pass rusher and bolstered depth. UPDATE: Rumor has it that Kampman is being courted by Seattle and that a deal may very well get done today.
Assuming the Giants are able to secure Rolle and/or Morrison, Jerry Reese will have mucho flexibility with the 15th pick in the draft and names like C.J. Spiller (dynamic talent who immediately upgrades Special Teams and gives the Giants a true home-run threat out of the backfield) and DT Brian Price (a disruptive talent to add to the mix at defensive tackle) become much more realistic. Stay tuned Blue, we will be updating all day!