New York Giants: Pernell McPhee Is Perfect Plan B

Pernell McPhee is a free agent that the New York Giants need to consider to help with their defensive line. The Giants way has always been to rush the passer, McPhee would obviously fit in splendidly in New York. The Giants are obviously infatuated with free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh; if they can’t get him McPhee is the perfect plan B.

The Baltimore Ravens have so much talent along the defensive line, that McPhee is viewed as a luxury. In a defensive front that has the likes of Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams and the flashy Timmy Jernigan, McPhee is just another player. The Ravens almost concede that they will lose McPhee just like they lost Arthur Jones in 2014 to the Indianapolis Colts $33 million contract.

Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee (90) reacts after making a sack in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Under the radar and out of the spotlight, McPhee has been a very productive football player. In 4 seasons with the Ravens, McPhee had 17 sacks and forced 3 fumbles. He is coming off his best season, having 7.5 sacks. He may not be the main attraction in Baltimore, but he’d be a star with the Giants.

In the Ravens 3-4 defense McPhee did a bit of everything. The Ravens would line him up as an outside linebacker, a defensive end in a 5 technique, even as an interior defensive lineman.

In the game against the Falcons in 2014, McPhee showed why he is such a special talent. He had two sacks in the game. On one play he started in a 2 technique (over the right guard). C.J. Mosley, a linebacker blitzed in the A gap, occupying the center and the left guard. McPhee swooped around the double teamed Mosley, with a clear shot at Matt Ryan, the Falcons quarterback. McPhee came in guns ablaze and jarred the football loose, it was recovered by the Ravens.