New York Giants: Late To The Party Of “Legal Tampering”

An absurd concept, the NFL’s “legal tampering” period generated some bizarre moments on social media over the weekend.

On its own Facebook and Twitter pages, the NFL has been thoroughly reporting “rumors” of free agent signings and trades that, under its own rules, were not permitted to have taken place yet. Comically, the NFL even reported on a 2-tierred “double” in-permissibility; a new contract for a traded player (LeSean McCoy) who has not actually been traded yet.

How can a team re-negotiate a contract with a player that is not yet a member of that team?

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Bizarre.

Then, early on Monday morning, Lindsay Rhodes of the NFL network tweeted, “So, are we doing ALL free agency periods on Tom Coughlin Time from now on?” The humorous tweet –a reference to Tom Coughlin’s rule that players must arrive at meetings at least five minutes before they begin— is ironic, as the Giants appear to have arrived late to the negotiating table on some of their most coveted free agent targets.

Ndamukong Suh (headed to Miami) and Devin McCourty (returning to New England), were viewed as longshots. But Jerry Hughes (DE/OLB), now rumored to be heading back to Buffalo, was a realistic target that would have been a perfect fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.

There are still some available options that make good sense for the Giants. Bryan Bulaga (T) remains unsigned and would slot nicely into the offensive line, perhaps even allowing the Giants to spend a first round draft pick on another position of need. Rahim Moore (S) and Brandon Graham (DE) are also solid options who would fill needs in the secondary and defensive line, respectively.

The Giants Professor says: The Giants can still salvage this off-season by acquiring players like Bulaga, Moore, and Graham. But there is a bigger move to be made. One that gets more interesting by the minute. And one that is fast becoming a no-brainer. Reports indicate a flat market for DeMarco Murray and the Giants have a glaring need at running back. If he can be had below market value, the Giants would do well to swoop in and land Murray; filling a need with a superstar, all while stealing him away from the divisional rival Cowboys.

The Giants need to move quickly and aggressively on these players, before they are left with only bargain-basement options. Strange as it seems, time has begun running out before the clock has even been wound on the 2015 free agency class. And Tom Coughlin’s organization already appears to be late to the party.

Next: New York Giants: Grading The Offense Before Free Agency

New York Giants: Late To The Party Of “Legal Tampering”

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