NFL Salary Cap Casualties: 6 Linebackers Who Might Be New York Giants
By Neal Lynch
DeMeco Ryans, ILB (Philadelphia Eagles)
Age: Will be 32
2016 Cap Hit: $4,500,000
Likeliness Grade for Trade / Cut: B
Currently holds $1M in dead cap, but salary + a $1M roster bonus likely guarantee early in 2016.
The 2-time Pro Bowler has started 7 full seasons in his 10-year career. Ryans had a career year in 2013, but his production has severely dropped off since. He’s another 3-4 ‘backer who might flourish as the Mike in a 4-3. When the Eagles had a 4-3 defense in 2012, Ryans totaled more than 100 combined tackles. In January, new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz confirmed Philadelphia would be going back to the 4-3 look and Today’s Pigskin reported the Eagles are planning to part ways with DeMeco.
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CONCLUSION:
The common thread through these articles has been clear: these players are potential NFL salary cap casualties because they’re not worth their contracts anymore. Their production is typically declining while their age is climbing. Some teams with consecutive losing seasons simply just don’t have the salary cap space to keep on a consistent player who isn’t helping the squad win right now. The Giants are in a place where they could’ve won multiple games had there been a middle linebacker with experience and/or pass-covering abilities. Though, the players in this article have experience, the big knock on them is the failure to keep up in pass coverage. Still, I think guys like Timmons, Tulloch, and Riley have a couple good seasons left in them. The Giants are not looking for a Pro Bowler or Super Bowl MVP, but rather stability and composure during crunch time.