New York Giants Add Cornerback Leon Hall
The New York Giants have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran cornerback Leon Hall, as reported by Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.
Hall was a first round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007 and had spent his entire nine-year career with the team.
Hall joins a revamped Giants secondary, which includes free agent signing Janoris Jenkins (rated 5th by PFF), and 1st round pick, Eli Apple. He is expected to compete for the slot cornerback spot.
Giants’ defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo praised Hall’s versatility and, speaking with ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan, said he plans to use Hall in the slot, as he works into the defense.
DC Steve Spaguolo says Leon Hall will "probably play inside to begin with." But raved about versatility + said they'll use in multiple ways
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 4, 2016
On one hand, in today’s NFL, you can never have enough solid defensive backs. Hall may not be the superstar Bengals fans foresaw, but he is a serviceable veteran corner and a welcome addition to a team who finished dead last in the league a season ago, giving up 298.9 yards per game through the air.
On the other hand, there may be cause for concern regarding the Apple. While he’s only a first-year pro with a steep learning curve ahead of him, he was a top-10 draft pick. Such a high pick, fairly or unfairly, demands immediate production.
While Hall could push Apple to raise his game, he could just as easily test the rookie’s confidence as he adjusts to big expectations and a faster game. Some in NFL circles feel the Giants reached for Apple, and adding Hall may fan those flames.