RoanokeFan
03-13-2012, 06:43 AM
WILL THE GIANTS LOOK TO FREE AGENCY TO ADDRESS THE RUNNING GAME? (http://www.giants101.com/2012/03/13/will-new-york-giants-look-to-free-agency-to-address-the-running-game/)
"The biggest news surrounding the New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants this off-season to this point has been
the cutting of running back Brandon Jacobs after seven seasons and two Super
Bowl wins with the team. The two sides were unable to reach a restructuring
agreement on his contract, and regretfully said goodbye – opening up a spot in
the Giants backfield going into next season.
Behind Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware is a solid backup running back who does
several things well but nothing great, and seventh round pick Da'RelScott out
of Maryland rarely saw the field last season but has the speed to really be a
big play threat if he can develop the patience to be a successful runner at the
NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) level. GM
Jerry Reese said he hoped Scott could become a "Willie Parker-type" runner for
Big Blue after drafting him last year.</p>
Now looking at the facts, one thing is clear – the Giants were not nearly the
running team they wanted to be last season. They had the worst yards per carry
average in the entire NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) during the regular season at 3.5 yards, putting them
at the bottom of the seven teams that did not reach 4 yards a carry during the
2011 season. That average did rise to 4.2 yards per during the postseason, but
the Giants know that with Jacobs no longer part of the team and an inconsistent
and injury-riddled offensive line that will likely be saying goodbye to right
tackle Kareem McKenzie, the team has some work to do offensively this
off-season.</p>
Jerry Reese is the type of General Manager that really leaves no stone
unturned – which is why the Giants have been so successful under his tenure. The
team builds through the draft, but with free agency on the immediate horizon,
today we look at some of the FA period possibilities for this Giants football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
team to address the running game. Which players could potentially be a fit with
this Giants offense?</p>
RUNNING BACK</p>
<a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Mike Tolbert" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/mike-tolbert/" rel="tag nofollow">Mike
Tolbert</a> – 26 Years Old, SD Chargers </p>
This is a guy who can bring a couple of dimensions to this Giants offense
that they could certainly use coming out of the backfield. A utility back in
every sense of the word, Tolbert is a powerful between the tackles runner that
can fit right into the Giants physical approach to the running game. Most
appealing is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield – something this
Giants offense has not consistently had from it's running backs in quite some
time. Tolbert has also gone on record saying that the Giants are on his list of
teams that could be a "good fit" for him. The big question here will be the
price.</p>
Michael Bush - 27 Years Old, OAK Raiders</p>
Another powerful runner with the ability to really wear defenses down with
his physical style of running. Bush had some huge games for Oakland in November
last year, and also flashed some ability as a pass catcher with Darren McFadden
down with injury much of the season. He may get a look as a starter somewhere
however, and that would be a mistake – as Bush just hasn't shown himself capable
of sustaining a high level of production in that role due to his physical
approach to the game. In a tandem with Bradshaw, seeing about 12-14 touches a
game however, Bush could be a very nice complementary piece to this
offense.</p>
Justin Forsett- 26 Years Old, SEA Seahawks</p>
He's a very dynamic, threatening player in space who can do a lot of damage
on the outside runs and delayed handoff. Forsett also brings value in his
ability to be a big play threat as a return man. A 10 touch a game guy who can
bring a new element to this Giants football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) team. That being said, the Giants front office
may feel there are guys in the draft who can bring playmaking ability to the
backfield and return game in the mid to late rounds of the draft at a cheaper
price.</p>
LaDainianTomlinson - 32 Years Old, NY Jets</p>
I know he's old in running back years, I know NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) teams are moving towards a committee youth movement
in their backfields – but Tomlinson does have some value. He's still a very
solid at blitz pickup and the blocking game (something the Giants will miss with
Brandon Jacobs' departure), and he's still one of the better route running and
pass catching running backs in the league on third down. He will come at a cheap
price, and if the Giants feel he has anything left in the tank – he just may get
a look.</p>
OFFENSIVE LINE</p>
G Carl Nicks - 27 Years Old, NO Saints</p>
Now don't go getting your hopes up – let's make one thing very clear: Carl
Nicks is going to demand a LOT of money on the open market, and the Giants
aren't a team in position to spend a lot of money this off-season. This is
arguably the best interior offensive lineman in the game. With that said, the
one place the Giants have shown themselves to be very willing to spend money is
along the front lines on both sides of the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/). A Nicks-Snee tandem at the guard positions
would very quickly go a very long way in solving the Giants problems in running
the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
consistency. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? Don't be surprised if you hear about the
Giants kicking the tires and asking about the price tag.</p>
G Ben Grubbs - 28 Years Old, BAL Ravens</p>
Certainly a more realistic possibility than Nicks, Grubbs has been a very
good run blocker for the Baltimore Ravens and has an impressive combination of
strength, power, and athleticism in the interior. I would be shocked if Grubbs
isn't on the radar for the Giants, as he profiles as a very good fit for a team
looking for immediate improvement to the power running game.</p>
T Geoff Schwartz - 25 Years Old, CAR Panthers</p>
Young, versatile, underrated, and a potential bargain. Sounds like a New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/)
Giants type free agent signing to me. Schwartz missed the 2011 season with a hip
injury, but had a very impressive 2010 campaign and has two very valuable assets
– versatility, and a lot of very good pass blocking skills. Eli Manning is in
the prime of his career, and there's nothing more important than protecting your
franchise quarterback. With all the question marks along the offensive line,
Geoff Schwartz could be a prime target for the G-Men this March. "
</p>
"The biggest news surrounding the New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants this off-season to this point has been
the cutting of running back Brandon Jacobs after seven seasons and two Super
Bowl wins with the team. The two sides were unable to reach a restructuring
agreement on his contract, and regretfully said goodbye – opening up a spot in
the Giants backfield going into next season.
Behind Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware is a solid backup running back who does
several things well but nothing great, and seventh round pick Da'RelScott out
of Maryland rarely saw the field last season but has the speed to really be a
big play threat if he can develop the patience to be a successful runner at the
NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) level. GM
Jerry Reese said he hoped Scott could become a "Willie Parker-type" runner for
Big Blue after drafting him last year.</p>
Now looking at the facts, one thing is clear – the Giants were not nearly the
running team they wanted to be last season. They had the worst yards per carry
average in the entire NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) during the regular season at 3.5 yards, putting them
at the bottom of the seven teams that did not reach 4 yards a carry during the
2011 season. That average did rise to 4.2 yards per during the postseason, but
the Giants know that with Jacobs no longer part of the team and an inconsistent
and injury-riddled offensive line that will likely be saying goodbye to right
tackle Kareem McKenzie, the team has some work to do offensively this
off-season.</p>
Jerry Reese is the type of General Manager that really leaves no stone
unturned – which is why the Giants have been so successful under his tenure. The
team builds through the draft, but with free agency on the immediate horizon,
today we look at some of the FA period possibilities for this Giants football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
team to address the running game. Which players could potentially be a fit with
this Giants offense?</p>
RUNNING BACK</p>
<a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Mike Tolbert" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/mike-tolbert/" rel="tag nofollow">Mike
Tolbert</a> – 26 Years Old, SD Chargers </p>
This is a guy who can bring a couple of dimensions to this Giants offense
that they could certainly use coming out of the backfield. A utility back in
every sense of the word, Tolbert is a powerful between the tackles runner that
can fit right into the Giants physical approach to the running game. Most
appealing is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield – something this
Giants offense has not consistently had from it's running backs in quite some
time. Tolbert has also gone on record saying that the Giants are on his list of
teams that could be a "good fit" for him. The big question here will be the
price.</p>
Michael Bush - 27 Years Old, OAK Raiders</p>
Another powerful runner with the ability to really wear defenses down with
his physical style of running. Bush had some huge games for Oakland in November
last year, and also flashed some ability as a pass catcher with Darren McFadden
down with injury much of the season. He may get a look as a starter somewhere
however, and that would be a mistake – as Bush just hasn't shown himself capable
of sustaining a high level of production in that role due to his physical
approach to the game. In a tandem with Bradshaw, seeing about 12-14 touches a
game however, Bush could be a very nice complementary piece to this
offense.</p>
Justin Forsett- 26 Years Old, SEA Seahawks</p>
He's a very dynamic, threatening player in space who can do a lot of damage
on the outside runs and delayed handoff. Forsett also brings value in his
ability to be a big play threat as a return man. A 10 touch a game guy who can
bring a new element to this Giants football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) team. That being said, the Giants front office
may feel there are guys in the draft who can bring playmaking ability to the
backfield and return game in the mid to late rounds of the draft at a cheaper
price.</p>
LaDainianTomlinson - 32 Years Old, NY Jets</p>
I know he's old in running back years, I know NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) teams are moving towards a committee youth movement
in their backfields – but Tomlinson does have some value. He's still a very
solid at blitz pickup and the blocking game (something the Giants will miss with
Brandon Jacobs' departure), and he's still one of the better route running and
pass catching running backs in the league on third down. He will come at a cheap
price, and if the Giants feel he has anything left in the tank – he just may get
a look.</p>
OFFENSIVE LINE</p>
G Carl Nicks - 27 Years Old, NO Saints</p>
Now don't go getting your hopes up – let's make one thing very clear: Carl
Nicks is going to demand a LOT of money on the open market, and the Giants
aren't a team in position to spend a lot of money this off-season. This is
arguably the best interior offensive lineman in the game. With that said, the
one place the Giants have shown themselves to be very willing to spend money is
along the front lines on both sides of the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/). A Nicks-Snee tandem at the guard positions
would very quickly go a very long way in solving the Giants problems in running
the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
consistency. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? Don't be surprised if you hear about the
Giants kicking the tires and asking about the price tag.</p>
G Ben Grubbs - 28 Years Old, BAL Ravens</p>
Certainly a more realistic possibility than Nicks, Grubbs has been a very
good run blocker for the Baltimore Ravens and has an impressive combination of
strength, power, and athleticism in the interior. I would be shocked if Grubbs
isn't on the radar for the Giants, as he profiles as a very good fit for a team
looking for immediate improvement to the power running game.</p>
T Geoff Schwartz - 25 Years Old, CAR Panthers</p>
Young, versatile, underrated, and a potential bargain. Sounds like a New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/)
Giants type free agent signing to me. Schwartz missed the 2011 season with a hip
injury, but had a very impressive 2010 campaign and has two very valuable assets
– versatility, and a lot of very good pass blocking skills. Eli Manning is in
the prime of his career, and there's nothing more important than protecting your
franchise quarterback. With all the question marks along the offensive line,
Geoff Schwartz could be a prime target for the G-Men this March. "
</p>