Storyline: Adding free agents Janoris Jenkins, Damon Harrison, Olivier Vernon, and re-signing Jason Pierre-Paul make the NY Giants a good bet for ’16 in the NFL East. Written by Matt, London, England. Check out sports advice and tips at Betadvisor.com.
The New York Giants finished 6-10 last season last season and missed the playoffs again, costing head coach Tom Coughlin his job. The G-Men were good enough on offense to win most games with Eli Manning having one of his best seasons and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. continuing to show he’s simply not guardable.
Courtesy: CBSSports.com
New York struggled mainly on defense. But thanks to free agency those problems might be solved. New York looks like the early team to beat in the NFC East. It’s 3.5000 on betting tips to win the division.
The New Orleans Saints stole most of the defensive futility headlines last season, but it was actually the Giants who finished dead last in total defense–allowing a whopping 420 yards per game. So GM Jerry Reese, whose own job is on the line in 2016, acted decisively in free agency. He added CB Janoris Jenkins, DT Damon Harrison, DE Olivier Vernon, and re-signed DE Jason Pierre-Paul.
Jenkins, formerly of the Rams, got a five-year, $62.5 million deal. In his four seasons with the Rams, Jenkins has been one of the league’s best playmaking defensive backs, scoring six touchdowns–the most of any defensive player in the NFL in that span. Jenkins has a reputation as a bit of a gambler in coverage, which is high-risk, high-reward (see all those touchdowns), but he improved in that area this past season. Jenkins finished with 64 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in 15 games. He is one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in the game. Pairing him with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (a pricey free-agent addition in 2014) gives the Giants one of the best cornerback tandems in the league. It’s needed as New York came close to being the first in league history to allow 300 yards through the air per game in 2015.
Courtesy: bleacherreport.com
Vernon, formerly of Miami, got a five-year, $85 million deal. Vernon is only 25, had 7.5 sacks last year (11.5 in 2013) and is clearly a pass-rusher on the upswing. For some reason the Dolphins took the transition tag off him after signing past-his-prime Mario Williams.
Harrison got a five-year, $46.5 deal. Harrison, 27, is a 6-foot-4, 350-pound monster, who can team with Johnathan Hankins to clog up the middle against the run. Harrison has 116 run stops over the past three years — 28 more than the defensive tackle who’ss next highest on the list, Buffalo’s Marcell Dareus. The Giants were 24th against the run in 2015.
Courtesy: abc7chicago.com
Finally, Pierre-Paul got a one-year deal worth up to $10.5 million with incentives. He played just nine games last year following a July 4 fireworks accident that mangled his right hand. Pierre-Paul has undergone offseason surgery he hopes will help with the use of his hand, in particular his middle finger, which is missing the tip. He used to be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. New York was 30th in sacks last season.
The Giants should be largely done in free agency now. But look out if they land Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with their first-round draft pick this April. Look for the Giants to have a wins total of 8 for the coming season.
