Should the Giants be looking further at free agents?

[BleedinBlue]

I think it's pretty much universally accepted that the Giants filled the holes in the team from the loss of free agents Mitchell and Wilson.

 

But we also lost William Joseph and have a hole in the defensive line now.....not that Joseph was ever a stud, but a somewhat worthy backup. Cofield is solid, but Robbins isn't getting any younger and Alford isn't proven. The Giants released Russell Davis as well, so we only have 3 DT's, with an aging Robbins and an unproven Alford. Now Alford gets much attention from his plowing over Tom Brady in the superbowl, but was that an anomoly, or is it a sign of great things to come from him? I don't recall any super moments during the regular season in which Alford stood out, but it's possible I missed it. Also, Tuck comes in a plays an occassional DT position that throws the opposition off guard.

 

Anyway, should the Giants be looking at picking up a free agent defensive tackle like Larry Tripplett? Personally, I think so. Tripplett was a second round draft pick in 2002 and is still young and had a breakout year in 2005, the last year of his contract. Of course.....he went for the big money in free agency and landed on the Bills roster. But the Bills were looking for a huge impact player rather than a steady lineman and because of that, have released him and are searching for a Marcus Stroud type player.

 

As far as I'm concerned, we have such dominent DE's that all we need is rock solid DT's to keep the line intact. I think picking up Tripplett would make a lot of sense because he would be surrounded by great talent and wouldn't be expected to be the stud of the line. In fact, he'd be freed up as the offensive line has to put so much emphasis on Osi, Strahan and or Tuck (and maybe Kiwanuka). At the worst, he could compete for the job against a crop of DT's that come during or after the draft.

 

Anyone else think we should go this route....or am I just thinking crazy?

[BlueInCanada]

If some vet is out there and wants to come in cheap just as a backup then sure. I think we will be taken a DT in the later rounds anyways maybe 5th or 6th. Cofield has turned out to be a great pick for us and I think Alford will be taken Robbins spot once he decides to leave.

[fishgutmartyr]

Anyone else think we should go this route....or am I just thinking crazy?

 

I'll answer no and no. I don't think you're being crazy, but I'm not exactly breaking into cold sweat worrying about replacing Joseph, either. We didn't have him last year, since he was IR.

 

Cofield is going into his third season already, and is a proven commodity. Alford is going to improve, and Robbins still plays well. It wouldn't shock me to either see a DT drafted in the first few rounds, but I could also see us signing someone after the draft. But I don't see any urgency to get it done sooner. We're talking at most a rotational player.

[Lubeck]

With the amount of money left over and thinking down the line I would rather draft someone rounds 3-5 and get a rookie contract on the books rather than a veteran contract. Cofield is a solid starter and Robbins is a good vet. Alford can and should improve. Throw in a 4th guy drafted and a UFDA for camp/practice squad and even if Strahan retires and Tuck can't do DT anymore they will be set financially and talent-wise.

[BleedinBlue]

I agree with you guys that it's no emergency. But if we could get an athletic, potentially solid DT (by solid I mean, better than Joseph) with 6-7 years of experience...and get him for cheap. It would be worth it to throw him into the mix to see what he's got for a motor and football sense. At worst....you cut him after spring training.

[gateb]

If Strahan comes back there might be a chance Tuck plays even more at DT. Cofield is solid, I love Robbins, and some scout compared Jay Alford's first step to that of Tommie Harris. Russell Davis is okay too.

[BleedinBlue]

If Strahan comes back there might be a chance Tuck plays even more at DT. Cofield is solid, I love Robbins, and some scout compared Jay Alford's first step to that of Tommie Harris. Russell Davis is okay too.

The Giants didn't resign Russell Davis and he's now a free agent getting little attention.

[Sephiroth]

Is Manny Wright still on the team? He didn't seem to be that bad when he was in there for us.

[BleedinBlue]

Is Manny Wright still on the team? He didn't seem to be that bad when he was in there for us.

Yeah...he's listed on the roster. I don't know a whole lot about him other than Miami cut him because he was too heavy and didn't lose weight. Bills picked him up, then cut him because he couldn't lose 30 lbs. I don't recall anything he did for the Giants, but apparantly they're keeping him for the time being. Seems he came to Miami with a lot of hype, but he's had too many issues with his weight to stick on a team.

[boohyah]

I think it's pretty much universally accepted that the Giants filled the holes in the team from the loss of free agents Mitchell and Wilson.

 

But we also lost William Joseph and have a hole in the defensive line now.....not that Joseph was ever a stud, but a somewhat worthy backup. Cofield is solid, but Robbins isn't getting any younger and Alford isn't proven. The Giants released Russell Davis as well, so we only have 3 DT's, with an aging Robbins and an unproven Alford. Now Alford gets much attention from his plowing over Tom Brady in the superbowl, but was that an anomoly, or is it a sign of great things to come from him? I don't recall any super moments during the regular season in which Alford stood out, but it's possible I missed it. Also, Tuck comes in a plays an occassional DT position that throws the opposition off guard.

 

Anyway, should the Giants be looking at picking up a free agent defensive tackle like Larry Tripplett? Personally, I think so. Tripplett was a second round draft pick in 2002 and is still young and had a breakout year in 2005, the last year of his contract. Of course.....he went for the big money in free agency and landed on the Bills roster. But the Bills were looking for a huge impact player rather than a steady lineman and because of that, have released him and are searching for a Marcus Stroud type player.

 

As far as I'm concerned, we have such dominent DE's that all we need is rock solid DT's to keep the line intact. I think picking up Tripplett would make a lot of sense because he would be surrounded by great talent and wouldn't be expected to be the stud of the line. In fact, he'd be freed up as the offensive line has to put so much emphasis on Osi, Strahan and or Tuck (and maybe Kiwanuka). At the worst, he could compete for the job against a crop of DT's that come during or after the draft.

 

Anyone else think we should go this route....or am I just thinking crazy?

 

 

I think you are absolutely correct in saying that the DT position could be upgraded. With Robbins/Cofield and Alford it's a solid core, but not spectacular. Robbins has to be motivated to play well, and that usually happens when he's in danger of losing his starting role, or in the case we have now where we rotate those positions. If the Giants could get the best athlete in this years draft and he's a DT, I say absolutely go for it. Can you imagine the outside rush if we are collapsing the interior also. What damage we could do with a Haynesworth or Willfork "type" in the center. Some people don't ever value the play of a Keith Hamilton, but I guarentee that Strahan loses at least 30-40 of his sacks if not for the fact that every time the ball was snapped, Hammer was already 1-2 yards in the pocket putting heat on the QB.

 

Cofield specialises in run stopping and will always be a solid pro, and Alford looks like the real deal, I'd like to keep him around a while.

 

 

I don't like the Free agency route though Bleedin, it's weak and Triplett isn't consistant at all.

 

[gateb]

The Giants didn't resign Russell Davis and he's now a free agent getting little attention.

We'll probably get him back for vet minimum.

[jerseyguy]

I'll answer no and no. I don't think you're being crazy, but I'm not exactly breaking into cold sweat worrying about replacing Joseph, either. We didn't have him last year, since he was IR.

 

Cofield is going into his third season already, and is a proven commodity. Alford is going to improve, and Robbins still plays well. It wouldn't shock me to either see a DT drafted in the first few rounds, but I could also see us signing someone after the draft. But I don't see any urgency to get it done sooner. We're talking at most a rotational player.

I'm still holding out hope that Manny Wright turns out to be what was expected of him when he was in college. At 6'5 and 345 pounds he could be the runstuffer we need and he's only 23 ...

[JayD]

Personaly I was hoping for a stud DT in FA, obviously thats not going to happen. But I think your right Bin, we could use some help there, even if its mid talent. Besides, a mid talent guy could end up a stud under Spags, and having the insane DE's we have.