The Giants gave up 2 #1's (Rivers) and then Shawn Merriman the following season, plus a 3rd rounder and a 5th rounder. You have to say it was worth it at this point with the trophy in the cabinet, although Manning was not the key to the win. The evaluation of the trade will likely swing back and forth a few more times before we're done though, the Giants are not a 12 win team that's going to be good for years. Next season if Strahan retires they may go 8-8 and reignite the argument.
People are very quick to forget the Thomas Jones deal last year While he might have been a steal in terms of us netting him for 1/2 a 2nd rounder, we did give him a hefty contract. Plus, nobody really expected our d and o lines to play as crappy as they did last season. Look for Tangini to make a hard push for one big FA, whether it is Faneca, Suggs, or Samuel.
If it's Samuel and the Jets can't upgrade in the trenches it won't matter. It'll be just like the Thomas Jones deal last year: a good value deal with no applicability to actually winning.
The Ravens don't really have all that much cap space do they? I'm sure they'll go to great lengths to get Suggs resigned, but they only have like 3/4 of there roster under contract.
^^spot on. i wouldn't mind Samuel, but I wouldn't throw the bank at him and I wouldn't take him over someone who can improve the pass rush (whoever that may be) Give a QB enuf time and he'll find his receivers, no matter who is covering them.
Franchise Tag is the poison pill for true free agency. But in this years crop of FA's, the best three players we need that will not and connot be franchised are: Asante Samuel Alan Faneca Stacey Andrews don't get me wrong, I like Gross, Dansby and Suggs but I don't think acquiring them is feasible. Lilja, he's a zone blocking small OG that doesn't suite our current make-up in the OL. Flozell Adams and Larry Allen? Too old. The above three players only cost money and have the talent, experience and longevity to get us over the hump. By the time Faneca is too old to be effective (3-4 years?), we'll draft a replacement for him. Picking up the three of them will solidify two critical units required to compete in the AFC East. Then we can use the draft to focus on strenthening the Front 7 and the OL in day one and "best players available" in day two. If Jones and Washington can successfully run....if Revis has a shut-down CB opposite him....if a new crop of defensive players can get to the QB.....then it would make it worthwhile that we had a crappy 2007 season because 2008 will be a totally different story. Are there better options in FA right now for us than the three above? Please name them because I just can't see who maybe be better and feasible for us.
Stacey Andrews is definitely not getting franchised. Those tags are for starters and never get used on reserves, not even talented ones.
