Official grades of the New York Giants additions.
New York Giants General Manager. Jerry Reese
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Pierre Paul
What I love most about this pickup is the structure of the deal; one year and 10.5 million dollars is a great option for JPP and the NY Giants. When JPP came back on the field there was an immediate impact on the team. The impact might not have translated to the numbers but it was clear that he showed leadership and pressured the quarterback for the minimal time he had. An offseason of training camp, getting his hand healthy, the one year contract has hopefully proved his worth, even after the fireworks incident.
Grade:B
Olivier Vernon
The Giants overpaid for Vernon, but can you blame them? Last season, the Giants had one of the worst defenses we have ever seen. The pass rush was the biggest bug of their defense and needed to be addressed during the off season. Vernon signed a 5 year contract, worth $85 million dollars and $52.5 million dollars guaranteed. Vernon is only 25 years old has shown potential to grow as a player. His numbers while he played his first 4 years in the NFL playing for the Dolphins aren’t great, but with the new team and expectations, expect Olivier to reach a higher ceiling. Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon filling in the hole of defensive end will produce instant impact on the field for opposing offenses.
Grade: B+
Janoris Jenkins
In my opinion, Jenkins is the Giants worst pickup of the off season; not because of his play but because of money. While the Giants overpaid for Olivier Vernon and won the bidding war against the Jaguars, I don’t think it was worth it. Jenkins got a 5 year, $62.5 million dollars with 29 million dollars guaranteed deal. I believe he is an 8 to 9 million dollar a year player. Jenkins said his problem last year on the Rams was that he was lazy at the end of games. That’s alarming in its own right, but Giant fans have been getting trolled all over Twitter from a divisional rival. There is a video of Jenkins getting burned by Dallas Cowboy star, Dez Bryant, and is being used by many non-Giant fans to show how stupid this contract is. Jenkins tends to bite on running routes, which has been his biggest problem- and that needs to be addressed. The bright side is a new system, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie mentoring him, and a new group of coaches around him, hopefully there can be improvement in his game walk; but the contract is too pricey.
Grade: C
Damon “Snacks” Harrison
Sorry Jet fans, your cross town rival has one of your favorite players, Damon Harrison. His contract is 5 years, worth $45 million dollars. This big and physical defensive linemen is known as one of the best run stoppers in the league. Johnathan Hankins and Damon clogging up the middle will be strength of the Giants defense against the run game. He doesn't hurry up the quarterback with pressure, based on the stats, but his impact on the run game is the one component every great defense needs to stop. The Giants have a lot of money to spend this offseason and the pickup of Harrison wasn't too expensive for a defense that needs all the help they can get. Defense is built on championships and with a beefy big defensive line, there will be a very high chance of success.
Grade: B+
So far the Giants went all out for defense, which is the right move. The additions overall should help the Giants big time. Eli Manning’s window is closing and the time to win is now.
