PATRICK MCDERMOTT/GETTY IMAGES
By Die Hard Fan – InReeseWeTrust.com 2/16/12
1. Victor Cruz Contract: Cruz had a spectacular season with the Giants; It was quite possibly the best year ever by a Giants WR. However, looking at his contract, Cruz has 1 year left and will be a restricted free agent after next season. The key to his contract is the restricted FA tag. That tag gives the Giants all the power in negotiations with Cruz. Right now, Hakeem Nicks is the better WR and needs to be paid like the better WR, which would keep a man that has been great for this franchise since the day he was drafted, happy. Cruz deserves a new contract BUT with only one year under his belt playing at this level, the Giants should not feel like they must do this and give him one more season to see if this wasn’t a fluke. I do not believe it is, but with the freedom that the restricted FA tag gives, the Giants have the power to wait until next off-season to decide leaving much-needed cap space available this off-season.
The article link below explains the other side of the equation as under the new rules; the maximum tender a restricted Free Agent can receive is a 1st round pick, not a 1st & 3rd. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very difficult decision with their franchise WR, Mike Wallace, because of this situation.
2. Mitch Petrus Status: START HIM! This is something that honestly should have happened for the entire second half of the season. Petrus has 2 seasons left on his deal and deserves a chance to prove his worth as a starter. He has bided his time and has played very well when called upon.
3. Osi Contract Situation: IF the Osi contract situation does not get resolved and the Giants decide to move on, should the Giants consider using Osi and the first round pick to move up to the 10-15 range and draft an OT? Could they even trade up for a stud WR to replace Mario Manningham with a Justin Blackmon? This might be something to consider.
4. TE Situation: The New England Patriots showed the NFL something this season – the power of 2 TE’s. I think Ballard has a future in the NFL and with the Giants, even with the knee injury that occurred during the Super Bowl. With that said, I think the Giants should not only sign a free agent TE this offseason, but draft a TE in one of the 1st 3 rounds as well. If the Giants can hit the jackpot in free agency and/or in the Draft, Eli could put together the best QB season in the NFL next year.
5. Mark Herzlich: This was one of the best stories anyone has ever heard this past season. Mark Herzlich beat all the odds to not only make an NFL roster after his fight with cancer, but he also won on the biggest prize in sports – the Super Bowl. This upcoming season is the time for Herzlich to show why he was a top LB prospect before his illness and why he can get back to that level. Herzlich showed some signs of this at times this year, but next season he needs to bring it day in and day out. Herzlich will have a full off-season to improve under the Giants system and develop to the LB that everyone thinks he can become. Everyone will be rooting for him, including myself.
6. Kevin Boothe: Easily the MVP of the O-Line last season, Kevin Boothe has proven that he can step in and play at a high level for the Giants at any position on the line. Boothe is only 28 years old and has 3 solid years ahead of him, if not more. The big question is can Boothe become the full time starter at Center for the Giants? He is under contract for one more season. If the Giants cut Baas, they would save a large chunk of money to use towards other areas of need. I think this is something that the Giants seriously need to discuss internally as it is a very important position for the team. If the Giants decide early in the offseason that Boothe can be the guy, he will have a full off-season to prepare at one position and will be THAT much more prepared for 2012.
7. Antrel Rolle: In only one season, Antrel Rolle went from a distracted individual that was ready to demand a trade, to the most influential leader on defense after Justin Tuck. I think Rolle has now settled into his role on the team and I think next season should be his best as a New York Giant “AT THE END OF THE DAY.”
LIVE BLUE DIE HARD
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