When it comes to free agency, the New York Giants, like most teams, have had their ups and downs. With free agency a week away and the Giants with $77.8 million to to spend on free agents, let us be reminded that not every signing ends up helping the club.
ESPN writer Jordan Raanan recently outlined Big Blue’s best — and worst — moments in free agency the past few seasons.
The best signing cam last March, when the Giants inked linebacker Markus Golden to a one-year, $3.75 million deal in hopes he could return to form as a highly productive pass rusher.
“He (Golden) gets the honor after recording 10.0 sacks in a prove-it year in 2019,” writes Raanan. “To date, it’s his only season with the Giants. Janoris Jenkins, Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon (the vaunted 2016 free-agent class) all had their moments, but it fell apart for each at the end.”
Last year, the Giants also signed wide receiver Golden Tate, who ended up being a plus after missing the first four games of the season due to suspension. He’s still with the team, and the Giants are expected to make a run at Golden if they can’t secure one the top pass rushers next week.
As for the worst signing, take your pick, but Raanan hit it on the head with guard Patrick Omameh, a signing that made so sense from the second it was announced.
“Lots of competition here. The J.T. Thomas signing in 2015 certainly warranted consideration, but the Omameh signing was just a clear misevaluation,” says Raanan. “It didn’t have anything to do with injury or luck. The Giants signed Omameh to a three-year, $15 million deal to be their starting guard. He lasted seven games before being released and paid $5.5 million. Just a bad signing.”
Omameh was so bad the Giants were actually late to the party in cutting him. This year, the Giants are expected to sign at least a half dozen premo UFAs, so be aware there are likely to be some clunkers in there.
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