Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger — US Presswire
Going into free agency in March, the New York Giants will probably be nearly $10 million over the 2013 salary cap if they don’t make any moves. With a good amount of free agents, the Giants would like to retain, this will mean there will definitely be players who will be asked to take a pay-cut like RB Brandon Jacobs last off-season.
Furthermore, the Giants just might be more inclined to cut players to get below the cap. This means that there are a couple of candidates who could become salary cap casualties. The Giants will have to make these decisions with logical thinking and before the free agency period begins. The last thing they would want is to lose out on a player they intended on keeping or getting in free agency.
It is clear that DE Osi Umenyiora is on his way out, but CB Corey Webster and LB Michael Boley are the first two players that come to mind when thinking about cap casualties. It already appears Boley is on his way out, as the Giants decided to give more playing time to their younger linebackers towards the end of the season. The Giants indicated Boley was dealing with injuries, but Boley said he was healthy enough to play more.
By getting rid of Boley, who’s entering the final year of his contract, the Giants would save roughly $4.5 million. The Giants will probably look to upgrade the linebacker position through the draft anyway, so releasing Boley is probably the surest thing the Giants will do this off-season.
Webster was beaten deep a lot of times this season, and it all fell apart for him in their game against the Baltimore Ravens. Webster is also entering the final season of his deal, which he is scheduled to make nearly $10 million. The Giants still believe in Webster, but they will definitely be going to him to take a pay-cut. If he refuses a pay-cut to the Giants’ satisfaction, they will release him, saving over $7 million in cap space.
QB Eli Manning will definitely be approached about a pay-cut as well, but he will not be going anywhere anytime soon. A couple of veteran surprises who could be cut are OL David Diehl and DE Justin Tuck. Both are in the final years of their deals as well, and both have not been as productive as expected. Let’s see what the Giants do to get under the cap.
