NFL New York Giants

10 Moves The New York Giants Should Make In The Offseason

10 Moves The New York Giants Should Make In The Offseason

Jerry Reese John Mara
William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have endured two straight losing seasons on top of missing the playoffs in five of the past six years. They shook up their team a bit last winter, bringing in a new offensive coordinator and signing a number of players in free agency. Since this season didn’t go quite as planned, and with some notable players hitting the market, expect the Giants to be making a bunch of moves after the season. Here are 10 moves they must make.

10. Extend Antrel Rolle

Antrel Rolle New York Giants
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

10. Extend Antrel Rolle

Antrel Rolle New York Giants
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Antrel Rolle is one of the Giants’ defensive captains. He’s consistently been one of the best players on the team, in addition to being a leader in the clubhouse. Rolle will be 32 by the time next season rolls around, but signing him to a three-year extension with incentives would be a great way to keep him around. Without him as the Giants’ last resort, their terrible defense may have been much worse in 2014.

9. Re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

9. Re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret the Jason Pierre-Paul hasn’t been his usual self in recent years. Perhaps his 16.5-sack 2011 was a peak with the performances he’s put up lately. Nonetheless, the potential is there, and once he’s healthy, JPP can be a game-changer. The Giants have a depleted defensive line and they need to lock him up for a long time.

8. Extend Prince Amukamara Long-Term

Prince Amukamara New York Giants
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

8. Extend Prince Amukamara Long-Term

Prince Amukamara New York Giants
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Some may argue Amukamara is the Giants’ real no. 1 cornerback, not Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I’m one of them. The Giants picked up his 2015 option at $6.9 million, and they should extend him to beyond that. Signing him plus JPP and Rolle could become expensive, so five years and incentives could be the key to retaining Amukamara. Having him and DRC healthy would make a great combo for years to come.

7. Fire Perry Fewell/Hire a New DC

Perry Fewell New York Giants
Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

7. Fire Perry Fewell/Hire a New DC

Perry Fewell New York Giants
Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

Although I’ve said the Giants need to lock up three defensive players, that doesn’t mean their defense is good. Perry Fewell has had a very rough year. The Giants play a very bland zone defense, and their bend-but-don’t-break defense breaks too often. There will be casualties or the Giants after the season, and Tom Coughlin has won two Super Bowls for New York. Fewell seems more likely to go.

6. Sign a Free Safety

Rahim Moore Denver Broncos
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

6. Sign a Free Safety

Rahim Moore Denver Broncos
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Stevie Brown returned from his injury and hasn’t played like the player with eight INTs in 2012. This year, he’s only started five games, and the other free safety, Quintin Demps, hasn’t been too great either. The Giants’ secondary has suffered a bunch of injuries, and they’ll need to address that in free agency. Reese must sign a free safety, maybe along the lines of Rahim Moore, before the 2015 season.

5. Introduce Corey Washington to the First String

Corey Washington New York Giants
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

5. Introduce Corey Washington to the First String

Corey Washington New York Giants
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Washington was the preseason hero. This isn’t so much a move they need to make in the offseason, but more of a change by next season. Washington proved to be a good wide receiver, albeit against second- and third-stringers, and deserves a shot at more playing time next year. If Victor Cruz returns healthy and the other Giants wide receivers and tight ends continue to make progress, Eli Manning will have plenty of weapons next year.

4. Draft an Offensive Tackle

Brandon Scherff Iowa
(Brandon Scherff) Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

4. Draft an Offensive Tackle

Brandon Scherff Iowa
(Brandon Scherff) Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants have struggled mightily on the offensive line this season, and injuries didn’t help. They’ll have a high draft pick, and bringing in a franchise left tackle could be huge. Will Beatty has actually played very well this year, but moving him to right tackle, moving Justin Pugh to right guard and starting Weston Richburg at center with Geoff Schwartz at left guard could leave the Giants with one of the best O-Lines in the game.

3. Release or Demote Mathias Kiwanuka

Mathias Kiwanuka New York Giants
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

3. Release or Demote Mathias Kiwanuka

Mathias Kiwanuka New York Giants
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

Mathias Kiwanuka has been a serviceable outside linebacker/defensive end throughout his career with the Giants. But at age 31, he isn’t what he used to be. With Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers Jr. waiting in the wings, the Giants need to make room for them. Kiwi signed an extension last year, so the Giants might not want to make the move, but the least they could do is have either Moore or Ayers start.

2. Draft or Sign a Young Linebacker

Shaq Thompson Washington
(Shaq Thompson) Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2. Draft or Sign a Young Linebacker

Shaq Thompson Washington
(Shaq Thompson) Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Back to the defensive theme, Reese should look to invest in another linebacker. The Giants do have Jon Beason and Jameel McClain signed for a few more years, but they can't be relied on with their age and injury history. Devon Kennard seems like the real thing, and pairing him with another solid, young linebacker would do wonders for New York. If they forgo OL in the first round, LB would be the next best choice.

1. Leave Tom Coughlin Alone

Tom Coughlin New York Giants
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

1. Leave Tom Coughlin Alone

Tom Coughlin New York Giants
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

A coach has never been fired by the same team more times than Tom Coughlin -- or that’s how the saying goes. Understandably, a lot of people will want Coughlin gone, but his players endorse him and state they haven’t given up on him. Coughlin has earned the right to retire and not be fired. GM Jerry Reese probably won’t extend him, but letting Coughlin coach through 2015 is the right way to go.

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