Giants upgrade pass rush with big-money signings
It was readily apparent that the New York Giants lost their identity over the course of three consecutive losing seasons. They re-established that character Wednesday, however, overhauling a defensive line that was an integral component of their Super Bowl-winning teams in 2007 and 2011.
In a bold, targeted effort, the Giants rebuilt their pass rush once known for dominating in the trenches. New York re-signed Jason Pierre-Paul, the lone defensive remnant from the team's glory days, to a reported one-year, $10.5-million deal, before landing defensive end Olivier Vernon on a five-year, $85-million contract that stole headlines on a hectic first day of free agency.
Those moves alone should help the Giants improve on a paltry 30 sacks in 2015, the third-worst total in the league. But they weren't done, also adding defensive tackle Damon Harrison, a premier run-stopper, according to Pro Football Focus, who, alongside Johnathan Hankins, will anchor a unit that allowed 100.6 rushing yards per game a year ago.
It's unclear whether Pierre-Paul can return to form as a ferocious edge-rushing force after losing a finger in a fireworks accident last summer. But the Giants are clearly hoping he can at least resemble his former self.
Armed with the third-most cap space prior to Wednesday's transaction spree, the Giants made the most of their opportunity to immediately transform their defense. Vernon, criminally underrated during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, is arguably the biggest haul after leading all 4-3 defensive ends with 30 quarterback hits last year, according to Pro Football Focus.
What's more, Vernon never missed a game during his first four seasons.
An enhanced front seven also has the ancillary benefit of improving the secondary. New York's inability to generate pressure last season left its defensive backs grasping for air, and the unit was torched consistently as receivers had plenty of time to re-route. After Wednesday, this should no longer be the case.
New York also added cornerback Janoris Jenkins on a five-year, $62.5-million contract in a move emblematic of the team's audacious free-agent strategy. Jenkins, a premier ballhawk who takes calculated risks in pursuit of the football, should immediately improve a secondary decimated by injuries in 2015.
With Pierre-Paul, Hankins, Harrison, and Vernon set to put a relatively weak NFC East quarterback group on notice, the Giants could once again be known as a truculent, bullying force on D. And first-year head coach Ben McAdoo has to be thinking about a return to the postseason now that the Giants have found their identity.