Giants Sign Shane Vereen and Jonathan Casillas

 Posted by
Mar 102015
 
Shane Vereen, New England Patriots (October 16, 2014)

Shane Vereen – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Giants Sign Shane Vereen: The New York Giants have reportedly signed unrestricted free agent running back Shane Vereen (New England Patriots). The contract is reportedly a 3-year, $12.35 million deal with about $4.75 million in guaranteed money.

The 26-year old Vereen was originally selected in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Patriots. In four years in New England, Vereen played in 42 regular-season games with eight starts (six of those coming in 2014). In the 2014 regular-season, Vereen carried the ball 96 times for 391 yards and two touchdowns and caught 52 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes in Super Bowl XLIX. Vereen lacks ideal size and power, but he is an elusive back with good vision and speed. Vereen is one of the better pass-catching backs in the NFL as he runs good routes and has good hands. He is also solid in pass protection. Vereen has been somewhat injury prone, completing only one 16-game season.

Giants Sign Jonathan Casillas: The New York Giants have reportedly signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Jonathan Casillas (New England Patriots). The contract is reportedly a 3-year, $8 million deal.

The 27-year old Casillas was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New Orleans Saints after the 2009 NFL Draft. He has played for the Saints (2009-11), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013-14), and Patriots (2014). Last season, Casillas played in five games for the Buccaneers before being traded to the Patriots in late October. In eight games for the Patriots with three starts, Casillas accrued 28 tackles. Casillas lacks ideal size and has issues against the run, but he is speedy linebacker who is good in coverage. He is a good special teams player.

Other New York Giants Free Agent News: Although teams have been free to negotiate with free agents on other teams since Saturday, the official signing period started at 4:00PM on Tuesday, March 10. Here is the latest news on the free agent front for the Giants:

  • A BigBlueInteractive.com source reports that the Giants are involved in trade talks with the New Orleans Saints about defensive end Cameron Jordan.
  • A BigBlueInteractive.com source reports that the Giants are close to a contract extension for cornerback Prince Amukamara, who has one year left on his current contract.
  • Unrestricted free agent safety Antrel Rolle is visiting the Chicago Bears.
  • The NFL Network is reporting that the Giants are out of the running for unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Dan Williams (Arizona Cardinals).
  • The New York Daily News is reporting that the Giants “are definitely in play” for unrestricted free agent safety Ron Parker (Kansas City Chiefs).
  • NJ.com is reporting that the Giants expressed interest in unrestricted free agent safety Da’Norris Searcy (Buffalo Bills). However, Searcy is signing with the Tennessee Titans.
  • ESPN is reporting that the Giants were interested in unrestricted free agent cornerback Buster Skrine (Cleveland Browns), but Skrine was looking for more money than the Giants are willing to pay. Skrine has since signed with the New York Jets.
  • According to a beat writer for the Falcons, unrestricted free agent linebacker Brooks Reed, who the Giants were reportedly interested in, will sign with the Atlanta Falcons.
  • NJ.com is reporting that the Giants only offered unrestricted defensive end Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles) a 1-year contract. Graham re-signed a 4-year, $26 million contract with the Eagles.

March 9, 2015 New York Giants Free Agent Update

 Posted by
Mar 092015
 
Dan Williams, Arizona Cardinals (October 12, 2014)

Free Agent Dan Williams – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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With the second day of the negotiating period now over when teams can talk to free agents on other teams, here is the latest news on the free agent front for the New York Giants:

  • Devin McCourty, who was widely regarded as the best safety on the market, has re-signed with the New England Patriots. According to multiple press reports, the Giants were one of the teams making a big push to sign McCourty. McCourty signed a 5-year, $47.5 million contract.
  • The Buffalo Bills are also reportedly close to re-signing unrestricted free agent defensive end Jerry Hughes, who the Giants also reportedly expressed interest in.
  • Confirming earlier reports, Newsday is reporting that the Giants reached out to unrestricted free agent safeties Rahim Moore (Denver Broncos) and Ron Parker (Kansas City Chiefs) over the weekend.
  • Newsday is also reporting that the Giants are trying to re-sign unrestricted free agent safety Stevie Brown.
  • ESPN continues to report that the Giants reached out to unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Dan Williams (Arizona Cardinals) and defensive end Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles) over the weekend.
  • The New York Daily News is reporting that while the Giants are interested in unrestricted linebacker Brooks Reed (Houston Texans), the team is not considered a front runner to sign him.
  • In case you missed it, the Giants are also reportedly interest in unrestricted free agent running backs Roy Helu (Washington Redskins) and Antone Smith (Atlanta Falcons).

Teams can officially sign players from other teams at 4:00PM ET on Tuesday, March 10.

Giants Interested in S Ron Parker and DE Adrian Clayborn

 Posted by
Mar 082015
 
Ron Parker, Kansas City Chiefs (November 20, 2014)

Ron Parker – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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According to The New York Daily News, the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agents safety Ron Parker (Kansas City Chiefs) and defensive end Adrian Clayborn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). USA Today is also reporting the Giants interest in Clayborn. While teams are not allowed to officially sign players from other teams until 4:00PM ET on March 10, they can negotiate with them as of March 7.

The 27-year old Parker started 15 games for the Chiefs in 2014, finishing with 94 tackles, 1 sack, 12 pass defenses, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. Parker, who has experience playing corner, combines better-than-average coverage skills for a 6′, 206lb safety.

The 26-year old Clayborn, who was drafted in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, has never lived up to his draft-day expectations. He missed most of 2012 and 2014 with injuries, but did accrue 13 sacks in the two years he was healthy (2011 and 2013).

The New York Daily News is also reporting that the Giants are trying to re-sign unrestricted free agent Stevie Brown.

In the “less official” category, TheHuddleReport.com is reporting that the Giants may be interested in unrestricted free agent linebacker Brooks Reed (Houston Texans). The 28-year old Reed started 13 games in 2014 and finished with 41 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 interception.

Rumors persist that the Giants are interested in unrestricted free agent Devin McCourty (New England Patriots), who is widely considered the best safety on the market. There has also been some internet buzz that the Giants are interested in unrestricted free agent defensive end Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles).