New Giants head coach Pat Shurmur and GM Dave Gettleman — in stark contract to their predecessors at this time last year — recognize that Big Blue needs to make significant improvements to its O-line in order to return to contention in 2018, as Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes. Schwartz views the rapid improvement that the Vikings’ O-line made from 2016 to 2017, in large part due to heavy free agent and draft investment, as an indication that New York will be able to make a similar jump under Shurmur.
Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg are unrestricted free agents and there is no guarantee that either will be re-signed, John Jerry can be cut without many salary cap implications, and the new regime has no connection to Ereck Flowers, so the Giants’ line will be in for a major overhaul, and Schwartz thinks Shurmur is the right man to lead that change.
Now for more notes from the league’s east divisions:
- Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that Shurmur was able to retain Giants assistant offensive line coach Lunda Wells, who also garnered interest from the Raiders and other teams. New York will promote Wells to tight ends coach. In addition, the team is expected to retain RB coach Craig Johnson, per Schwartz (via Twitter).
- Carson Wentz believes he will be ready for the start of the 2018 season, which is already leading to speculation as to what the Eagles will do with Nick Foles, who has guided the team to a berth in Super Bowl LII in Wentz’s absence. Jimmy Kempski of the PhillyVoice says the team’s medical staff also believes Wentz will be available when Week 1 of the 2018 season rolls around, and Foles will count for $7.6MM against the cap in 2018, the last year of his current deal. Rather than let Foles leave in free agency after 2018, Kempski speculates that Philadelphia could trade Foles to a QB-needy team this offseason. Of course, the Eagles have the luxury of simply holding onto one of the best backups in the league if they do not get an offer they like.
- Patriots QB Tom Brady had an appointment earlier this week to remove the 12 stitches on his throwing hand that he played with in the AFC Championship Game last Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Brady is expected to be fully healthy for Super Bowl LII.
- James Harrison has given the Patriots‘ defense a nice boost since joining the team on December 26, and the 39-year-old said he does not intend to retire at the end of the season. Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Harrison says he may want to play for up to two more years.
- Assuming the Jets are not able to land Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold in this year’s draft, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com believes Gang Green would prefer Josh Allen over Baker Mayfield (Twitter link). Although Allen may be more raw than Rosen or Darnold, some believe he has the highest ceiling of any signal-caller in the draft.
James Harrison cant even keep up now maybe if it a late in the season pick
He’s like a lefty specialist in baseball. Bring him in for a few plays when needed.
Not a bad comparison.
Trade Foles to somebody like Cleveland who can then allow their next QB of the future to sit a bit until better prepared.
Completely agree, whichever team drafts Josh Allen, or likely every QB that goes in the 1st round, it would be best for them to have a strong veteran to learn from. I believe on a one year deal, Foles would be motivated to earn another chance at starting, and it’s been reported that he and Wentz have had a very good working relationship with one another.
Meaning, I think he’d be a good fit and mentor for a young, fairly raw QB like Allen, Rosen, Darnaud, or Mayfield as well…
I could see Alex Smith and Nick Foles working as two of the best one year stop gaps for teams that draft a QB in the 1st round.
Josh Allen may be Brock Osweiler 2.0. A guy who’s not that accurate playing against mediocre defenses is not likely to set the world on fire against much smarter and more talented opponents.
Have to disagree, I believe Allen has much more talent and intagibles than Brock. Brock’s cockyness, I believe, has been a hindrance from him taking a step forward, not to mention his lack of accuracy as well.
I think Allen’s accuracy issues are a bit more overblown than what he is really capable of. He unquestionably needs a year to develop, but I believe he will be a quality, top 15 franchise QB in the NFL, easily from year 2 on forward, with plenty of room to grow.
He and Rosen are my top 2 QB’s out of this draft. I believe Darnaud and Mayfield are the two QB’s with the biggest accuracy concerns.
I agree with you. No question that all these guys are talented, but each of them have flaws that can make or break their future in the NFL. Aside from the accuracy concerns, Mayfield has had some on and off-field issues as well. He reminds me a bit of Manziel.
Mayfields accuracy improved every year he played. 64%, 68%, 71%, and 71%.
The Eagles will definitely keep Foles. Doug Pederson is Tayloring an offense to Nick Foles. I don’t see many other head coaches doing that. I know it didn’t change too much compared to Carson Wentz, but you definitely can’t have Sudfeld backing up Wentz. He hasn’t had much experience this year.
That’s what I thought, but they love Sudfeld so much they gave him a full salary on the Practice Squad and when a Wentz went down in the heat of crunch time they refused to sign a veteran backup and instead promoted him to the active roster. They really like the kid, plus they can sign a veteran backup cheaper than what they’ll owe Foles and still groom Sudfeld.
I’m surprised Rex Burkehead didn’t come up missing after causing Brady’s hand injury lol….’In other news Rex Burkehead has not been seen by his friends or family in quite sometime. Patriots coaches and officials deny Rex ever being on the Patriots team nor even acknowledging they know who Rex Burkehead even is. Strange strange story’