Justin Tuck’s production has dropped the past two seasons and he’s making superstar money.
Credit: Getty Images
The Giants wasted no time in getting down to business this offseason.
Just two days after the Super Bowl they cut veteran linebacker Michael Boley and followed that up a day later with star Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Canty.
The team has many free agents though, including Victor Cruz, Will Beatty and Kenny Phillips. Metro looks at who else should be cut sooner rather than later:
>RT David Diehl
Why: Diehl, 33, has spent his entire 10-year career with the Giants. In seven of them he has started 16 games. But last year he played in 13 and started just 10 as he was moved to right tackle. The team needs to sign Beatty and can’t waste money on a veteran who is a backup at this point.
>CB Terrell Thomas
Why: Thomas hasn’t played in two years with serious knee injuries. Thomas has a salary bonus of $6 million due in March, so it’s hard to see them keeping a player who has barely played under such a large deal.
>CB Corey Webster
Why: Unlike Thomas, Webster has played and played well over his eight-year career, all spent in blue. He played well enough to earn a five-year, $43 million deal in 2008. But with only one year left, cutting him this offseason would save the team $7.25 million on their cap. That’s big money saved.
Who stays?
The Giants have to weigh who they can cut with who they are going to compete with going forward. So who should the team keep going into next season.
>S Antrel Rolle
Why: Rolle is not the player he was when the Giants signed him to a five-year, $37 million deal in 2010. He has two years remaining, though exactly how much money is left is unclear after he restructured the deal in 2011. It’s over $6 million though, which is a lot for a 30-year-old safety. And yet, as the unquestioned leader of the defense he needs to return in 2013.
>DT Justin Tuck
Why: Speaking of defensive leaders, Tuck is also a player who could be axed. Tuck’s base salary is $4.5 million (so his cap number is higher), but the defensive lineman has not had much impact recently. He only has nine combined sacks since 11.5 in 2010 alone, but the team needs bodies on the line.
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.
