Giants in FA, Pt.7: A Tale of Two Splurges

This year's free agent market has really ridden up beyond a point where what was available made much sense for the Giants.  The history of the Giants if free agency has been nothing like the history of the Yanks.  In the first place, when free agency started, the George Young didn't seem to believe in it, and the Giants kind of collapsed, especially after they screwed up their own cap with the Rodney Hampton deal, and for awhile with being too loyal and second contracting more average or worse guys on their own roster.

But Kevin Abrams brought clarity and flexibility to the Giants cap room and continues to do so today.    During the Abram era, the Giants have had two big FA splurge years.  The first was in 2005 and it was WILDLY succcessful.   The Giants got Kareem McKenzie, Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce, and along with their equally brilliant 2005 draft were soon winning Super Bowl's again.  

Last year, they also went big with DRC, Geoff Schwartz, Rashad Jenning, Thurmond and a bunch of lesser, but still intriguing signings.   So far last year's splurge hasn't impressed.   DRC played hurt most of the year, and Schwartz barely played at all.  Thurmond was IR'd early, and Rashad Jennings was good when he could go, but missed a lot of games.   Still some of these guys could still bounce back and redeem the splurge.

What the Giants have not been or become is the Redskins, who wanted to be the Yanks of football under their unctuous owner, but kept guessing wrong with huge deals for players who would show up in semi-retirement.

In 2000, the Giants pioneered a method where they spread the dollars around discounted player and ended up with another NFC Championship.  Bill Belichick has constantly claimed that that Giant offseason  became his model for his Pats building.  

Thus far, this offseason is looking more 2000-y than splurgey, and hopefully it will prove just as productive.