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New York Giants Mailbag: Roster Reshaping Edition

Let's open up this week's mailbag to see what's on everyone's mind.
Patricia Traina|
New York Giants Mailbag: Roster Reshaping Edition
New York Giants Mailbag: Roster Reshaping Edition

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New York Giants

If you'd like to submit a question for the mailbag, please send it to nygiantsmaven@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and conciseness. While we try to answer all questions received, we reserve to consolidate if several people ask the same question.

(From Lou L.) Do the Giants remember their one-year wonder, Jeff Hostetler? I do. I've been a fan for over 70 years. Why pay for that? Wouldn't it be better to pay Barkley, not pay Jones a huge sum and draft a replacement and have money to use?

Lou, to your question about paying for Barkley, does he touch the ball on every play? No, you pay for the quarterback. Just look at the Jets and how their playoff hopes sank because they didn't have a quarterback. Do you want to see that happen to the Giants?

And you want to be content with just a "one-year wonder" at quarterback? Do you think the Giants will get a blue-chip quarterback at No. 25? Seriously, Lou, Schoen has all but taken an ad out on a Times Square Billboard declaring Jones is their quarterback moving forward, so it's obvious they want him back.

(From Eric S.) Any way you dice it, Daniel Jones will make a lot of money, enough to set him up for life. Why wouldn’t he look at the situation in a way where he takes somewhat less money, enabling the Giants to build around him, thus contributing to his long-term success?

He's human, Eric. If your boss asked you to take less money than you thought you were worth so they could hire another employee, would you? Be honest.

(From Doug A.) Since losing badly to the Eagles in the playoffs, are coaching and defensive line personnel changes anticipated for next season well as systematic changes to improve both run and pass defense?

Are design changes also being made to offensive plays to generate more yardage from running backs and not rely on Daniel Jones spontaneous running on broken pass plays? Won't teams defend the "bootleg" more when they play the giants now?

Thanks for the questions, Doug. Yes, some changes will be made, but what they are, I can't say, as it depends on what talent they acquire and what specific skills that talent has. But I can tell you that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll want to see improvements across the board, and I think the coaches have an idea of what they'd like to do if they have the right talent to do it.

You asked about teams defending the bootleg more. Again, let's wait and see who they add to the roster-- a lot of your questions are based on the unknowns. Check back with me after this roster fills out to 90 men, and I've gone through minicamps to see what might be developing.

(From Mike S.) Why can't the Giants draft some offensive linemen?

Have you forgotten about Andrew Thomas? Evan Neal? Marcus McKethan? Josh Ezeudu?

(From Dan W.) I believe that the Giants should improve their offensive line first in the draft. Why wouldn’t they use their first two picks to sure up the offensive line?

Dan, you do NOT draft based on position need. You draft the best player available, and if the BPA happens to fit a need or if you have several players with similar grades, you go with the need. This has been how all 32 teams have drafted for years. If the BPAs are both OL, then they'll draft them. If not, they won't.

(From Bobby A.) Can the Giants franchise tag Jones and subsequently trade him before the draft? I have been in the camp from the beginning that thinks a poor supporting cast has very adversely impacted him. Still, now I wonder if the Giants would be better off looking for a longer-term rebuild by using draft capital from such a trade to move up for a QB who would be on a rookie contract for a few years.

And do what at quarterback? Yes, they could do a tag and trade if Jones signs the tag, but why would they? Also, this team has so many holes to fill. It's not in a position to be trading away assets from this year and next year to move up to the top ten. 

We still need to go through Pro Days and free agency, which can impact how the draft order goes. I suppose anything is possible, but I won't sit here and make any definitive statements on that right now. As we get closer to the draft I should have a better feel.

Got ya covered here and here. (Joe Najarian also has a series in which he's identified a few free agents like Ben Powers and Germaine Pratt as being fits, guys I'd agree with.

The non-exclusive tag. It costs way less than the exclusive tag (which, by the way, is RARELY used in the NFL). 

Interesting question. If you think about it, it's pretty obvious how either side could potentially have the media do its bidding, right? I will say that as long as one remains objective regardless of the situation, they will remain above the fray.   

Gosh, there are so many. New Orleans is always a blast--if you stay on the main strip (Canal Street), you can walk to the dome. Dallas is always fun--home of some great BBQ, plus I always find the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza worth visiting. The nightlife in the Deep Ellum part of town can't be beaten. 

San Francisco is one of my favorites--great restaurants, and it has two of my all-time favorite tourist spots, Alcatraz and Lombard Street (my dad loved going down Lombard Street!) I also have fond memories of exploring China Town and love visiting the Piers along the waterfront. I also try to make it a point to take the ferry across the bay to Sausalito, which has a lot of quaint little shops and restaurants.

Miami is cool for the beaches and the nightlife. Vegas, for the shows and nightlife--Arizona is rather peaceful and relaxing, and I've yet to find a Mexican restaurant back east that tops Los Dos Molinos. I've never been to Buffalo, so I can't speak about that DC is nice if you stay in the Georgetown area. Philly is okay if you stay in the downtown area. Overall, you can't go wrong with this slate of road games.

I'd like them to add veterans at inside linebacker, interior defensive line, and safety. That doesn't mean they can't add rookies there, either, but I think I'd want some veteran experience at those three spots.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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