Now all we need is a nickname for the New York Giants' newly minted defensive line. As in, mint green.
Capping off a dizzying spending spree to improve their defense, the Giants dropped a reported $85 million for five years on former Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon, with $52.5 million of that money guaranteed.
That's more money than J.J. Watt signed for last offseason. That's the market, as they say. Why would anyone ever sign before their deal is up?
The Giants now have spent $204.5 million on their defense in the first 90 minutes of free agency, with $114 in guaranteed money. That's what happens when your defense is putrid the year prior and you have an ownership green-lighting the free flow of money.
Wonder what Tom Coughlin is thinking right about now? Guess he wasn't the only problem.
But new head coach Ben McAdoo will need his defensive line, which was buttressed by the re-signing of Jason Pierre-Paul (for one year, $10 million) and the additions of Vernon and former New York Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison, really get to the quarterback. Also needing improvement: the coverage, which should be helped by the signing of cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
Whoo boy, that's a lot of money for those four players. With them entering the picture, defensive end Robert Ayers, cornerback Prince Amukamara and others likely won't re-sign. Are we sure the Giants really netted a huge improvement here?
The good news is that all four of those players, including JPP, are 27 years old or younger. The bad news is that they are far from established, no-questions-asked stars who instantly will transform this defense. Apparently, it was the risk the Giants felt they had to take.
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