In a day when the NFL was headlined by some big signings and trades, the New York Giants have made 5 deals to bring in some depth to the team.
Shane Vereen joined the New York Giants, leaving the New England Patriots to join their NFC rivals. Vereen spent his entire four-year career with the Patriots, will join the Giants, According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reported that the deal is for four years and over $16 million.
Vereen played 52.9 percent of the Patriots’ offensive snaps in 2014, which was the highest percentage among the team’s running backs. His ability to run precise routes, reliability catching the football, top-notch elusiveness and willingness and effectiveness picking up the blitz made him a vital cog in New England’s offense that the Giants will now utilize. He’ll be in the rotation of backs along with Andre Williams and Rashad Jennings.
Vereen totaled 99 receptions over the past two seasons and In 2014, he rushed for 391 yards on 96 carries with 2 touchdowns.
Giants sured up their offensive line signing veteran Lineman Marshall Newhouse from the Green Bay Packers. ESPN’s Adam Caplan confirms the Giants agreed to terms on a 2-year deal with the right tackle. Newhouse could be slotted in as the starting right tackle but they still haven’t quite confirmed what they’re doing with Justin Pugh and exactly where he will be on the offensive line.
Linebacker J.T. Thomas leaves the Jacksonville Jaguars and joins the Giants, who recently retained their starting linebacker Jon Beason. The Giants signed Thomas to a 3-year, $12M and $4.5M guaranteed deal a source confirms to Vacchiano.
Thomas joins the Giants after served mostly as a backup in his two seasons with the Jaguars, although he ended up starting 10 games for Jacksonville in 2014, recording 84 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Then the G-Men stole away a pair of special teamers. First they took wide receiver/returner Dwayne Harris away from the Dallas Cowboys.
Harris’ agent broke that news of the signing on Twitter. Harris and the Giants are agreeing to a five-year deal for $17.5 million that includes $7.1 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. Harris has been an integral part of the Dallas Cowboys special teams. He is an excellent return man and does fantastic work on coverage on defensive returns.
The Giants also took another member of the Patriots away from the Super Bowl Champions, linebacker Jonathan Casillas. Casillas joins the Giants on a three-year, $10.5-million deal, ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports. Casillas is a weakside linebacker and could be the replacement for Jacquian Williams, who has elected to leave the Giants in free agency.
All in total, so far the Giants have spent $55 million dollars on 5 players who might not even start for the team.
Giants have now spent $55 million on five players, and it’s possible none will be starters. … Doesn’t mean they won’t help, though.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) March 10, 2015
