Giants: Daydreaming About The Possibilities If No Salary Cap Was In Place

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Remember the good old days when the salary cap did not exist in the world of the NFL?

Yeah, I know the good old days! Man I miss those days; kind of like daydreaming about old school coaches and players who lived for the love of football.

*snaps out of the dream*

Well, long gone are those days. The cap is pretty much here to stay my friends. Each season as the Combine and Draft approach; scouts hover to watch potential talent arriving on the scene. Counting numbers, watching stats, vying to claim the next big thing.

Reality then sets in!

Every team, although we hate it, has a salary cap, and it has to be followed.  Just why can’t we keep all of our players and add more? Geez! Yeah too much like right. It’s always interesting to me to see what team will get what players, and how much they are willing to “put up”, like a bet to win the best player…hmmmm that’s funny; but still its true! As fans, we look to the owners and wish they would open their wallets as wide as the day is long! Spend it, spend it, spend it! It’s like a Vegas gamble!

So, if the Giants could have the first pick of the Draft; I would say there are five top of the line free agents who would definitely help the Giants in building a great team; but….oh yeah that’s right, there’s that one thing: Salary Cap tags and yeah that will probably just stop New York.

Many people are looking for #1 sought after free agent Ndamukong Suh. Man what’s not to like about him? He’s big, he’s powerful, he’s a monster who can get the job done, and he is a powerful defensive tackle. Well I’d take him; I mean that’s if the Lions don’t want to keep him; or can’t afford him. Suh paired with Jonathan Hankins in the interior and Jason Pierre Paul and Damontre Moore or Robert Ayers as the starting ends…daydreaming again! Suh himself stated he wouldn’t mind relocating to New York; but with the demanding monster contract that comes along with Suh; New York doesn’t have the money to splurge on just one player. His contract is expected to fall between $90-100 million.  Pierre Paul is also set to hit the free agency realm and is more than likely expected to get the $15 million franchise tag! In order to afford both Suh and Pierre Paul; New York would have to cut its roster in half!

Remember Rolando McClain? Yeah the guy who went into retirement and came back out at 25? Well the once declared bust; had a pretty solid season with the Cowboys. He finished second on the Cowboys in total tackles with 67. Think he won’t ask for more money? Of course he will.

The Giants however are unlikely to get involved in bidding.  Point blank, the Giants have other needs outside of McClain based on just one season of solid performance.  Jordan Cameron of the Cleveland Browns won’t be joining the New York Giants either. That thing called injuries will get you every time. Yeah he’s 26, I know, but with a history of injuries; it’s not a gamble right now the Giants want to take.

Safety Devin McCourty …yes he would look good in Giants blue right? Oh just for a split second I forgot….the New England Patriots might in fact franchise tag him. Well, the Giants need veteran safety depth, so bonjour to that thought.

While Victor Cruz is a key player for the Giants; he tore his patellar tendon in week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. At this point it’s a wait and see situation. While hoping he recovers from the injury, during free agency, it wouldn’t hurt to add receivers. Randall Cobb is the third highest graded free agent receiver behind Dez Bryant of Dallas and Demaryius Thomas of Denver. The thing that plays in his favor outside of his stats, is his age. He’s 25 years and if he stays healthy; there is a lot of football left for him. However, it seems that the Packers will work out a deal with Cobb even if it is at the very last hour. Long shot in the wind; Cobb probably won’t be wearing Giants blue either this season. Dagnabbit the fans say.

Eager fans can’t help but tune in on Feb 20-21 to the NFL Combine.  On April 30, once again hopes and spirits will rise. Owners, coaches, players, and of course fans, will be tuned in cheering, hoping to get the crème of the crop for their team next year.

As for me, all I keep thinking is: Dang why does there have to be a salary cap?