The Philadelphia Eagles winning Super Bowl 52 added to the misery that the New York Giants and their fans had to endure in the 2017 season.
The good news is the 2017 season is officially over and Giants general manager Dave Gettleman can fully focus on free agents that can help turn the Giants around in 2018.One pending free agent that would be a good fit for Big Blue is a man that helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl. That’s running back LeGarrette Blount.
There were reports last offseason that the Giants had an interest in Blount, who was a free agent after playing the previous three seasons with the Patriots since there was uncertainty that Paul Perkins could be the workhorse running back.
But then-GM Jerry Reese neglected to sign Blount who in turn, signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.
Not signing Blount proved to be one of the biggest and final mistakes that Reese made.
Perkins struggled mightily in 2017, gaining just 90 yards on 41 carries. He was eventually supplanted on the depth chart by both Orleans Darkwa and rookie Wayne Gallman.
Darkwa, who turns 26 this month, is an unrestricted free agent and since he’s in the prime of his career, he’ll be seeking the biggest payday of his career. His price tag might be too high for the Giants to match.
So now the Giants are in the same position they were last offseason. They’re unsure if their second-year running back (Gallman) can shoulder a heavy workload, and Blount is available to be signed as a free agent.
The 31-year-old Blount would give the Giants the kind of big, physical running back they haven’t had since Brandon Jacobs. He would also bring championship experience, having won three out of the last four Super Bowls (two with Patriots, one with Eagles).
His physical running style would be a good compliment to Gallman’s quick and elusive running style, and he can also serve as the goal line back which is a position the Giants have struggled with for years.
Last season Blount led the Eagles in rushing with 766 yards on 173 carries and two touchdowns. He added three more rushing touchdowns in the postseason, including a 21-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Rollin into the end zone.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/F1FMuVnJdJ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 5, 2018
The Eagles won’t slap a franchise tag on Blount or offer him a long-term contract since they traded for Jay Ajayi in the middle of last season and have Corey Clement on their roster.
Blount, who figures to be looking for a two-or-three-year deal, only made $1.25 million in 2017. He’s unlikely to get much of a raise this offseason, making him a rather inexpensive option for the Giants, who have limited cap space to play with.
Signing Blount wouldn’t keep the Giants from adding a free-agent offensive lineman. Adding both would only improve their rushing attack, which ranked 26th in the NFL last season.
The Giants will have their second chance to acquire Blount. Will Gettleman pull the trigger and sign him, or let him slip through his hands as Reese did a season ago?
