Record ticket sales are being reported. Football is dominating online, television and radio media. Jerseys are flying off store shelves. Most importantly though, people are talking about the NFL like the lockout never happened.
The last week in the NFL has been a frenzy of free agent signings and blockbuster trades. Teams had no choice but to make deals quickly in order to get their rosters set for training camps, most of which opened this past weekend. Both New York football teams were active in re-signing players, getting their recent draft picks under contract and adding a few new names.
Let’s take a look at the newest players who will call New York home in 2011:
New York Jets
Plaxico Burress, Wide Receiver
2010 Stats: Did not play
Career Stats: 128 games, 505 receptions, 7,845 yards, 55 touchdowns
Analysis: Burress certainly wasn’t the most talented free agent on the market, but he was the biggest name. The wideout who caught the game-winning score in Super Bowl XLII has the potential to be a big-target option — he’s a player who can go up and over opposing corners for the ball — for quarterback Mark Sanchez. While the Jets were interested in bringing back Braylon Edwards, Burress’ signing puts an end to that two-year chapter. Burress and Edwards are similar-type receivers, but while Burress is about five years older, he was cheaper. This signing also puts Burress on the line with another former No. 1 Pittsburgh Steelers receiver in Santonio Holmes. Holmes is going to draw the top defensive backs, which could help Burress garner some nice stats in 2011.
DaJuan Morgan, Safety
2010 Stats: 2 games, 1 tackle (Indianapolis Colts)
Career Stats: 30 games, 42 tackles
Analysis: Morgan adds depth behind starters Jim Leonhard and Eric Smith. The team also has Emanuel Cook and Dwight Lowery under contract. I’m not too sure Morgan will make the team. He may be an extra body while Leonhard recovers from a broken fibula.
New York Giants
David Baas, Center
2010 Stats: 16 games started (San Francisco 49ers)
Career Stats: 92 games, 54 games started
Analysis: Baas will be hiking the ball to quarterback Eli Manning this season. Center is one of the most underrated, yet important positions on the field. A strong relationship with your quarterback is essential to getting the ball into his hands efficiently and consistently. Here’s why I’m not worried about Baas: The Niners used three different quarterbacks last season and Baas was on the line for each of them. Being able to adjust to new quarterbacks in the thick of the season means he’ll be able to adjust to a new quarterback on a new team in no time.
Ben Patrick, Tight End
2010 Stats: 15 games, 15 receptions, 123 yards (Arizona Cardinals)
Career Stats: 42 games, 45 receptions, 446 yards, 4 touchdowns
Analysis: Patrick was inked to back up Kevin Boss. The Giants do have Travis Beckum listed at the tight end position, but he could be considered more of a pseudo-wideout. Patrick is a four-year player who is best known for catching a touchdown pass from former Giant Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XLIII. At 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, Patrick is a big body and target.
Steve Weatherford, Punter
2010 Stats: 16 games, 84 punts, 42.6 average, 42 in 20 (New York Jets)
Career Stats: 78 games, 363 punts, 42.9 average, 114 in 20
Analysis: Bringing in Weatherford was a no-brainer for the Giants front office. The ex-Jets punter kicked the ball well for them the last two seasons, including the first at New Meadowlands Stadium in 2010. Punting is not easy in that stadium, so any experience is a plus. This signing doesn’t boast well for Matt Dodge, who lasted all season yet was extremely ineffective. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin kept giving Dodge the benefit of doubt, but never made him feel too pressured to keep his job. I expect both Weatherford and Dodge to kick this season, but it would be surprising if the latter outlasted the veteran.
Chris White, Guard
2010 Stats: 6 games, 0 starts (Seattle Seahawks)
Career Stats: 33 games, 8 starts
Analysis: The 28-year-old adds to the Giants’ depth at the guard spot after Shawn Andrews and Rich Seubert were cut. The team re-signed Kevin Boothe, who will start at left guard and Chris Snee at right, so White will vie for a backup spot. He’s never played a full 16-game season, so durability may be an issue.
Gabe Watson, Defensive Tackle
2010 Stats: 7 games, 7 tackles (Arizona Cardinals)
Career Stats: 62 games, 105 tackles, 2 sacks
Analysis: Watson hasn’t started a game since 2007, and he’s not expected to get any with the Giants. The 27-year-old provides some veteran depth behind Chris Canty. The team also has rookie Marvin Austin and sophomore Linval Joseph on their depth chart. Watson appeared in just seven games last year, but 16 in 2009. That year he had a productive 22 tackles in limited action.
This newcomer free agency list will continue to be updated as signings occur. I’ll be on vacation until August 13, so updates may be delayed.