Now Former Giants, Head for Higher Ground

As of 12:01 am this morning the NFL's free agency period as begun. By 3:45 pm, two Giants' linebackers are now gone.

That is the nature of free agency in the NFL. One day they are here and the next they are being paid a lot of money.

Linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor have been whisked away from the Giants with the lure of more cash. Mitchell signed a long term deal with the Bills and Torbor (who I am a fan of) was signed by the Miami Dolphins.

With a Superbowl ring in tow for both men it was a good move on their part as they more than likely would not have received the same offer from the Giants. Even worse Torbor would have probably been demoted back to the bench with the return of Kiwianuka to the lineup.

Now with Mitchell gone, the opportunity for 3rd year man out Georgia Tech Gerris Wilkenson has been placed in front of him. He played well last year in his substitution rolls when Mitchell went down, and because he did so it is probably the reason why Jerry Reese made no real effort to resign Mitchell.

With all that said however, it now leaves the depth at that position very low. Back about a month ago I told everyone this would be the position they would target in the draft on day #1. With two LBers down, it may be a position they fill within the first 2 rounds.

If his one year history serves us well, Reese has shown that he will let the frenzy of the free agency period affect other teams, and when it settles down, he will fill in gaps on this team with serviceable players. Last year he did it by signing the likes of Kawika Mitchell and Madison Hedgcock, 2 pieces of the Superbowl puzzle that were needed.

By: Michael C. Podlesny

Note: Jerry Reese rejected an offer made by the New Orlean Saints which detailed a trade for Giants TE Jeremy Shockey in exchange for the Saints' 2nd round draft choice.

Mel Kiper's Big Board as of 2/25/2008

Can be found at ESPN.com

Mel's Big BoardPlayer Yr. Pos. School Chg.
1. Darren McFadden Jr. RB Arkansas
2. Glenn Dorsey Sr. DT LSU
3. Matt Ryan Sr. QB Boston College
4. Jake Long Sr. OT Michigan
5. Chris Long Sr. DE Virginia
6. Sedrick Ellis Sr. DT USC
7. Aqib Talib Jr. CB Kansas
8. Vernon Gholston Jr. DE Ohio St.
9. Ryan Clady Jr. OT Boise St.
10. Phillip Merling Jr. DE Clemson
11. Kentwan Balmer Sr. DT North Carolina
12. Leodis McKelvin Sr. CB Troy
13. Malcolm Kelly Jr. WR Oklahoma
14. Chris Williams Sr. OT Vanderbilt
15. Jonathan Stewart Jr. RB Oregon
16. Calais Campbell Jr. DE Miami
17. Rashard Mendenhall Jr. RB Illinois
18. Jeff Otah Sr. OT Pittsburgh
19. Felix Jones Jr. RB Arkansas
20. Mike Jenkins Sr. CB South Florida
21. Chilo Rachal Jr. OG USC
22. Fred Davis Sr. TE USC
23. Dan Connor Sr. LB Penn State
24. Keith Rivers Sr. LB USC
25. Derrick Harvey Jr. DE Florida