The Giants this year didn’t have much salary cap space and were not anticipating making a big splash in free agency, but slowly, steadily, and — this is crucial — inexpensively they appear to have upgraded a defense that sagged in 2012.
Not straying far to import proven talent, the Giants Wednesday added a second former Eagles defensive lineman, signing Mike Patterson to a one-year contract.
Not done yet, the Giants today have Julian Edelman in for a visit and the former Patriots receiver and punt returner could become another addition.
Clearly, the Giants are serious about revamping a defense that gave up a franchise-record 6,134 yards last season. They also allowed 129.1 rushing yards per game.
Patterson, 29, was released by the Eagles on Feb. 25, the same day they let go of another of their longtime starting defensive tackles, Cullen Jenkins. The Giants targeted Jenkins, signing him to a three-year, $8 million deal to replace Chris Canty. Now they’ve signed Patterson, who has been productive, but comes with medical baggage.
He started 99 of 115 games in his eight years with the Eagles and has 16 1/2 sacks. Patterson, though, suffered a seizure in the summer of 2011 and was diagnosed with cerebral arteriovenus malformation (AVM). That did not stop Patterson from starting 15 games in 2011, but in January 2012 he underwent a six-hour surgical procedure on his brain to untangle the nerves that causes the AVM and the seizure.
“It was tough, but you never know what’s in store for you,” Patterson said. “I put my faith in God and everything worked itself out.
“Everything is good. I had a physical and a workout [with the Giants] and everything was good.”
Patterson played in only five games last season. Still, he said he didn’t see the release by the Eagles coming.
“Even though I didn’t play that much last year, it wasn’t due to football injuries,’’ said Patterson, a college teammate at USC of current Giants Terrell Thomas and Keith Rivers. “It just came down to me getting sick and me recovering from my surgery. It was nothing to do with on-the-field stuff, so I know I’m perfectly healthy when it comes to playing football.”
The Giants this offseason have turned a position with limited depth and experience into one that appears well-set. In addition to Linval Joseph and Jenkins as the expected starters at defensive tackle, they have added Patterson, re-signed veteran Shaun Rogers — who missed the entire 2012 season with a blood clot in his leg — to go along with two youngsters, Markus Kuhn (returning from reconstructive knee surgery) and Marvin Austin.
Edelman, 26, will be making his first free agent visit. He is small (5-foot-10, 198 pounds) and has endured his share of injuries in his four years in New England — he was put on injured reserve last December with a broken foot. But when healthy, Edelman is one of the most dangerous punt returners in the NFL, averaging 13.2 yards on 72 career punt returns, along with three touchdowns.
Edelman also has 69 career receptions for 714 yards and four touchdowns as a smallish slot receiver. If he signs with the Giants it could signal the end for Jerrel Jernigan, the 2011 third-round draft pick from Troy.
The Giants could use another receiver, as Domenik Hixon yesterday signed a one-year contract with the Panthers. Hixon last season had 39 catches for 567 yards and two touchdowns and, despite two ACL surgeries, had been a reliable reserve target for Eli Manning, but the Giants want to get younger at the position.