To link the Giants to running back Chris Johnson – who was released by the Titans on Friday after weeks of speculation – based on a call they made a month ago is akin to linking a guy to buying a pre-owned Maserati because he once drove past the showroom.
Perhaps, at one time, he might have been able to afford the used Maserati, as long as the price came down. But that was before he got married, bought a house, had a mortgage to pay and children to support. Sure, the luxury car would look good in the driveway, but there’s no money to make it happen. Plus, the fast car has a ton of miles on it and can’t perform like it once did.
The Giants have signed 23 free agents to contracts worth nearly $115 million. They have about $3.5 million in salary cap space available, at least until June 1, when they receive another $5 million in cap space once the release of David Baas takes effect in the books. While there’s little doubt the Giants will add another running back before the start of training camp, it almost certainly won’t be Johnson.
Sure, it could work if Johnson wants to sign a one-year, $1 million deal. That’s not happening. He was scheduled to make $8 million in 2014, money he will never see again. While the market it not strong for running backs, Johnson was once considered one of the NFL’s best backs. He’s been in the league six years and has never failed to gain 1,000 yards. But he’s 28 years old, coming off a season in which he ran for a career-low 3.9 yards per attempt and hasn’t come close to living up to the numbers (2,006 yards, 14 touchdowns) he amassed back in 2009. He hasn’t missed a game in five years, but he’s not the game-breaking threat he once was.
The Giants knew they would undergo a massive roster overhaul this offseason and their call to the Titans when Johnson was on the trading block was one of many, many calls they made around the league. The Giants since signed Rashad Jennings from the Raiders to a four-year, $10 million deal.
“I think he’s an all-around back,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said of Jennings. “Whatever question I asked when I was looking at the tape got answered. In other words, he went 80 [yards for a touchdown last season]. Is he fast enough? He goes 80. Does he catch it out of the backfield? Yes. Does he run the screens well? Yes. How is he from scrimmage as a runner? Good. First and second down, can he play on third down? Yes, he can. What does he need? Well, he’s 230 pounds with a great attitude. He needs a little work on his pass protection, but I think we can get that done. I think he’s an all-purpose guy that fits us very, very well.’’
The Giants are hoping David Wilson will be there to complement Jennings, the speed to go along with Jennings’ power. Wilson is coming off Jan. 16 neck surgery. He had fusion of the vertebrae to repair a herniated disk. There are no guarantees he will be able to resume his career, but the Giants continue to receive positive reports and Wilson — at least on social media — appears upbeat he will make a successful return.
“All in due time with David,’’ Coughlin said. “Just pray, you’re praying that he has a return to excellent health and that the doctors are totally convinced that he is recovered and ready to go. When that time comes, you’ll have another contributor who, if he gets a step, he’s gone. I’m counting on him, but I am not going to put him in any circumstance until it’s an absolute that he’s 100 percent. I’m not going to mess with that one.”
The Giants also re-signed veteran Peyton Hillis and have second-year pro Michael Cox and Kendall Gaskins on the roster. They figure to take a running back in the NFL Draft, but not before the fourth round. They also would make another low-priced free agent signing – Andre Brown, for instance, remains unsigned. Chris Johnson, though, is out of their price range.