The Giants needed a quick strike Tuesday as NFL free agency kicked off. Something immediate to start to remove the bitter aftertaste of their 7-9 season, something to fix what co-owner John Mara called a “broken’’ offense.
Quick strike is what the Giants did, as they struck deals with two players to address pressing needs on their offensive line and in their offensive backfield. They added offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz — the object of their desires right from the start — and running back Rashad Jennings as the renovation of their diminished attack continues.
Looking for a receiver to cure some of the offensive woes, the Giants will be paid a visit Wednesday by Ravens wideout Jacoby Jones.
The Giants on Wednesday also will meet with Tracy Porter, the former Saints, Broncos and, most recently, Raiders cornerback who last season became the first player in the NFL to have interception returns for touchdowns in his career against Peyton and Eli Manning.
If Porter, 27, signs, it could mean the Giants have moved on from Terrell Thomas, their own unrestricted free agent.
The Giants did not forget about their defense Tuesday, as they also signed linebacker O’Brien Schofield on a busy first day of the open market.
The Giants, as expected, were forced to part ways with Linval Joseph, the sturdy defensive tackle, who signed with the Vikings. All along they anticipated not having the salary-cap space to ante up for Joseph, who cashed in with a five-year, $31.5 million deal.
Schwartz, 27, is a massive man (6 feet 6, 332 pounds) and has played for the Panthers, Vikings and last year for the Chiefs, starting 26 games in what has been something of a vagabond NFL career. In addition to guard, he has played tackle. He can plug in immediately at either guard spot, but also could be an interesting option on the outside for the Giants, as they believe Justin Pugh, who started every game as a rookie at right tackle, can play any position along the line other than center.
Having Schwartz gives the Giants the option of playing him at guard or right tackle, allowing Pugh to perhaps move to left tackle if Will Beatty is unable to return following surgery to repair a broken leg. One NFL source, though, said the thought of putting Schwartz at tackle is “scary.’’
Everyone knew the Giants were in the market for a running back, with nothing but uncertainty on their roster at that position. Everyone suspected they would go after one in free agency. That someone is Jennings, who late Tuesday afternoon posted on Twitter that he is headed to New York to sign with the Giants.
It’s a move that makes sense. Jennings, 28, is coming off a strong season with the Raiders, as he ran the ball 163 times for 733 yards and six touchdowns, often subbing for injured Darren McFadden. Jennings had a solid game Nov. 10 against the Giants at MetLife Stadium, rushing for 80 yards, with 55 of them coming in a very impressive first half.
Previously, Jennings — who wanted to stay in Oakland but could not work out a deal with the Raiders — spent four seasons with the Jaguars, mostly playing behind Maurice Jones-Drew. He is not considered to be a marquee running back, but the Giants need someone as insurance in case David Wilson cannot make a successful return from neck surgery. The leading rusher last season, Andre Brown, is an unrestricted free agent and has attracted interest from the Raiders, possibly to replace Jennings.
Schofield, an outside linebacker, mostly has been a backup in his four NFL seasons. He spent his first three years with the Cardinals — he was a 2010 fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin — and in 2013 was with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. The Giants must view Schofield (6-3, 242 pounds) as an ascending player, as they gave him a two-year, $8 million deal. It was a fairly significant contract for a 26-year old player who has played in 50 NFL games, with 11 career starts. He saw action in 15 games last season for the Seahawks, starting twice, and finished with eight tackles. He started nine games for the Cardinals in 2012 and then was released.
Adding Schofield does not affect the Giants’ pursuit of their middle linebacker, Jon Beason, who is representing himself. He will try to drum up interest for himself on the open market but knows the Giants want him back.