The Giants are in need of offensive linemen and at least one tight end. Dire need. That is why they are expressing interest in players at those positions during the legal tampering period in advance of Tuesday’s official start of NFL free agency.
They are exploring centers Brian de la Puente of the Saints and Evan Dietrich-Smith of the Packers as they look to fortify the offensive line. David Baas – who was scheduled to make $4.75 million in 2014 – will be released, though there is a chance he returns at a reduced salary if he proves he is healthy. Baas played in only three games last season and is coming off neck and knee injuries. There’s also a chance the Giants re-sign Kevin Boothe, who last season started six games at center and can play either guard or center.
De la Puente, 28, started 44 games in the last three seasons for the salary cap-strapped Saints, including all 16 in both 2012 and 2013. He would be a proven veteran to plug into the lineup. Dietrich-Smith could have an advantage in that new Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is very familiar with him, having served as tight ends and then quarterbacks coach in Green Bay the past eight years. Dietrich-Smith has started 25 games in his NFL career, including all 16 last season.
At tight end, the Giants have shown interest in Andrew Quarless of the Packers, Brandon Pettigrew of the Lions and Ed Dickson of the Ravens. Of the three, Pettigrew is the most proven player and would undoubtedly cost the most money. Pettigrew, 29, is a former first-round draft pick with 284 career receptions for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns. His best season was 2011 (83 catches for 777 yards) and 2013 was not one of his best years (41 catches for 416 yards). He’s also big enough (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) to be an effective blocker, something the Giants view as a prerequisite for the position.
“There’s a lot of moving pieces,’’ said a source familiar with Pettigrew’s free-agent plans.
Dickson, 27, has not done much since his best season, 2011, when he caught 54 passes for 528 yards and five touchdowns. In 16 games last season, he had only 25 receptions for 273 yards and one TD.
McAdoo knows all about Quarless from his time as tight ends coach in Green Bay. Quarless has been the backup to Jermichael Finley, who also is an unrestricted free agents. Though Finley is much more accomplished and was once viewed as a rising star, he is coming off neck surgery and will have to be carefully evaluated. Quarless caught 56 passes for 586 yards and three touchdowns in four years playing behind Finley. He reportedly has attracted interest from six teams in addition to the Giants, but he does not figure to be a big-ticket player who will eat up too much of the salary cap.
Quarless, 25, played high school football at Uniondale on Long Island and then went on to play to Penn State. He was a 2010 fifth-round draft pick of the Packers.
At the moment, the Giants have virtually nothing to show for their tight end position. They fired respected, longtime tight end coach Mike Pope. They have not expressed any interest in re-signing Brandon Myers, who struggled through an uneven 2013 season. Bear Pascoe is an unrestricted free agent. The only tight ends on the roster are Adrien Robinson, Larry Donnell and Daniel Fells.
Linebacker Jameel McClain, cut by the Ravens, visited with the Giants last week and was in Minnesota on Monday meeting with the Vikings. “The door is still open’’ with the Giants, said an NFL source.