The Giants rang in the New Year all packed up and scattered across the country, having already cleaned out their lockers and parted ways after a 7-9 season that had them out of contention virtually from the opening kickoff.
Every offseason is crucial, but some take on a heightened sense of urgency and there’s no doubt this one falls into that category.
With winning, there’s a desire to keep together, to embrace and the theme after claiming the Super Bowl title following the 2007 and 2011 seasons was one of continuity if at all possible.
That goes out the window when losing flies in and is accompanied by another non-playoff season. For this Giants, this time is not about retaining what they’ve got, it’s about expanding their talent base.
A look at what awaits the Giants:
NOTABLE FREE AGENTS
When you write so many one-year contracts, this is what you get. This is quite a list, with 23 unrestricted free agents — more than half of them either starters or members of the playing rotation.
The ball gets rolling with Justin Tuck, coming off an 11-sack ninth season wearing blue, strong enough to seemingly secure a return, but the Giants won’t break the bank to keep him.
The same holds true for Hakeem Nicks, except Nicks is coming off a pedestrian year — though co-owner John Mara sure sounded understanding of Nicks’ physical issues.
The most money should go to Linval Joseph, as young, sturdy defensive tackle anchors are hard to find, but the price might get too high. We might see a repeat of the Barry Cofield departure, circa 2008.
There are many hard choices to make: cornerback Terrell Thomas, center/guard Kevin Boothe, safety Stevie Brown. Is tight end Brandon Myers a one-and-done? Easiest decision of all is linebacker Jon Beason, who should be a top priority and re-signed before the confetti is cleaned up in Times Square.
POSSIBLE CUTS
Let’s put something to bed right away: Antrel Rolle isn’t going anywhere, despite his high ($9.2 million) salary cap number in 2014. If the Giants cut their best player they might as well also slash ticket prices because it would be a sign to their fans they aren’t trying to compete. Coming off multiple injuries, there is no way center David Baas is coming back as a cap cost of $8.2 million, and he likely won’t be back at all.
The 500-pound elephant in the room (no offense intended, big guy) is Chris Snee, coming off another hip surgery. He’s on the books for $11.7 million in cap cost and if he wants to try to squeeze an 11th season out of his body he knows he’ll have to renegotiate his deal, probably tied to playing-time incentives. Will Beatty fractured his leg in the season finale, is coming off a terrible season and is a $7.4 million hit, but it would be onerous against the cap to let him go. The interesting juggling act is weighing the value and dependability of Mathias Kiwanuka against his modest 2013 production and cap number of $7 million. Could he have to go in order to bring back defensive line teammates Tuck and Joseph? It seems as if Cullen Jenkins ($3.2 million on the cap) earned another season.
SALARY CAP
Estimates are the Giants will have around $17 million of salary cap space to use heading into free agency, unless they make drastic roster moves. They were dried up completely this season, ending 2013 with what one data base reveals as only $41,000 in available cap space, not even enough to put some of their hurting players on injured reserve and sign a warm body for the final game.
CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT
Teams get in trouble when they draft for need and as a result force-feed a pick to fill a position even if that player is a reach at that spot. The Giants cannot get into that quagmire, but how can they not add an offensive lineman with the 12th overall pick?
There’s a glaring hole — holes, actually — on the line and at least two new starters must find their way onto the roster. Can the Giants be certain they can find one after the first round?
Assume the top tackle prospect, Jake Matthews of Texas A&M, is gone in the first 11 picks. Perhaps the Giants get to select from a group that includes Cyrus Kouandjio (Alabama), Taylor Lewan (Michigan), Cyril Richardson (Baylor) and Antonio Richardson (Tennessee).
Immediate help is unquestionably needed and the guy most ready to play might be the way to go because this is no draft to take risks. If linebacker Anthony Barr (UCLA) or receiver Sammy Watkins (Clemson) drop down those are also positions in need of re-stocking, but there had better be an offensive lineman worth taking to fill a starting role in the second round.
FREE AGENCY TARGETS
The market has yet to take shape, but it is a near certainty the Giants will have to add experience on the offensive line and at running back. Heck, there might need to be a whole new backfield brought in, considering David Wilson is a medical risk, Andre Brown is a free agent, Michael Cox had a nondescript rookie year and the contracts and possibly the careers of veterans Brandon Jacobs and Peyton Hillis have expired.
Rashad Jennings of the Raiders, Darren McFadden’s backup, ran for 88 yards against the Giants this season and could be an interesting pickup. The same holds true for Ben Tate, Arian Foster’s caddy with the Texans.
Quality offensive linemen don’t come cheap, but it sure would look swell if Branden Albert (Chiefs) or Eugene Monroe (Ravens) came aboard at tackle or Alex Mack (Browns) or Brian De La Puente (Saints) arrived to move in at center.
HARDEST DECISION
Firing a longtime offensive coordinator and hiring a newcomer with as new system and an entirely new language is serious stuff.
Eli Manning told The Post recently he is comfortable with Kevin Gilbride’s offense and believes comfort and familiarity is very important. If the Giants make the expected changes to the offensive coaching staff, Manning for the first time in his 10-year career will be rocked out of his comfort zone and have to learn a brand-new offense. That takes time and effort. Figure any new playbook will be easier on the receivers because their reads and assignments and options will be simplified somewhat, but the burden will be on Manning to master the new offense.
If someone new is hired and only tweaks the playbook, what’s the point?
GIANTS FREE AGENTS
UNRESTRICTED
DE Justin Tuck
TE Brandon Myers
DT Linval Joseph
LB Jon Beason
LB Keith Rivers
OL Kevin Boothe
K Josh Brown
CB Corey Webster
S Stevie Brown
WR Hakeem Nicks
RB Andre Brown
TE Bear Pascoe
QB Curtis Painter
CB Terrell Thomas
S Ryan Mundy
RB Peyton Hillis
OL David Diehl
WR Louis Murphy, Jr.
DT Shaun Rogers
RB Brandon Jacobs
CB Aaron Ross
DT Mike Patterson
CB Trumaine McBride
RESTRICTED
LB Spencer Paysinger
FB Henry Hynoski
LB Mark Herzlich
C Jim Cordle
RB Da’Rel Scott
EXCLUSIVE
OL Dallas Reynolds