The New York Giants beefed up their defensive line and likely found their replacement for Chris Canty Sunday after signing defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins to a three-year $8 million deal with $3.15 million guaranteed, according to the Associated Press. Jenkins has spent the past two years with the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Jenkins had previously signed a five-year $30 million contract with the Eagles in 2011, and started every game for them until being cut along with fellow lineman Mike Patterson last month. In his two years in Philadelphia, Jenkins recorded 9.5 sacks and 56 tackles with one forced fumble. In seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Jenkins amassed 38.5 sacks and 188 tackles while developing a reputation as a big-time run stuffer. Last season the Giants were gashed for 2,066 yards on the ground which was eighth-worst in the NFL.
Canty had nine sacks in three seasons with the Giants, but only played in nine games in 2012. Jenkins is an upgrade over Canty numbers-wise, but he is 32 years old, and two years older than the departed Canty. He also represents an upgrade in the sack column over Canty, something the Giants did not look like they would need after their 2011 Super Bowl win. The strength of Big Blue was supposed to be their pass-rushing defensive line, but as a team the Giants recorded just 33 sacks, 22nd most in the league. They had the 31st ranked defense overall in 2012. Jenkins will join Linval Joseph, Shaun Rogers and Marvin Austin on the defensive line's interior.
The Giants still have many key free agents to deal with on offense as well as defense. Their unrestricted free agents include defensive end Osi Umenyiora, tight end Martellus Bennett, safety Kenny Phillips, linebackers Keith Rivers and Chase Blackburn, and wide receiver/return man Domenik Hixon. Their restricted free agent list has Victor Cruz on it, who proved with an 86-catch, 1,096 yard ten-touchdown season that his 2011 breakout was no fluke.
The Giants have already released veterans Ahmad Bradshaw and Michael Boley.
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