Alterraun Verner is coming off of a career year with the Tennessee Titans and he could be taking his talents to an even bigger stage. According to ESPN New York, the New York Jets inquired about the free agent cornerback, largely as a contingency plan should the team fail to come to a restructured deal with Antonio Cromartie.
Cromartie has long been considered a candidate for release, as he’s due $15 million in 2014 and, at almost 30-years-old, is coming off of his worst season in New York. Verner, 25, will likely command between $9 and $10 million per year.
If the Jets can’t afford Verner, perhaps the other Big Apple team can. The New York Giants also inquired about Verner, according to The Daily News, The team doesn’t have too much cap space to work with, but it does have major needs in the secondary. Aside from Prince Amukamara, Corey Webster appears to be on his way out and Terrell Thomas is a free agent.
Another Giants free agent, Hakeem Nicks, is coming off of back-to-back down years, largely due to lingering injuries. The wide receiver is aware of that fact, and according to ESPN, he’s willing to accept a one-year, “show me what you can do” sort of contract in 2014.
Nicks is open to re-upping with the Giants, but if not he hopes to land with a team with a proven quarterback, per the report. He has previously been linked to the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots. According to Dr. James Andrews, who performed surgery on Nicks’ knee, the wideout is fully healthy.
Got copies of the letters Hakeem Nicks’ doctors sent teams. Dr. Andrews wrote his knee “appears to have completely healed.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2014
Dr. Anderson wrote teams about Nicks: MRI on ankle showed “mild degenerative changes” that is “not unexpected given this patient’s career”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2014
More Anderson on Nick’s foot: MRI was “essentially unremarkable, noting only post surgical change. … He’ll continue without restriction”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2014
A former Giant, Osi Umenyiora, spent last season on a disappointing Atlanta Falcons team. Apparently, the former Pro Bowler is homesick.
Atlanta wants Umenyiora to accept a pay cut, and if things don’t work out, the defensive end would be open to returning to the Giants, according to NJ.com. The Giants would reportedly be open to the reunion as well.
With Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph free agents, the Giants could try to revive its pass rush with a familiar face, one that produced 7.5 sacks this past season. The Giants are expected to address the defensive line this offseason — in an effort to get younger — but they would reportedly be open to re-signing Umenyiora at a reduced rate.
