New York Giants Not Expected To Be Option For Adrian Peterson
Don’t expect the New York Giants to the landing spot for free agent running back Adrian Peterson.
The New York Giants have had a strong offseason. Despite being cash-strapped, the Giants have done well filling the holes on their roster with savvy, low-cost moves. There are a few holes left to fill, but arguably the biggest hole is at running back.
The Giants offensive line received a lot of the blame for the running game last season, and rightfully so. While they have struggled for seasons, the Giants have had the most talented of running backs to rely on.
Rashad Jennings was serviceable, but couldn’t stay healthy. He was released this offseason to free up some money. That left the Giants with the injury-plagued Shane Vereen and Paul Perkins in the backfield. They have retained Orleans Darkwa and also signed Shaun Draughn, but the need remains for a power back.
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Luckily for the Giants, there are plenty of options they can turn to. Veteran power backs are still available on the free agent market and this is a deep draft at running back. The biggest name still available is Adrian Peterson.
Peterson is one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game. He had an amazing career with the Minnesota Vikings, but was released as his cap hit was massive for 2017. Peterson remains a free agent and has received very little interest.
On paper, the Giants are one team that could use his services. He would bring a power element to the elusiveness of Perkins and pass catching prowess of Vereen and Draughn. Don’t expect the Giants to be where Peterson lands, though.
First off, his asking price is sky high. ESPN reported that Peterson is still looking to land a contract paying him $8 million; putting him right behind Le’Veon Bell and LeSean McCoy in annual pay. He has a lot of wear-and-tear, carrying the ball over 2,100 times in his career and undergoing two knee surgeries.
The biggest knock against Peterson is his domestic violence charge. He was arrested on charges of child abuse after hitting and injuring his son in 2014. That is the biggest reason why the Giants won’t touch Peterson according to Gary Myers of the New York Daily News.
Myers cites the Giants PR disaster last season with kicker Josh Brown. The Giants re-signed Brown to a two-year, $4 million contract last offseason. He would last only five games before being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list for his own domestic violence charges.
The Giants were crushed, and rightfully so, in the media for the whole situation. It is something they do not want any part of again, so bringing in a player such as Peterson is slim to none.
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There are other options for the Giants to turn to if they want to sign a veteran. LeGarrette Blount, while not without some problems of his own in the past, would be an excellent addition. He scored 18 touchdowns last season for the New England Patriots and would give the Giants a battering ram near the goal line and in short-yardage situations.