New York Giants: 5 Jerry Reese era players Dave Gettleman shouldn’t even bother with
By Sean Dyer
Jonathan Casillas
I must give credit where credit is due. Jonathan Casillas was a quality free agent signing by Jerry Reese. Casillas went from special teamer on the New England Patriots to starting linebacker with the New York Giants and their defensive team captain.
Casillas registered 88 total tackles as a part-time starter in 2015 and 96 total tackles as a full-time starter in 2016.
2017, however, was unkind to Casillas. He only played in eight games due to injury and his coverage skills looked sub-par (after eight pass defenses in 2016).
Casillas is 30 years old and it appears that Father Time is chasing him down.
Perhaps the biggest reason Dave Gettleman should move on from Jonathan Casillas is the ease of the move. Casillas is a free agent who the Giants can simply let walk.
Big Blue will miss his leadership (although leadership was lacking in 2017 altogether and the Giants need to reevaluate everyone in that regard) but Damon Harrison, who was voted defensive captain after Casillas went on injured reserve, and Landon Collins are the future leaders of the defense.
Gettleman needs to infuse young talent into the Giants linebacking corps and Casillas does not fit that bill. Casillas had a productive Giants career but when he was signed back in 2015, he wasn’t expected to be much more than a one-contract player.