Three Gone
-
- February
- 12
New general manager Jerry Reese wasted no time in making the proverbial waves in Giantsland. He released today starting linebackers Carlos Emmons and LaVar Arrington, and starting left tackle Luke Petitgout.
Now, Emmons was no surprise, as his vulnerability against both the run and in pass defense left him open to this kind of move. It was indeed speculated during the season that the affable linebacker, a veteran of 11 seasons with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York, would not make it to a fourth season in Giants blue.
Arrington was somewhat of a surprise, since one might have figured he’d have gotten more than one injury-shortened season to see if he was the answer at strongside linebacker, especially with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnola coming in. But the torn Achilles tendon that felled him Oct. 23 in Dallas may have figured into that decision.
Petitgout, however, was a total shocker. True, he missed the final eight games, including the playoff loss to Philly, with a broken left fibula and high ankle sprain. But he was having a Pro Bowl season up until then. It’s hard to believe, but the Giants now have a huge hole at left tackle, unless they either plan to go for a big-name tackle in free agency or leave that spot in the hands of second-year player Guy Whimper. Bob Whitfield, Petitgout’s replacement, is likely to be another cut in the coming days.
On top of that, Petitgout’s replacement, Bob Whitfield, announced his retirement on Sirius radio.
The Giants had about $15.7 million worth of salary cap space going into today, and the cuts cleared several million more. All of which points to a big play for Bears linebacker Lance Briggs. But the hole at left tackle also foretells some other major doings on the free agent front.
Things got interesting real fast, with more to come.
Are you guys as shocked as I am?
Ciao for now.
This entry was posted
on Monday, February 12th, 2007 at 6:49 pm by Ernie Palladino. 
Print
| 
Email
Ernie Palladino
i really honestly like all moves except one luke pettigout. i was so shocked. im calling this a bad move. the others where great as long as we sighn a linebacker to step in there.
Stunned that Luke was cut..Emmons was a no brainer and I figured Arrington may go…..good moves..but Petitgout stuns me. They can’t go with a (Guy) like Whimper who has never played. Maybe Diehl stays at LT?? They better go out and buy a Left tackle…ouch
Like Ernie, I have no shock at all about Emmons. He clearly had lost it. Carl Banks even said on radio (a good line, actually) that he couldn’t understand why Emmons was hurt so often…because he never saw him hit anyone.
Arrington…a surprise. He didn’t get big money to sign with the Giants either, unless I’m mistaken. I thought he’d get another shot, and maybe they still might bring him back.
Luke Pettigout…having perhaps his best season before the injury. But he was making big bucks and might have been due to get a lot more in ‘07. I wouldn’t be surprised if this cut was a business strategy, and that the Giants want to re-sign him soon, but for substantially less money.
when i first saw the news, i was surprised at how quickly jerry reese was making his mark on the team. emmons was an obvious choice. petitgout was playing well, but i continue to have that bad taste in my mouth from his lack of discipline and false starts a few years ago. however, can’t deny the fact that eli was playing much better when luke was blocking his left side. i kinda feel for arrington because he was very media friendly and had lots of enthusiasm. too bad he got injured.
wow, now these cuts add even more major starting holes on the giants. LT, RB, LB, CB, C. this is going to be an interesting off-season. hopefully, somehow they can pry briggs from the bears.
can they resign Pettigout at a lower amount?
they can swithc Diel to LT, use Seubert in his spot, and sign O’Hara..That basically was there line at the end.
Whitfield should deifnitely be let go also.
Stuart:
They certainly can try to sign Petitgout again at a lower price. But it didn’t sound like they wanted to. Could be afraid of his back problems, an on-going issue for years.
Arrington’s problem has been his head not a tendon. He STILL Thinks he’s all pro. He’s not worth 49 over 7.
With these subtractions what is the Giant cap room??
I guess the line will be; Diehl(LT) Seubert (LG) Ohara©Snee (RG) and McKenzie (RT).
How is this line??? They need to get some depth….
Stuart:
Giants now have just over $21 million of cap room, (they saved about $6 million with the cuts and retirements) enough to make a good run at Lance Briggs. The line worries me, though. Diehl is a natural guard who held his own at left tackle for a short period. Don’t know if I’d want him there over the long run. But there’s not much in free agency, unless somebody shakes loose in some other teams’ cuts.
They can get Briggs and at least 1 other stud with that money…
They need OL help else they will need to draft a lineman in the first or 2nd round and they still need a RB, CB, etc…
SHould make your job more interesting…I also assume that the back and his age 30 + made him too much of a risk.. If they do not sign O’Hara then they will need 2 new starters on the O line, that is alot…
Ernie thanks for the input….
Football statistics aren’t really my area of expertise, but it seemed like Luke Petigout was horrendous with false start penalties. Maybe he was an iron wall, but he was an iron wall cost the team about 100 penalty yards a season.
Chris,
For a long time, Luke was notorious for “holding” calls, but I think the false starts were mostly in ‘05.
Whitfield retired yesterday, too—probably a day before he was gonna be cut, anyway. Or head-butted. And as predicted, Tim Carter is also on the bubble.
I left myself some wiggle room above, but I guess I was incorrect on Arrington’s money. I had remembered a big signing bonus, but I thought the yearly salary was fairly reasonable, but with a lot of incentives built in.