Smith has Happy Feet

GLOW pic.twitter.com/NUGkKDDKPr

— Geno (@GenoSmith7) March 23, 2017

Geno Smith Signs with the Giants

bleacherreport.com

Previous Jets quarterback, Geno Smith, is now a New York Giant.  The Giants picked up Smith during free agency and signed him to a 1 year 2 million dollar deal.

Smith was drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.  His time with the Jets has been hit or miss, playing only 3 games since the start of the 2015 season.  A locker room squabble with former teammate, Ik Enemkpali caused him to miss the 2015 season after Smith's jaw was fractured in two places; a torn ACL plagued him during the 2016 season.  

He has a career total of 5,962 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and 7 rushing touchdowns.  

Geno will have to beat out Josh Johnson for the 2nd spot behind Eli Manning. 

Geno Smith via @Giants on signing with Big Blue: pic.twitter.com/qAGuMKU28f

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 20, 2017

JPP vs ESPN - Settled

After the infamous fireworks incident in 2015, which caused significant injury to JPP’s left hand, ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted Pierre Paul’s medical records on social media.  This lead up to JPP filing a lawsuit against the network, claiming that it violated his privacy and Florida’s Medical Confidentiality Law.

ESPN is confident that they did not violate JPP’s privacy and their reporting on the injury was journalistically appropriate.  And although the two sides could not agree, ESPN announced on Friday that they’ve decided to settle the lawsuit harmoniously.  The trial was set for August.

JPP is a free agent with hopes of attaining a major contract this year.  

UPDATE: JPP Awaits a BIG Pay Day

 

Free agency is upon us. That means we're discussing JPP.  Only this time, Pierre-Paul will not settle for another one year deal.

According to Bleacher Report, Pierre-Paul told reporters, “I’m not signing another one year deal. I've proved it, I've showed it. There's not another guy like me doing it with seven and a half fingers.”

Sources say he is looking for a contract similar to the big pay day Olivier Vernon received in free agency last year. JPP ranked 13th amongst all edge rushers this season with Vernon trailing one spot behind him.

He had 53 tackles and seven sacks in 12 games this season. He missed the last four games after developing a hernia, but came back to play the Packers in the wildcard round. 

Looks like Pierre-Paul will stayed geared-up in big blue for a while.  He has come to terms with the New York Giants on 4 year, 62 million dollar contract with 40 million guaranteed and a 20 million dollar signing bonus.  He will receive 49.5 million over other first 3 years with 34 million in the first 11 months.  

UPDATE - NY Giants: Can Vernon Live up to Expectations

tagthebird.com

New York Giants fans are itching to find out what Olivier Vernon can do for this defense that has been in need of some major improvements over the last few years. Pro-Football Reference ranked them 30th in all team defense last season.

Drafted by the Dolphins in 2012, the Giants acquired Vernon during this year's free agency and gave him a huge payday.  He contracted 85 million over five years with 52.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

According to the New York Post, Vernon has been seen doing extra drills well after practice has ended.  Could it be because he knows he's under pressure this season?  I think it's just in his nature to work hard since he displayed this kind of work ethic while in Miami too.

When told about all the pressure he would be under this upcoming season, he simply said, "I'd be a fool not to believe that.  As long as I stick to my game plan, i'll be alright."

As we approach the season's halfway point, some will debate as to whether or not Vernon is living up to his contract. With just 1 sack recorded this season, during a week 3 loss to the Washington Redskins, many will say he's not.  He brings on a lot of pressure and is not bad at stopping the run, but I'm sure the front office was hoping he'd perform much like his 2013 season with the Miami Dolphins.  He recorded 11.5 sacks that season; now that's more like it.  

I'd like to stay optimistic but it's hard to do when the defense currently ranks 19th overall.  They allow an average of 20 points per game and 361 total yards.  Not bad from where they were last year, but not good enough, considering the money spent.