FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 08/25, 05:54 PM
Strahan isn't the answer. Do you really think Osi getting hurt suddenly changes Strahan's decision to retire? Of course not.

Yes, there are reports out there that "unnamed sources" have claimed Strahan would come back for $8mil. A ridiculous sum to pay for a guy who has repeatedly said he is happy with retired life and has not wavered in his decision. If those reports are true, he's just taking advantage of the teams situation and holding them hostage for another big payday. Not the actions of a man whose heart is in playing again.

The Giants have other options, and enough depth that they don't have to be taken advantage of by an aging player who doesn't really want to play anymore. They've already moved Kiwanuka back to DE. While he's no Strahan, he's also no scrub. Mathias can handle the position quite well. How they replace him at LB might be an issue, but remember, this is a very deep team that thrived last year despite several injuries because they draft for depth.

The Giants have a few different options, but overpaying an out of shape Strahan who has been sipping Mai Tai's on various beaches around the world the last couple of months isn't the best of them.

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 08/25, 06:19 PM
Why are you comparing Kiwanuka's stats as a linebacker to Strahan's as a DE?

And why are you comparing stats of a player who only played in 10 games to one who played in all 16?

Neither makes any sense.

How about we compare apples to apples, instead?

As a rookie DE in 2006 Kiwanuka started just 9 games compared to Strahans 15 starts last year. In 2006 Mathias had 44 tackles from the position compared to Strahans 46 last year, despite much less playing time. He had just 4 sacks, but that is in only 9 starts. He also had two picks and two forced fumbles compared to none for Michael. Kiwanuka is NOT a huge dropoff from Strahan. He was moved to LB because of the depth NY had at DE last year. That depth has diminished so moving him back to DE makes sense.

You can't compare last year to this year where his shape is concerned. Last year was an entirely different situation as he was wavering on whether or not to retire but was keeping in top shape while weighing his options.

This year he was firm on the decision to hang them up and has spent the off season living the good life, not conditioning and working out. You really think an out of shape Strahan would be game ready in a week?

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 08/26, 05:38 PM
A month of working out takes them 3 games deep into the season, just to get into shape. And if it's that simple why do teams bother with annoying things like mandatory workouts, OTS's, mini camps, training camp, and pre-season games?

Even if Strahan or another DE is signed, Kiwanuka is going to remain at DE. The coaching staff has already made that decision. It's his natural position and where he is most equipped to help the team. He was ONLY moved to LB last year because Spagnuola wanted his best players on the field at the same time. He wasn't moved because they needed another LB.

The Giants are NOT weak at LB.

Danny Clark is a 9 year vet signed in the off season. He'll be taking over strong side LB with Gerris Wilkinson taking over on the weak side. With Spagnuola's schemes the Giants will be fine with this arrangement. They can grab another LB for depth purposes once cuts start.

Could Strahan help the Giants this year? Of course. Is he their best option at this point? No. Are they so desperate that they should give him the kings ransom of $8mil he wants? Absolutely not.

The man doesn't want to play.