The New York Giants have made a number of personnel moves this offseason and now they have added another player to their roster ahead of Tuesday's free agent signing day, as they have brought in former Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins on a three-year contract.
According to ESPN.com and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, sources said that Jenkins signed a three-year deal that is worth $8 million and that he will have a $2 million signing bonus and $3 million in guaranteed money. Jenkins was reported as visiting the Giants last week and that there were interested teams in the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
Jenkins was with the NFC East-rival Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons before being cut two weeks ago after a disappointing year and will now have a chance to rebound in New York. Jenkins spent the beginning of his career with the Packers before coming to the Eagles on a five-year, $25 million deal the same year Vince Young called them the "Dream Team".
The Eagles finished 8-8 wand 4-12 the past two seasons and Jenkins will likely take the place of Chris Canty, who the Giants cut along with Michael Boley and Ahmad Bradshaw to save cap space last month. The team missed the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in 2011 and has tried to upgrade a defense that ranked in the bottom of the NFL last year.
Jenkins is 32-years-old and had nearly 10 sacks over his past two season in Philadelphia, which came after his first seven seasons in Green Bay. He has 38.5 sacks in 125 career games and joins a formidable rotation the Giants have with Linval Joseph, Shaun Rogers, Marvin Austin and Markus Kuhn.
The Giants have ha issues stopping the run over the past two seasons, especially at the end of this past year. Jenkins will help solidify the first line of defense for a unit that ranked 25th in the league after allowing over 120 rush yards per game.
New York already signed Will Beatty to a five-year contract and has a number of other free agents to address, including Andre Brown, Stevie Brown, Martellus Bennett, Victor Cruz as well as Chase Blackburn. The team has needs at linebacker, cornerback and offensive line, but after brining in Jenkins, the defensive line will be stronger next season
