The New York Giants have been one of the most successful teams in football over the past decade, as they are the only franchise in football to win two Super Bowl titles, and they improved themselves for the 2013 season, bringing in Brandon Myers and Dan Connor.
According to ESPN.com, tight end Brandon Myers has signed with the team after becoming a free agent from the Oakland Raiders. The report says that Myers visited with the Giants on Saturday and both sides felt things went right, with the team giving him a contract soon after. Myers had a breakout season with the Raiders and will replace Martellus Bennett, who signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Bears after having a breakout year himself.
The Giants also bolstered their defense over the weekend, bringing in linebacker Dan Connor from the rival Dallas Cowboys. It was one of a number of moves the Giants made over the past few days, adding to the signing of wide receiver Louis Murphy, who is expected to replace Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon as a third or fourth receiver. Murphy signed a one-year deal, as did Connor.
"I'm definitely excited. When you join an organization like the Giants it's a great opportunity and I'm excited to be here and to get started," Myers said, according to the team's website.
Myers had a surprisingly productive season with the Raiders, making 79 catches for 806 yards and four touchdowns last season from Carson Palmer, who completed over 70 percent of his passes to the tight end. Bennett made 55 catches and turned his breakout year into a long-term contract after starting his career with the Cowboys. Myers has size and speed at 6-foot-4 and 250-pounds.
"The opportunity to play in New York, to play on a big stage and to win ballgames, that's what you strive for as a player -- to be in contention to make the playoffs," Myers said, according to the team's website. "I had a pretty good feeling this was going to work out. I'm excited and I'm ready to get to work."
The team added Connor in a one-year deal to bolster the linebacker unit after cutting Michael Boley last month to help save salary cap room and he could replace Chase Blackburn, who is a free agent. The team also re-signed Keith Rivers and also has Mark Herzlich on the roster. The Giants have concentrated on mid-to-low level personnel moves, including bringing in Josh Brown, Cullen Jenkins and Aaron Ross. The team also could add Charles Woodson to help with the safeties.
The team still has Victor Cruz and his contract to work out, but adding Murphy will bring depth to the position. Murphy is a quick target and was drafted from Florida in 2009, making 41 catches for 609 yards while with the Raiders in 2010. The 27-year-old Connor was drafted out of Penn State and he has played for both the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. The owners are worried after there were rumors that the Colts might make an offer, but so far nothing has come of it.
The New York Giants had a mediocre season after winning the Super Bowl after the 2011 campaign and have concentrated on adding more depth to the defense. The team went 9-7 and missed the playoffs, but the season on a high note by beating the Eagles 42-7. The team would like to get back to the playoffs after missing out just one year after their Super Bowl championship.
