New York Giants Re-Build Begins With Bills DNA

Wednesday, newly minted New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen began a major overhaul of the team's less than stellar roster. Schoen set about chopping some of the unproductive salaries left by his predecessor Dave Gettleman. The moves by the former Buffalo Bills executive initiated the beginning steps of his ultimate blue-print for his new team.

Unlike Gettleman, Schoen and his group of qualified lieutenants appear to have a real step-by-step plan. That is amazing and very exciting news for the fanbase. Some of the first steps took place on just the second day of March. According to a report by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants will release tight end Kyle Rudolph. Gettleman signed Rudolph last season for 2-years for $12 million. The tight end came with an existing foot injury that needed surgery. He ended up catching 26 passes and had a touchdown. Rudolph’s release saves the Giants $5 million on the 2022 salary cap and will count $2.4 million in dead money. Dead money is a good term for the entire contract.

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“The reality of the situation is we have to get under the cap,” Schoen told nypost.com. “We’re over the cap right now. It’s the contingency plans. Literally we have A, B, C, D, E and you gotta wait for the first shoe to fall before you make the next decision.” That seems like steps to a plan that Schoen is familiar with, possibly the one he was involved with in building the AFC powerhouse, Buffalo Bills.

The Giants also are making another cut in running back Devontae Booker after only one year. Unlike Rudolph, I thought Booker earned his money last year but this is a completely understandable move with the Giants salary cap nightmare. Booker was scheduled to count $3.1 million on the cap and his release saves $2.1 million on the 2022 cap.

It is not surprising that Schoen and his trusty head coach, former Bills offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll will meticulously take apart this roster and rebuild the franchise. It seems clear that their confidence in the ultimate success of Daniel Jones is not too high at the moment or the news of not picking up his 5th year option wouldn't have hit the media, as quickly as it did. That move makes sense. Schoen and Daboll want to raise the talent level of their quarterback, like they had in western New York.

There was speculation on ESPN that Mitch Trubisky could end up with the Giants to compete with Jones for the starting job this summer. Trubisky played for Schoen and Daboll with the Bills last year. He knows Daboll's offense. Now they have to make cap space. There is a plan. Maybe one that has already worked in the State of New York. Now will see if it plays in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium.