Michael Lombardi, the longtime NFL manager turned analyst, knows how the system works and how it should work.
In a recent post in The Athletic, Lombardi talks about his favorite – and least favorite – moves in free agency this year. One of his least favorite is (you guessed it) the New York Giants signing of cornerback Adoree Jackson, who signed Big Blue for a $ 39 million three-year deal this week.
I thought it was great that Jackson was from USC. His speed and ball skills turned him into a corner kick that could turn defense into an attack. However, in the past two seasons, he played in just 14 games, played little with the ball, and lacked the return skills he had shown in college. I would love the Giants if they paid a modest salary and bet Jackson will return to the game with a passion and more sustainability. But the Giants paid him like a big starter, with guaranteed money as he did very little for the past two seasons. Who were the teams the Giants competed against to acquire Jackson? The Titans know Jackson well, they desperately need corners of cover, and they walked away from the contract. What does that say?
Good points. The Giants are changing everything from the culture to their processes. They are moving from a top-heavy organization where ownership and front office rule with a heavy hand to one where the people closest to the field (Joe Judge) have more say over human resources.
In this case, Jackson is seen as a redeemable asset whose best days as an NFL player are ahead of him. Most Giant fans are guessing this signing now, but trust Judge’s judgment in this and and in others.
Lombardi’s point is that this is not the same as the other moves the Giants have made recently. This in a non ‘low risk, high reward’ situation due to the huge guarantees in Jackson’s contract.