While the New York Giants lack significant depth on the offensive line, John Jerry presents a some-what serviceable option in case of injury.
Jerry had an abysmal performance in 2017 after restructuring his deal to take a massive pay-cut. Originally, former general manager Jerry Reese signed the offensive lineman to a three-year, $10 million deal. This type of contract was the reason the Giants had little to no cap-space last season.
The Giants were able to re-do his deal to offer only $3.6 million in 2018 and scratch the entire ’19 season off the books. The primary question is: Do the Giants cut him this offseason and save $1.75 million, or do they keep him and utilize his services as a reserve linaman.
What’s Jerry’s top strength?
The Giants’ lineman is a solid pass-blocker but struggles immensely in run-blocking. He has been working with the second string team in mini-camp and OTAs thus far, as Patrick Omameh and second-round draft pick Will Hernandez have supplanted Jerry and Pugh at guard.
With John Greco playing well and earning first-team reps, Jerry has lost his spot as a starter on the team, but could play a role if kept on the team. With a lack of depth at guard, it might be best to retain him as his dead cap is two-thirds of his salary cap hit.
The most enticing aspect of Jerry is his durability, as he has played in every game in five of the six seasons he’s featured in the NFL. He finished the 2017 season as an average lineman, allowing just 1.5 sacks. There’s no doubt that he can have his moments of quality, but his inability to consistent is a major downfall in his game that could subsequently get him cut at the end of the day.
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Only as a backup I hope because if he starts that means another bad year… JJ is a bum as a starter…..