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| Photo: New York Daily News |
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY
The Baltimore Ravens released veteran offensive tackle Eugene Monroe on Wednesday, and the New York Giants are moving fast to sign him according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
The Giants have been trying to bolster their offensive, specifically the right tackle position, all offseason with no success, but their fortunes could finally be changing.
Monroe is a former first round pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars out of the University of Virginia. He signed a five year, $37 million contract with the Ravens in 2014 after the Jaguars traded him to Baltimore midway through the 2013 season. However, since signing the deal, Monroe has only appeared in 17 games over two seasons for the Ravens, and the team has been anxious to move him. Prior to Monroe's release, the Ravens and Giants had been discussing a trade to bring the 29-year-old to New York, but the Giants weren't interested in paying the $20 million over three years left on his contract, so Baltimore was forced to cut their losses.
Monroe certainly comes with some baggage. He hasn't played a full season since 2012. He's also been an outspoken advocate for the legalization of marijuana in the NFL, for medicinal purposes, something for which he believes the Ravens were punishing him. Monroe tweeted the following last week:
Putting his issues aside, the reward of signing Monroe could outweigh the risk in this situation. With his recent struggles, Monroe won't be able to command huge money on the open market, and the Giants would definitely see him as an upgrade over Marshall Newhouse, who is currently slated to start at right tackle. Assuming they could sign him cheap, the Giants would have nothing to lose and everything to gain by adding an athletic, veteran tackle to their questionable offensive line.
The Giants could have addressed the hole in their in April's NFL Draft, but they passed on the opportunity. Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil, believed by many scouts to be the best player in the entire draft, began slipping in the first round after video of him smoking marijuana was released on social media just moments before the draft began. He was their for the taking at #10 with the Giants on the clock, but New York chose Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple instead. Tunsil was finally drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 13th overall pick.
Monroe is a native of Plainfield, New Jersey and appears to be a natural fit for the Giants. NFL sources familiar with the situation told the New York Daily News there is a "decent chance" he will land with Big Blue, though the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks are reportedly interested in his services as well.
Thus far in 2016, the Giants have spent over $200 million in offseason acquisitions, mostly on defense, to improve the club, but the offensive line has remained a question mark. Now, with the offseason drawing to close, they may have found the final piece to a puzzle that leads them back to the postseason.
