As the free agent signing period begins, let's take a look at one more player the Giants should or may be interested in--Falcons' middle linebacker Curtis Lofton. Lofton has really become expendable now that the Falcons signed Lofa Tatupu, and while Tampa Bay is pursuing Lofton aggressively and the Giants have indicated that they would like to keep Jonathan Goff as their starting MLB, there is no question that Lofton should at least be considered by Jerry Reese and his staff.
Lofton is a tackling machine, with total tackles (tackles plus assists) in his first three seasons reading like this--133, 118, 147. And in 2011, Lofton had a sack, two interceptions including one for a touchdown, a forced fumble and seven passes defensed. The guy is a play maker in the middle, and maybe most importantly for the G-men is that he hasn't missed a game in his first three seasons.
The Giants' run defense in 2011 was not bad, but a healthy and dependable run-stuffer like Lofton is probably on Reese's radar, whether he admits that publicly or not. Goff is expected back to fill the MLB spot, but since he missed all of last season, his durability has to be in question. In addition, Chase Blackburn may not return, and Greg Jones had a shaky rookie campaign when called upon to start on defense (yeah, yeah, know I pimped that guy hard!).
So will Lofton be an option for the Giants? Will they make an offer? I am guessing they won't, or that the Bucs or some other team will snap him up quickly, but most of the free agent picture is still a blank canvass right now.