The Giants have struggled at times the last few years in the secondary, having a tendency to give up big plays and to let mediocre quarterbacks like Rex Grossman and Matt Moore pick them apart. Injuries and bad schemes have been partially to blame, and poor execution has been a problem as well. But the bottom line is that the safety position is one that the Giants can afford to beef up a bit. Deon Grant is a free agent and may not return. So taking a look at the Jets' Jim Leonhard might be a good idea.
Of course, Leonhard is not flashy and and he won't put up big defensive stats. In 2011, though he missed three games due to injury, Leonhard had 48 tackles and one interception. But he also forced a fumble and broke up six passes. Somehow, Leonhard often finds his way to the ball the way the Giants' LB Chase Blackburn does, and that is a good thing. He also is valuable as a return man, something the Giants are always in need of even if Domenik Hixon reclaims that job.
It remains to be seen how much money Leonhard would command as a free agent, but the fact that he will turn 30 this year and his proneness to injury may lower his asking price.
The other things to consider are whether or not Terrell Thomas comes all the way back to reclaim his starting corner spot, and if free agent Aaron Ross is re-signed. That, along with the development of Prince Amukamara, would crowd the corner position and relegate Ross to possible safety duty again.
There are a lot of ifs here, but my feeling is always that you can never have enough backup players in the secondary. The fact that the Giants have had a revolving door to the infirmary for those players these last few seasons has made that situation what it is. So would Jim Leonhard be a good addition? I am a firm maybe, and now I'll let you guys debate this....