Ryan Mundy Signing: New York Giants to ink free-agent safety

The New York Giants have agreed to a contract with free-agent safety Ryan Mundy, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal would appear to signal that the Giants are expecting free-agent safety Kenny Phillips, a Giant since being a first-round draft pick in 2007, to sign elsewhere.

Mundy, 28, has been a reserve safety behind Ryan Clark and Troy Palomalu in Pittsburgh, with the only three starts of his career coming in 2012. He played 292 defensive snaps in 2012, with Pro Football Focus grading him at -3.5 (-3.5 vs. run, -0.3 vs. pass). In 2011, he played 282 snaps, grading at -0.3 overall (+2.2 vs. run, -1.8 vs. pass).

Here is what the scouting report from ESPN's Scouts Inc. says on the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Mundy:

Mundy is a good combination of size, strength and athleticism. He is a physical run support player and a solid tackler filling the alley. He has excellent vision and reacts quickly as plays unfold. Mundy understands angles and leverages the ball well as both a run and pass defender. He doesnt have great speed and ability to close but runs well and shows range to overlap zones.

Neal Coolong, editor of SB Nation's Steelers web site, Behind The Steel Curtain, won't be upset to see the 2008 sixth-round draft choice leave the black and gold:

"Was fined for hits last one (one on Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Raiders sent him off the field in a stretcher, I think we have GIFs of it somewhere). Odd, considering he's not known for delivering big hits, he just hits guys in the head frequently. Not out of intimidation, but seems more like stupidity.

"Shouldn't be considered a viable starting option, career back-up. Better against the run, struggles in deep coverage.

"Mundy started in place of Ryan Clark in the Steelers' Week 1 loss in Denver - Clark has a blood condition that affects him negatively in high altitudes, and has not played in Denver since 2009, I believe. Then he started for Troy Polamalu in Weeks 3 and 5 (bye week in 4), I think it was. The Steelers were savaged in the air against Denver and Oakland, then again against Tennessee in Week 6.

"Eventually he was replaced by Will Allen in the starting lineup, and with Mundy on the bench, and Polamalu out for most of the season, the Steelers shut down some of the better passers in the game. Mundy barely saw the field except on special teams after that, and wasn't expected back this season.

"I can think of no connection to any coach among the Giants, and while he can be signed for pretty much the minimum, he's not a serviceable player for an extended period of time. Carson Palmer picked Pittsburgh's Polamalu-less (like that alliteration??) apart, Mundy was a big reason why that happened.

"We won't bat an eyelash over his loss. For your sake, Ed, I hope he doesn't have to see the field."