April 15, 2005
Defensive end on the way
A lot of Giants fans are crying about the need to draft a defensive end. That's why I wrote about Justin Tuck yesterday. But Accorsi is not specifically targeting defensive ends in the draft:
With the 43rd overall pick -- a spot Accorsi said will net the Giants the same "quality of athlete" as a late first-round selection -- the team will most likely address depth concerns at cornerback, running back or the defensive line.I haven't heard any guesses yet about who is likely to be released after June 1. I hope to hear more about that soon. Posted by James Trotta at April 15, 2005 3:05 AMDefensive end is a dangerously thin spot right now. Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora are the starters, but behind them are Claude Harriott and former Rutgers lineman Raheem Orr, who have been active for a combined two regular-season games in their short careers.
For the importance of depth at the position, see last season when Strahan and Keith Washington were lost for the year to knee injuries in the same game. After that week, the Giants defense was never the same.
"We're not done yet there," said Accorsi, who said there are some ends he expects to be released on June 1.