The Carolina Panthers launched the Kawann Short for the Pro Bowl twice after eight seasons, the team announced on Tuesday.
Short spent his entire career in the NFL in Carolina. He impressed at the beginning of his tenure, reaching two Pro Bowls in his first six seasons and winning a five-year contract extension in 2017. But after making his second appearance in the Pro Bowl in 2018, Short played in just five games in the past two seasons due to recurring shoulder problems.
The Panthers, feeling the pressure of the projected minimum limit due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, opted to separate from Short and assume the dead limit of $ 11 million. Now, as a 32-year-old free agent, Short will have to accept less money than he did in Carolina if he wants to play on a new team.
This brings us to the urgent question: should giants be interested in shorts?
An important plus point for Short is his connection with Giants general manager Dave Gettleman. When Short was called up for the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he became a member of the first recruiting class of then-GM Panthers Dave Gettleman – a year in which Gettleman invested heavily on the defensive front. So there is a story shared between Gettleman and Short.
Gettleman is an important factor to consider when he enters his fourth year with the Giants. In each of their first three seasons in New York, the Giants have never recorded more than six wins. Gettleman is under pressure to get the Giants back on their winning track – and fast.
That said, the Giants’ defensive line was undoubtedly the team’s greatest strength in terms of production and impact last season. The Giants were 12th in the league in yards allowed per game with 349.3 and 10th in running yards allowed per game with 111.4. The New York defense, highlighted by the defensive line, used to be the reason the Giants remained competitive in the games.
With the growing success and momentum of the Giants defensive line, it may be risky to introduce a new player into the mix. The current line of Dalvin Tomlinson, Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence developed clear chemistry and cohesion in the field.
Tomlinson and Williams are set to become free agents, which means that Short could intervene as a potential replacement. Williams, who played for the franchise brand last season, will draw attention when it hits the open market. He recorded career records for a quarterback streak with 30 and 11.5 sacks last season, the last the first double-digit sack season of his career and a big jump from the half sack he recorded in 2019. For those reasons , Williams will be expensive, regardless of whether the Giants decide to keep it or not.
The salary cap is important to keep in mind, as it is projected to be lower next season. Based on a projected space limit of $ 180.5 million per Over the Cap, the Giants are in 20th place in the league, with $ 1.3 million of space available. The position of the salary cap could be worse, but it is still tight.
For that reason, it may be worth pursuing Short, because he may be a cheaper alternative to Tomlinson.
Once again, however, Tomlinson had a very strong 2020 campaign. He set career records for tackles by losing with 21 and quarterback strikes with 20. He matched his sack high with 3.5, which was established for the first time in 2019. He is also 26, compared with 32 for Short .
So should Tomlinson, a young player who seems to be on the rise in his career, be replaced by Short?
When Short was healthy, he was one of the Panthers’ most prolific players in defense. He recorded 280 combined tackles, including 167 solo, 32.5 sacks and 88 quarterback strikes in his eight seasons in the league. But he has only played five games in the past two seasons. Chasing Short means betting on your past talent, as opposed to recent success, which can be risky.
For me, Tomlinson had an impact on the defense of the Giants that goes beyond the numbers. Not only did he present prolific statistics, but he also showed strength by attacking the nose of the line, attracting several blockers in each move. He’s an important part of what made the Giants’ defensive line a success and I see no reason to mess with it right now.
However, if the salary cap becomes a problem, Short’s injuries will reduce his salary considerably, making him a stronger and cheaper alternative. But I think the Giants should bet on one of their own when it comes to their already strong defensive line.