Last Tuesday night marked the premiere of a new edition of Hard Knocks, this time featuring the New York Giants. This season is distinct as it covers the Giants throughout the offseason, focusing on roster assembly rather than the typical training camp or season footage. This perspective provides a rare glimpse into the discussions of general managers and front office personnel about player evaluations, traditionally seen only from coaches’ perspectives.
The season kicks off with the early offseason activities, including free agency, detailing how the Giants made their decisions. Notably, the Giants considered pursuing Tony Pollard if his price dropped. Chris Rossetti, the Giants’ director of pro scouting, discussed their considerations at running back, mentioning Pollard, formerly with the Cowboys and now with the Tennessee Titans.
Rossetti commented on Pollard’s capabilities, noting his versatility and decisive running but mentioning that he isn’t a power back. The Giants would have considered Pollard if his price had significantly decreased. Pollard eventually signed a 3-year, $24M deal with the Titans. It’s unclear if this price was too high for the Giants or if the Titans simply outbid them.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, did not sign any free agents for the running back position, opting to bring back Ezekiel Elliott. They were briefly linked to names like A.J. Dillon and Zack Moss, but price concerns, particularly with Moss, were a deciding factor. Rossetti praised Moss for his early-down running and pass protection skills, highlighting his strengths despite his lack of dynamism.
This behind-the-scenes look at the Giants’ decision-making process offers intriguing insights into how teams evaluate and pursue players, shedding light on why the Cowboys let Tony Pollard walk due to perceived high costs.
