The Lede: Marshall the Giant

Don’t have time to read through 1,000 words, but need some informed betting tips? Here’s a quick rundown on today’s biggest sports story, and how it impacts the way you should bet. Miss yesterday’s? See it here.

Brandon Marshall Signs with the Giants

The NFL’s legal tampering period has opened, and the New York Giants got off to a quick start, signing veteran pass-catcher Brandon Marshall. The former Jet will continue playing his home games at MetLife Stadium for the next two years, receiving $12 million to change jersey colors. The addition gives Eli Manning and the Giants a big-bodied receiver who can work the middle of the field and make teams pay for doubling Odell Beckham Jr.

Is this the acquisition that puts the G-Men over the top? Not really. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great move. The team gets a talented receiver who still has a lot left in the tank. Plus, Marshall generally excels in a new atmosphere, averaging 1,341 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his first season after switching teams (which he’s done three times previously). But New York still has areas of need, some that were more pressing than a WR2.

Ereck Flowers has been horrible at left tackle, and the rest of the O-line isn’t anything to write home about. The Giants need to provide Manning with better protection this season, which likely means replacing at least two offensive linemen. I’m not saying this won’t happen, just that it still needs to, and they don’t have much cap space. I also won’t be fully on the Giants’ bandwagon until their aging quarterback proves he’s still capable of shouldering the load (once in a while.)

So even though the Giants got better today, I would advise waiting to see what else Jerry Reese does in free agency before jumping on Eli and co. for Super Bowl LII.