New York Giants: Should Team Re-sign Stevie Brown?

By Nafisa H | Apr 6, 2015

The New York Giants have yet to address their need at safety this off-season. They reportedly are still speaking with Stevie Brown but both sides haven’t reached an agreement. There are several things that could be preventing the Giants from re-signing Brown despite him being the team’s best defensive back at one point in time.

In his first year with the Giants in 2012, Brown had a breakout season leading the team in interceptions and passes defensed as well as being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice. He recorded eight interceptions and defended 11 passes that season according to Giants.com. Brown missed the entire 2013 season recovering from a torn ACL which occurred in the preseason. He returned to the Giants in 2014 but his level of play decreased drastically.

More from New York Giants

Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) and strong safety Stevie Brown (27) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

During his breakout season in 2012, Stevie Brown had a 71.3 passer rating against. In 2014, Pro Football Focus graded Brown with a passer rating of 152.6. Furthermore, after recording eight interceptions and defending eleven passes in 2012, Stevie Brown had just one pass defended and zero interceptions in 2014, also according to Giants.com.

The decrease in Brown’s level of play has to be of concern to the New York Giants. While his lack of production could be attributed to him missing the entire 2013 season after tearing his ACL there’s no guarantee that Brown will be back to full strength and health this upcoming season. In fact, he’s still recovering from offseason surgery after injuring his left foot in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In addition to concerns about Stevie Brown’s level of play and health, money certainly factors into things. Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports that after failing to sign any high-caliber safeties during free agency,the New York Giants aren’t interested in over-paying for mediocre free agents. While Stevie Brown was at one point an elite safety, his performance recently has been anything but.

Considering the fact that the Giants aren’t willing to offer much money to any of the remaining free agent safeties, they’re most likely going to aim to add depth at the safety position through the 2015 NFL draft. However, this will be difficult since this year’s draft class is thin at safety.

Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants strong safety Nat Berhe (34) and outside linebacker Devon Kennard (59) tackle New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants won 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

One huge advantage that Brown offers the Giants is experience as a NFL starter. At the moment, the New York Giants do not have a safety on their roster that has started an NFL game. Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor are good safeties but have no experience as starters. The presence of a veteran safety that has started NFL games and played at a high level is important.

While there isn’t any guarantee that Stevie Brown will return to being a high-caliber safety, I believe the New York Giants should re-sign him (given that he passes a physical, of course) and at least give him the opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster. After all, competition breeds success.

What do you think, Giants fans? Voice your opinion below!

Next: New York Giants Offense Set to Explode in 2015

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/New York Giants