Pat Shurmur explains the approach of the independent Giants agency



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PHOENIX – There is a theme in the way giants have approached the free mode. The player's knowledge and experience were not prerequisites, but it was useful and, in this case, three players were engaged and have already played for the defensive coordinator James Bettcher.

In the past, free agencies worked more gradually. There was a call to express his interest. A visit was planned. Dinner, presentations, discussion on football. One side was able to feel the other. Nowadays, a phone call and a contract can arrive quickly and without interpersonal communication. Beware, in many cases.

The Giants hired three former Cardinals – goaltender Antoine Bethea, linebacker Markus Golden and defensive lineman Olsen Pierre – who all played for Bettcher in Arizona.

"The free agency has changed," said coach Pat Shurmur this week at the NFL's annual league meetings. "There are no visits and a process of knowledge. The business is done. You bring them and the last step is to pass a physical. The players we have worked with, those for whom we have what we believe to be very good information could be among the top items. Everything comes back to football. You can not pretend. We have to see them on film and see them do it. Then you add the personality on the backend. "

Shurmur worked with offensive lineman Mike Remmers in 2017 in Minnesota, and here Remmers came to visit during this period of free agency after his release by the Vikings. It is possible that Remmers, 29, comes on board to face Chad Wheeler on the right. There is actually a double connection. Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman signed Remmers when he was with the Panthers.

"Mike came to us, he's a tough guy," said Shurmur. "He would go to our offensive line room. I had the chance to see him when he visited us. He played the guard and he played the tackle. He helped us in our NFC championship year. I appreciate a lot when he can play as a player. "

The appreciation of the Giants players he inherited is something that Shurmur did not have in abundance at the same time last year because he was hired as head coach and had to get himself familiarize with his new environment on the fly. Almost immediately, he had to study the list and help determine who would stay and who would show the door. He tried to build relationships and learn what made his players thrill. It took a long time.

Antoine Bethea
Antoine BetheaSportswire icon via Getty Images

A year later, Shurmur is in his second off-season with players who do not need to be introduced to the responsible man.

"I think for me, I just know better our players and I have a more intimate knowledge of our players," Shurmur said. "I remember that time, a year ago, we were trying to find out if [Ereck] The flowers were in the future. I have a clear picture of our team and I greatly appreciate these guys. I understand more about players on an individual basis and have learned to motivate and inspire them more individually than collectively. "

Bettcher is one step ahead of Bethea, Golden and Stone, players who match what the Giants are trying to do in defense. Bettcher has transferred his system from Glendale, Arizona, to East Rutherford, New Jersey, and the three new giants should be able to take off.

"It's important," said Shurmur. "We are talking about it as a diet adjustment. More than a diet when coaches work with a player, you know him more intimately as a player. It could help us decide if we like a guy.

"I do not know of a better player, but if you have more information about a person, you know how she reacts to adversity. Whenever you know more about a player, it helps you with the evaluation. "

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