The New York Giants are a team known for acquiring talent then retaining those pieces once they've developed a track record of NFL success.
To that end, the team and GM Jerry Reese and owner John Mara are close to finalizing a couple of pieces of important in-house business ahead of the NFL free agency period in March and the 2015 NFL Draft in April.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is rumored to be in contract extension negotiations with the team. The grizzled coach hinted today on NFL Network that those talks could reach a positive conclusion soon.
"Something will come out on that shortly," Coughlin said, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "Those things are important to all of us - I'm not going to downplay that - but I don't spend a lot of time thinking about that stuff."
Coughlin is entering the final year of his deal and NFL teams usually do their best to avoid having head coaches - especially those with two Super Bowl victories to their name - twist in the wind via a "lame duck" status.
While the team has posted two losing seasons in a row, Coughlin's history coupled with the young talent in the Giants organization suggests a turnaround is in store.
One of those young talents the team is looking to lock up, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, is rumored to be destined for the franchise tag should talks between the two sides fail to produce an extension.
"Giants will use their franchise tag on DE Jason Pierre-Paul if the two sides fail to reach a long-term deal by March 2, per team source," ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted early Monday.
There was already talk that JPP's camp was preparing for the tag to be placed on the monster defender. While he'd probably prefer the financial security that comes with a long-term deal, it's hard to envision the 26-year-old being too upset with the tag - the projected figure for defensive ends next season is approximately $15 million, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.
It's a hefty sum but Pierre-Paul - who posted 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles last season - plays a premium position vital to the success of the entire Giants defensive unit.
