Should the Giants Sign Marvin Harrison

I got an e-mail from Jay (guest blogger on this site) who asked:

 

The Colts finally released Marvin Harrison. The Giants need a new WR to replace Plax. Should they consider signing him, or should they draft younger talent? Remember, Toomer (their veteran go-to guy) probably will not be back next year. There may be cap implications to signing Harrison, but should it be considered? We need a big upgrade at that position.

Interested in your thoughts.

Well I'm definitely willing to give my thoughts. I really don't think they should unless the deal is really, really cap friendly for the Giants. The Giants do not need another guy like Harrison; they need a homerun threat. Is Domenik Hixon really that answer? Maybe in a few years. But I would love for them to go out and get a real #1 and compliment them with Hixon and Steve Smith (who has filled in Toomer's role as the 3rd down, go-to guy). What they need is a young, physical receiver for Eli Manning to throw to. Todd McShay has the Giants picking Hakeem Nicks in the first round and I think that may be a good direction to go in (the beginning of one part of his scouting profile goes: "A strong, physical receiver who competes hard when the ball is in the air. Makes tough catches in traffic and is not afraid to go over the middle. Runs hard and flashes the ability to pick up yards after contact"). And if they have the opportunity to move up to draft Michael Crabtree (maybe that extra pick from the Jeremy Shockey trade could come in handy here) they should.
Harrison has amassed some pretty unbelievable numbers throughout his career. But Harrison is going to be 37 in the 2009 NFL season. He's one season removed from only playing 5 games. His 60 receptions in 2008 were the lowest for him in a season in which he played at least 15 games. And he fell out of favor with Peyton Manning in a pass-heavy offense. Are we expecting him to have more success for Eli Manning in a run-heavy offense? And he didn't want to take a pay cut on the Colts, so what makes us think he'll fit into the Giants cap-strapped budget (if and when they sign Jacobs and Manning to long-term deals as expected)?

And let's not forget this is the same Marvin Harrison who was investigated last year for his possible connection in a shooting. With the Plaxico Burress Situation hanging over the Giants, that's the last thing they need.

If this was 5 years ago, I think that Harrison would be the elite WR the G-men are looking for. Now I think they should avoid him. I think he'll end up in Philly where he can reunite with his college teammate, Donovan McNabb, and not win a Super Bowl. And I'm just fine with that.