This was the New York Giants' plan all along. Keep together the defense that evolved late last season into one of the league’s best units. Simple in theory, much more difficult in practice with players hoping to be paid for their performances last season.
The Giants have so far been fairly successful this offseason, even if reserve cornerback Coty Sensabaugh got away Monday and landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, days after re-signing defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul in a move that ultimately created more salary-cap space, they made sure not to let linebackers Mark Herzlich and Keenan Robinson leave.