At long last, the Giants secured the services of a tight end who they believe can play a significant role in their often-dormant passing game. They signed unrestricted free agent Pete Mitchell yesterday to a two-year, $2 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $575,000 and the plan this offseason is to quickly integrate him into their offense.
Adding a player of Mitchell’s ability was one of the priorities for the Giants, and they flirted with signing free agents Jamie Asher of the Redskins or the Lions’ David Sloan. The Giants always liked Mitchell, but the Jaguars placed a transition player tag on him and the Giants were not interested in giving up any compensation in return for signing a tight end.
When Mitchell and Jacksonville could not come to a contract agreement, the Jaguars broke the bank on an offer to restricted free agent Kyle Brady of the Jets. When the Jets did not match the offer, Brady went to the Jaguars, who promptly took the transition tag off Mitchell. That led to more intense interest by the Giants and the eventual signing.
“First and foremost, Pete’s competitive and tough,” said Jim Fassel, who in his two seasons has often bemoaned the lack of an adequate pass-catching tight end. “The dimension he gives us as a pass receiver should be very positive. He’s going to help us get better.”
The only word to describe the involvement of Giants tight ends in last year’s passing attack is pitiful. Starter Howard Cross is a strong blocker who serves more as an offensive lineman than a receiver, and he caught only 13 passes. Al Pupunu, signed as a receiving threat, was hurt most of the time and contributed one catch. Andy Haase, an undrafted rookie, had two catches. That was it as far as tight ends were concerned.
Mitchell, 27, is not exceptionally big (6-2, 248) but he had 166 receptions and nine touchdowns in his four years in Jacksonville. His best season was 1996, when he had 52 catches for 575 yards, and last season he caught 38 passes for 363 yards.
There is now something of a surplus of tight ends on the Giants roster from Boston College. In addition to Mitchell, there is also Scott Dragos and Todd Pollack.