There’s a fire sale going on in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
With their season in turmoil, the New York Giants have partially hit the reset button ahead of their upcoming game against the Washington Redskins — trading two defensive starters in the past two days.
On Wednesday, New York traded defense Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a fifth-round pick, a day after the team shipped 2016 first-round cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints for a fourth and seventh-round pick.
The moves are the latest indication the Giants (1-6) are in rebuilding mode.
And the franchise might not be done.
The NFL Network reported the Giants could make additional moves before the league’s trade deadline on Oct. 30. Quarterback Eli Manning, who has a no-trade clause, is not expected to be moved.
Coach Pat Shurmur, though, said the Giants are not punting on this season.
“First of all, I don’t buy that narrative,” Shurmur said. “I felt like deals were presented for the two players that we traded. From an organizational standpoint, you think about it in the short-term and the long-term.”
But there’s no doubt the Giants have been a dysfunctional franchise this year.
Last week, they waived offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, a 2015 first-round pick. But that was minor compared to the latest controversies involving Odell Beckham Jr. — which include a candid ESPN interview and the revelation that the star wide receiver doesn’t like to drink water.
Giants owner John Mara said Beckham needed to “play more and talk less.” Earlier this month, the wideout told ESPN that he “didn’t know” if Manning was the reason for the team’s struggling offense and wouldn’t say if he was happy in New York. “It’s a tough question,” he said.
Beckham was fined for his remarks.
Manning, 37, has looked like a shell of his former self — unable to take advantage of a supporting cast that includes Beckham and Saquon Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick. The Giants offense is averaging just 18.7 points per game, sixth-worst in the NFL.
The defense, on the other hand, isn’t much better. The unit ranks 18th in yards allowed and have given up 26.4 points per game, which is tied for seventh worst in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, the Giants are just 4-19.
This season, they have been unable to close out games. New York has lost three of its six games by five points or fewer.
The trades, on paper, make the Giants worse.
Harrison, in particular, was an elite run-stuffer and was named an All-Pro in 2016. The Giants signed Harrison to a five-year, $46.25 million deal in 2016.
The Redskins, though, said they can’t overlook the Giants.
“They still have very good defensive personnel over there, guys that can rush the passer with [Olivier] Vernon, guys that can cover; they still have [Janoris] Jenkins and obviously Landon Collins,” coach Jay Gruden said. “They have some pretty darn good players over there even without those two they lost so we’re getting prepared for the Giants and expect a very hard-fought game like it always is with the Giants.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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