Giant Football Blog

Should Giants pursue Randy Moss?

Paging Randy Moss! Please pick up the Big Blue courtesy phone!

Yes, it's a desperation call. But those are the kind that the Giants are going to have to start making if they're interested in salvaging a season that has been ravaged by injuries.

Moss is the only free-agent receiver available with the kind of explosiveness that the Giants need right now. No disrespect to Victor Cruz, the Giants' second-year receiver, or Jerrel Jernigan, the rookie, but no one is going to get their popcorn ready to see them dance in the end zone.

It's too early to panic, with 14 games remaining. But the Giants are in terrible straits on offense. Receiver Domenik Hixon is lost for the season due to a torn ACL and fellow wideout Mario Manningham is suffering from concussion symptoms and iffy for the meeting with the Eagles on Sunday. If the Giants can get Moss out of retirement, they have to do it. (continue)

Giants sign WR Stokely

Needing to improve their wide receivers, the Giants signed veteran Brandon Stokley today. The news was confirmed by Stokley's agent, Rick Smith.

Stokley, 35, has played 12 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. His most productive seasons came with Peyton Manning as his quarterback in Indianapolis. While with the Colts in 2004, Stokley caught 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns. (continue)

Chase Blackburn works out for Giants

It was pretty evident from Tom Coughlin's mormimg press conference the Giants are looking for a middle linebacker who knows Perry Fewell's system. Kawika Mitchell, a Buffalo Bill from 2008-09, fits that description.

So does Chase Blackburn. And that's why Blackburn is here today for a visit.

The Giants' special-teams captain last year and a key backup since he made the team as an undrafted player in 2005 is one of the free-agent linebackers who will work out for the Giants today, according to someone who recently spoke to Blackburn. The person requested anonymity because the Giants don't comment publicly on workouts. (continue)

Giants sign CB Williams

Having lost three CBs already during training camp to season-ending injuries and another for six weeks, the Giants today moved to bolster the position. They will sign veteran cornerback Brian Williams, according to a person informed of the move.

The person requested anonymity because team hasn't yet announced the signing.

Williams worked out for the Giants today with three other players, including former Jets and Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard and Dre' Bly.

Williams is seen by the Giants as a player who can step into a backup role and learn the playbook quickly. Perhaps equally important is Williams' durability. (continue)

Gianst sign S Deon Grant

The Giants' young defensive players will apparently soon be getting their big brother back.

The team is expected to re-sign veteran safety Deon Grant, according to someone informed of the impending transaction. The person requested anonymity because the move isn't yet official.

Grant, 32, had three interceptions and 10 total passes defensed last season to go along with 72 total tackles. He was a key part of the defense because he allowed coordinator Perry Fewell to employ a three-safety look that took advantage of the depth at the position and compensated for a lack of coverage linebackers. (continue)

Giants let Eagles sign Steve Smith

The Giants believed Steve Smith had a "long haul" to make before being ready on the field.

The Eagles disagreed. And they proved it today.

One day after visiting the Giants, Smith quietly traveled down the Turnpike and signed a one-year deal with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced.

Someone informed of the terms of the contract said it's worth $4 million with $2 million guaranteed. The person, who requested anonymity because the financials weren't to be discussed publicly, said the Giants also offered a one-year deal.

Smith is only eight months removed from microfracture surgery on his knee after suffering damage to the articular cartilage in the joint in a game against the Vikings last December. The Giants obviously believed he had, as Tom Coughlin said today, "a ways to go." (continue)

Giants lose Kevin Boss to Oakland Raiders

The Giants have now officially lost one of Eli Manning's favorite targets.

Kevin Boss, a tough and clutch tight end who caught one of the biggest passes of Super Bowl XLII, officially spurned the Giants Friday morning and signed with the Oakland Raiders. He got a four-year deal that according to ESPN is worth $16 million.

The Giants had hoped to re-sign him and Tom Coughlin said he even exchanged voicemails with Boss on Wednesday night while he was working out in Oakland. But it appears the bid from the salary cap-strapped Giants just wasn't in Boss' range. (continue)

Giants tell Osi to look for a better deal

If Osi Umenyiora wants to leave the Giants, he now has permission to find the door.

The agent for the disgruntled defensive end was officially given permission to seek a trade, if that's what he wants, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Umenyiora's agent, Tony Agnone, began making phone calls to other teams on Monday, the source said.  The Giants are looking for "at least" a first-round pick in the trade, which was first reported by ESPN. And according to one of the sources, the Giants may not be inclined to settle for less. (continue)

Giants may have to get Plaxico to combat Philly

Plaxico Burress came to the Timex Performance Center, a facility he had never before set foot inside.

He stared at the image of his Super Bowl XLII-winning touchdown catch on the mural outside the locker room. He chatted with former teammates and surely got the chance to say hi to some members of the organization he hadn’t seen since 2008.

Of course, Tom Coughlin was the one Giants employee that mattered most in this potentially cathartic process tonight. For about an hour, the former Giants widr receiver sat and chatted with the coach as both sides felt each other out about a possible reunion. That sit-down was followed by two short meetings: one with general manager Jerry Reese and one with team president John Mara. (continue)

Giants sign C David Baas

One day after telling longtime starting center Shaun O'Hara that he'll be released, the Giants have come to terms on a new contract with free-agent center/guard David Baas, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers. The Sacramento Bee was the first to report the agreement, and while there are a number of ways the Giants (who cut three offensive linemen Tuesday) could use Baas, the most likely spot for him is as their new starting center. (continue)