Giant Football Blog

Shockey could be part of draft-day blockbuster

This weekend, hundreds of players will be anxiously awaiting to see which NFL uniform they'll be wearing next year. Most of them are college players. One of them is Jeremy Shockey. And if recent rumblings are accurate, there's no guarantee he'll be wearing Giants blue come September. Then again, there's no guarantee he won't.

The Giants continue to field offers for their injured four-time Pro Bowl tight end, according to someone who speaks to members of the front office on a regular basis. The person, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak about the Shockey situation, said the recent offers, which have been made by multiple, unspecified teams, haven't been good enough for the Giants to even consider trading Shockey. Continue

Seattle pursuing Jeremy Shockey

If the Giants decide to trade Jeremy Shockey this week, it won't necessarily be to the Saints. Whether the Saints or Seahawks up the ante between now and the start of the draft on Saturday will likely determine whether the Giants make the bold move to dump the 27-year-old Shockey, who has been expressing his frustrations with the Giants to his friends this offseason. According to team sources, the Giants aren't actively trying to trade him, but they are listening to offers and have discussed the possibility.

Some in the organization are convinced Shockey will be traded before the first day of the draft is over, although most sources have indicated it could go either way, depending on how high the offers go.One source also indicated that other teams have expressed an interest in Shockey, although none more than the Seahawks and Saints. The source did not say who those teams were, but one possibility is the Atlanta Falcons, who are looking to replace tight end Alge Crumpler. The Falcons, by the way, have three second-round picks (34th, 37th and 48th). Continue

Jeremy Shockey trade waves

There's no reason for the Giants to even think about trading Jeremy Shockey. Now that Eli Manning is a Super Bowl MVP, Shockey has lost his leverage in crying for the ball or throwing his hands up in the air when Manning sails one over his head.

Shockey's a playmaker and it’s not as if the Giants are loaded with firepower. As long as Shockey doesn’t pull a Chad Johnson, then the Giants should keep him. The Saints are willing to give up a second-round pick. If they throw in another quality pick, the Giants are really going to be tempted. Continue

Shockey wants new role or trade

The prevailing theory regarding the Giants and Jeremy Shockey is the team learned during its Super Bowl run they no longer need the Pro Bowl tight end. Truth is, Shockey made the first move toward a separation. And he did so before the playoffs even began.

Shockey told the Giants in December he wanted a changed role in the offense or a trade to another team, according to a person familiar with discussions between Shockey, the Giants' coaching staff and front office. The person, who requested anonymity because he isn't authorized to speak on behalf of Shockey or the Giants, said Shockey threatened to sit out the upcoming season if neither request was granted.

Shockey, 27, who suffered a broken fibula in a Dec. 16 loss to the Redskins, feels his career is being cut short by all the blocking he has been asked to do since Tom Coughlin became coach of the Giants in 2004. While blocking is an integral part of a tight end's job description, Shockey believes he was more effective as a receiver under former coach Jim Fassel and offensive coordinator Sean Payton, now the coach of the New Orleans Saints, who are interested in trading for Shockey. Continue

Jeremy Shockey OK with trade talk

Jeremy Shockey has not formally demanded a trade from the Giants, but he has made it very clear he wouldn't be upset if it happened, either.The brash tight end, who missed the Giants' championship run with a broken leg, has been sounding off for more than a month about his frustrations with the Giants, according to NFL sources. And he has told friends he would welcome a trade to the New Orleans Saints, who made an offer for him last month.

But while Giants GM Jerry Reese admitted yesterday that he has had "conversations" with other teams about trading Shockey, he also said he is not shopping his tight end. "Anything can happen in personnel," he said. "But right now, Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end and we're looking forward for him to be back on the field for us this fall." Continue

Giants GM Strahan up in air; not shopping Shockey

Jerry Reese yesterday discussed pending decisions regarding the fates of Michael Strahan and Jeremy Shockey, only one of which he controls directly. The Giants' general manager said he does not expect Strahan to make a decision on whether he will return to play in 2008 before next weekend's draft.

"We would like for Michael to make a decision before then, but I don't think that would happen," Reese said. "He deserves to take whatever time he needs to take. Sooner is better for us, but it's not going to weigh on any decisions on what we are going to do in the draft." Reese said Strahan's mind could take much longer to make up. "We would like to know before training camp," he said. "He will make a decision before then, I think." Continue

Shock not on block

As usual, Jeremy Shockey is not at Giants Stadium this time of year. "Pretty much protocol for the offseason for him, to be training on his own and doing his own thing," center Shaun O'Hara said yesterday.

No one around the Giants expects to see Shockey much or at all until the June 11-13 mandatory veteran mini-camp and his working out in Miami is no longer the source of any legitimate controversy. But whether Shockey returns for his seventh season with the Giants has been a point of conjecture ever since the Giants won the Super Bowl without him, and the Saints tried to trade for the four-time Pro Bowl tight end. "There's always rumors about everything," Eli Manning said. Continue

NY Giants waive DT Wright

Manny Wright was waived yesterday after the team gave the troubled defensive tackle one season to prove he could remain focused and in shape. According to two people familiar with the Giants' reason for the transaction, Wright did the exact opposite by being overweight for much of last season and by heading back to California earlier this week after only one week of participation in the Giants' offseason workouts.

Wright, originally selected in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft by the Dolphins, is most remembered as the player who cried as he left the field after being berated by former Miami coach Nick Saban. Wright has battled off-field issues and has reportedly suffered from depression. He missed all of the 2006 season after taking a leave of absence from the Dolphins in the preseason. Continue

Seubert extended through 2012

Three years ago, Rich Seubert wasn't certain if he'd ever play football again. Now, he's got job security for the next couple of seasons. Seubert, the Giants' starting left guard last season, signed a contract extension through the 2012 season today, according to someone familiar with the negotiations. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Seubert, who turns 29 on Sunday, had two seasons remaining on his existing contract. After the Super Bowl win, he presented the Giants with a contract proposal that would allow him to finish his career with the team. Seubert's proposal also made his recent salary increases (from $1.05 million to $2 million this upcoming season) due to incentives reached more palatable for the Giants' salary cap because they'll now be converted into a signing bonus and spread over five years. Continue

Are the Giants interested in Pacman Jones?

Giants were willing to trade for DeAngelo Hall, would they offer a 2nd round pick for Pacman Jones? Jones is a great talent with many issues off the field, and his current contract is low.He is not a free agent until after 2009. Expect him to end up with the Cowboys who seem hell bent on imploding.

RB Derrick Ward re-signs with Giants

Running back Derrick Ward, who missed the Giants' Super Bowl run with a broken leg, re-signed with the New York Giants Friday. The 27-year-old Ward agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract that includes another million in incentives. He had been determined to test the open market after rushing for 602 yards last season to see if he could find more money or a better chance at a starting job. However, he found few interested teams.

So instead, Ward returns to rejoin a very crowded backfield that includes Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Reuben Droughns. With the way Bradshaw emerged after Ward broke his leg at the end of his 154-yard day in Chicago, it remains to be seen exactly where Ward will fit in. Continue

Giants sign linebacker Danny Clark

Needing some more depth at linebacker after losing two free agents at the position in the last month, the Giants signed veteran Danny Clark on Thursday to a two-year, $4million deal. Clark, who will be 31 in May and will be entering his ninth NFL season, spent last year with the Houston Texans, but he played the first three years of his career for Tom Coughlin on the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is the first ex-Jag to rejoin Coughlin in New York. Continue

Eli, meet your new backup

QB David Carr has agreed to terms of a one-year deal with the Giants, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who is not authorized to speak for the Giants.

The deal, which Carr is signing now, is worth $1 million plus incentives. Carr will serve as the veteran backup to Eli Manning, and is aware he's not competing for the starting job, but he's happy about the chance to get his career back on track in a positive, post-Super Bowl championship environment, said a person familiar with Carr's thinking. He is also excited to work with Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, who was the Texans' offensive coordinator during Carr's first four seasons in Houston. (The Star Ledger)

Clark to visit Giants

In addition to bringing in quarterback David Carr for a visit, the Giants New York Giants last night and today also will meet and get to know linebacker Danny Clark, who, like Carr, has a Giants connection.

Carr played for QB coach Chris Palmer when Palmer was the offensive coordinator in Houston. Clark back in 2000 was drafted out of Illinois by Tom Coughlin and spent four years in Jacksonville, three with Coughlin. A strong side linebacker, Clark if signed would fill the roster spot opened up when Reggie Torbor signed with the Dolphins. Mathias Kiwanuka , coming back from a broken leg, is expected to resume his linebacker career and in reserve on the strong side, the Giants at the moment have Zak DeOssie entering his second year. Continue

Giants looking at David Carr to be Eli Manning's backup quarterback

The Giants already have one former No.1 pick playing quarterback. Soon they might have two. David Carr, the No.1 selection in the 2002 draft, will arrive in the New York area Monday to begin a two-day free-agent visit with the Giants. The Giants are interested in signing the 28-year-old to be the backup for Eli Manning, the No.1 pick in 2004.

Carr spent part of last year with the Carolina Panthers, making four starts. He went there after five mostly disappointing seasons with the Houston Texans, where he never quite lived up to his hype. If he signs with the Giants, Carr would be reunited with quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, who was the Texans' offensive coordinator in Carr's first four NFL seasons. Continue

Giants wooing CB Kelly

It seems the Giants havent given up on the idea of adding another cornerback. Having flirted with -- and then backing away from -- a trade for DeAngelo Hall of the Falcons, the Giants will be visited today by former Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly, according to someone familiar with Kelly's free-agent prospects as well as the Giants interest in him. The person requested anonymity because the talks are in the preliminary stages.

The 32-year-old Kelly, who started opposite Ronde Barber and had 22 interceptions in 10 seasons with Tampa Bay, visited the Lions yesterday. Continue

Knight officially a Giant

The Giants have officially signed S Sammy Knight. According to someone familiar with the terms of the deal, it's a three-year, $5.15-million contract with a $1.25-million signing bonus. Not a bad deal for both sides after Knight signed a one-year, $820k deal with Jacksonville last year. The person familiar with the deal also said Knight has been told he will be a starter, though it's not clear if it'll be at strong or free. Again, not that it matters much because both spots are similar in the Giants' D.

"We're excited to have a veteran of Sammy's caliber joining our secondary," GM Jerry Reese said in the team's release. "We were attracted to how smart he plays and how productive and physical he plays. We think he will thrive in our defensive schemes. He brings a lot of leadership to the team, especially to the secondary, and he is a real pro." Continue

Safety first for Jints

Much like a year ago, the Giants are sitting out the early flurry of free-agent frenzy, but that doesn't mean they are sitting idly by. Last night, they brought in veteran safety Sammy Knight for a visit that will extend into today.The need for a new safety was created with the loss of starting free safety Gibril Wilson to the Raiders. Knight turns 33 in September and has 42 career interceptions in 11 seasons with the Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs and Jaguars. Continue

Giants eye Sammy Knight to replace Gibril Wilson at safety

Sammty Knight has left Denver without a contract, and his next stop could be New York. The 32-year-old ex-Jaguars safety, who is the Giants' top choice to replace the departed Gibril Wilson, was in Denver last night and today, but was unable to come to terms on a contract with the Broncos. One NFL source said a trip to New York is definitely on his itinerary, and will likely take place early next week.

Whenever he does get around to visiting the Giants, he can almost certainly expect an offer, though it doesn't figure to be any more than $2 million per season. That, obviously, is nowhere near the $6.5 million per year that Wilson got from the Raiders yesterday. It's not clear if it'll be enough for Knight, either. Continue

Giants lose three from defense

The defending Super Bowl champions hadn't suffered a loss since December. Friday, on the first day of free agency, they lost three times. The Giants lost three defensive starters just hours after the free-agent signing period opened, as safety Gibril Wilson and linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor all left for greener pastures.

The Giants were trying to keep both Wilson and Mitchell, according to team sources, but their prices went way too high. Wilson got a six-year deal worth a reported $39 million with $16 million in guaranteed money from the Raiders. Mitchell got a five-year, $17.5 million deal with a $3.5 million signing bonus from the Bills. Torbor agreed to terms with the Dolphins. The Giants aren't worried about their linebacker corps, with Mathias Kiwanuka due to return from a broken leg and reclaim his starting spot on the strong side next season, and Gerris Wilkinson ready to step in on the weak side. Replacing Wilson, though, could be more difficult. That's why the Giants inquired yesterday about free-agent safeties Sammy Knight (Jaguars) and Eugene Wilson (Patriots). Continue

Wilson signed by Raiders

Safety Gibril Wilson was signed by the Oakland Raiders.It was a six-year, $39-million deal with the Raiders, a blockbuster contract for a safety. The Giants had heard Thursday night that Wilson was going to get a deal in the neighborhood of $6-6.5 million per year with the Raiders. (Newsday)

Giants lose LBs

Giants lose LB Kawika Mitchell to Buffalo Bills and LB Reggie Torbor to Dolphins.

Giants prepare for Wilson’s departure

There is an order to the universe, and that universe includes teams coming off Super Bowl triumphs. The newly minted champs want to be paid and, usually, they are. So, consider this the most fortunate of timing for Giants safety Gibril Wilson . He became an unrestricted free agent today at 12:01 a.m., and there will be big money awaiting him out there somewhere.

"You can't knock those guys," linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "This is a business. They are Super Bowl champs and they deserved to be paid like it. It happens on every Super Bowl team. The coaches get rewarded, the players should get rewarded. Everyone should be rewarded." Continue

Giants' Strahan says money not key to his return

Michael Strahan wouldn't divulge any definitive plans about his possible retirement, but some of his teammates think the possibility of repeating the Giants' Super Bowl success might be too enticing for the 36-year-old to ignore.

"Michael's coming back, don't listen to all that," fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora joked yesterday at the NFL Super Bowl XLII Champions DVD premiere screening in Times Square. "Another ring," Umenyiora said when asked what it would take for Strahan to return. "I think we can win more." Continue

Plaxico Burress may want new deal

Plaxico Burress just finished a remarkable season in which he battled a painful injury and finished with a Super Bowl-winning catch. Now he may be looking to cash in. Burress' agent declined to shoot down speculation on Saturday that the Giants' top receiver is looking to renegotiate his deal. Burress has three years and $10.5 million left on the six-year, $25 million deal he signed in 2005, but there have been rumors that he's looking for more. "That is going to be between myself and the Giants," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "I can't comment on that publicly."

Burress, of course, would appear to have some leverage after catching 70 passes for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season and another 18 passes for 221 yards and a score in the playoffs. The whole time he battled a sprained ankle he suffered on Aug. 2. He even played in the Giants' Super Bowl win just five days after slipping in the shower and hurting his knee. Continue

Eyeing pair of top CBs

Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the Giants are still looking to make roster upgrades. There is speculation they're interested in dealing for Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who said Friday he will not return to the team after new general manager Thomas Dimitroff told him the club would consider offers for him. Add in another potential target of the Giants: Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant.

According to a league source familiar with the Giants' situation, Trufant is on their radar as a potential acquisition once the trading period begins next Friday. Seattle has designated Trufant as their "franchise" player, meaning Seattle has virtually exclusive negotiating rights with him for the 2008 season. But that does not preclude them from making a trade. He is coming off his best season, with a career-high seven interceptions. Continue

Giants want DeAngelo Hall?

NFL network reported that the Giants were interested in trading their 1st pick in this years draft for Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall. Stay tuned.

Giants: We're open to new Strahan deal

One year after refusing to renegotiate Michael Strahan's contract, the Giants might have a change of heart. Co-owner John Mara said Thursday the Giants might be open to redoing Strahan's deal if the defensive end decides not to retire. He is currently signed only through next season and is due a salary of $4 million.

"We'll have to talk about that and see," Mara said. "I'm not ruling it out." The 36-year-old Strahan hasn't informed the Giants of his plans yet, although he's expected to do so sometime in March. "Well, we'd like to know," Mara said. "But you know what? He's earned the right to take his time. We certainly want him back." Continue

Jeff Feagles reboots for 2 years

It took Jeff Feagles 20 NFL seasons to get to and win his first Super Bowl. But rather than ride off into a championship sunset, he decided to come back for more. Feagles, the Giants' punter who recently became the oldest player to play in a Super Bowl, signed a two-year contract Tuesday morning. He will turn 42 next month and is looking forward to his 21st season. He said he never considered retirement.

"Oh, not at all," Feagles said. "What made my decision a lot easier is my family is here for good. I felt great during the season. The Giants have assured me they're convinced I can play for a couple more years. I've convinced myself that I can do that. We'll just take it year by year." Continue

Giants to give Lawrence Tynes five-year, $7 million contract

Kicking the Giants into Super Bowl XLII turned out to be very lucrative for Lawrence Tynes. The hero of the NFC Championship Game, who booted the game-winning 47-yarder in overtime after missing two previous attempts to win it, Tynes was close to agreeing to terms Monday on a five-year, $7 million contract, an NFL source confirmed. Tynes was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Feb.29.

The 29-year-old, Scotland-born kicker, whom the Giants acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs last May, got off to a rough start this season, missing three kicks under 35 yards in the first eight games. But he finished with respectable numbers, nailing 85.2% of his kicks (23 for 27) including 11 of his last 12. Continue

Justin Tuck signs five-year extension

Michael Strahan was a rookie the year Lawrence Taylor retired and he's only added to the Giants' reputation for fierce pass rushing. Now, as Strahan nears the end of his career, he has a chance to pass the torch to Justin Tuck. Tuck, technically a backup player but no less a playmaker, signed a five-year, $30 million extension that includes $16 million in guaranteed money yesterday morning, meaning the Giants have their future at defensive end set with Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

"For him to bounce back from (last year's foot injury), to be all over the field, to be at end, to be at tackle ... he plays all over the place," Strahan said yesterday. "To have 10 sacks, to make myself better, to make Osi better, I mean, that's really what he's done. I take my hat off to him, and he deserves everything that's coming to him right now." Continue

Giants audition pair of kickers

Not pleased with the performance of kicker Lawrence Tynes - who last weekend against the Eagles missed a 34-yard field-goal try and an extra point - the Giants yesterday worked out but didn't sign two kickers, Josh Huston and Billy Cundiff.

Huston this past summer lost a training-camp battle with Tynes, although in many respects he was the more consistent of the two. Cundiff, 27, spent four years kicking for the Cowboys, and in the second half of last season was the kickoff specialist for the Saints. Cundiff worked out for the Giants last spring before they traded with the Chiefs to acquire Tynes. This season, Tynes has connected on seven of nine field goals. Both his misses are from 34 yards. Continue

Giants bring in ex-Patriot DB Artrell Hawkins for tryout

Apparently unsatisfied with the play of their secondary, the Giants brought in veteran CB/S Artrell Hawkins for a visit on Monday.

Hawkins was cut by the Patriots in mid-August, in part because of an undisclosed injury that he said "I've managed before." He started 12 games at safety for New England last season. Before joining the Pats (2005-06), he spent seven years playing cornerback for the Bengals (1998-2003) and Panthers (2004). The 30-year-old Hawkins (5-10, 195) has made 92 starts and has 11 interceptions. Continue

Even bigger Blue

Bigger is, for now, simply bigger. After three weeks of training camp and one preseason game, the Giants brain-trust determined the best-laid plans along the interior of the defensive line need to be re-evaluated. The lighter, quicker defensive tackles that were supposed to fit so neatly in first-year coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system could be on the way out. Bulk has arrived to plug the middle. “Some big boys,” linebacker Antonio Pierce marveled.

Big is Fred Robbins, who at 317 pounds once reigned supreme in size among the starting defensive line. Big does not adequately describe the doughy duo imported this week by the Giants, a tonnage twosome that yesterday hit the field for the first time. The weight of newly-signed 6-foot-4 twin peaks Manny Wright (345) and Tui Alailefaleula (375) adds up to 720 pounds, which for now makes this nothing more than an extreme experiment that may smack of desperation and unquestionably contains rivulets of perspiration. Continue

Lid still on Rice for Giants deal

Defensive end Simeon Rice came and went this week with no contract signed, though he and the Giants kept the door open to a possible deal in the near future.

According to someone involved in the negotiations, the Giants are interested in Rice, 33, though the team is taking a wait-and-see approach to his situation and have not yet made a contract offer. The person, who requested anonymity because negotiations could pick up in the future, said the Giants want to see how Michael Strahan's holdout plays out while waiting for Rice's injured shoulder to heal enough so he's available to play immediately. The person also said Rice passed the team's physical but that he's still a few weeks away from being able to participate in full-contact activity. Continue

Free agent Rice visits Giants but doesn't sign

Free-agent defensive end Simeon Rice came and went without signing a contract, although he did pass a physical administered by the Giants yesterday. Rice was relatively mum about a deal with the Giants while leaving a meeting with general manager Jerry Reese at the University at Albany. "Who knows?" Rice said. "I don't know anything. I'm just here prospecting, you know?" Continue

Rice on menu for Giants

Simeon Rice always insisted he's a better player than Michael Strahan. Very soon, the Giants might find out for sure. Rice, the 33-year-old defensive end who has had a running feud with Strahan for the last nine years, is scheduled to come in and visit the Giants tomorrow, according to two NFL sources. With the 35-year-old Strahan holding out of training camp and threatening to retire, the Giants are exploring their options and want to see if Rice is healthy enough to take Strahan's place.

Rice became available Thursday when he was cut by Tampa Bay. The Bucs said he failed a physical due to a shoulder injury that limited him to eight games last season. But Rice claimed he was waived when he refused to take a pay cut from the $7.25 million he was due this year. Continue

Nebraska lineman signed by Giants

With eight days remaining before players report to training camp, the Giants have invited one more player to Albany -- Nebraska lineman Chris Patrick. The team signed Patrick to a two-year contract after an impressive workout yesterday, his agent, Joe Linta, confirmed last night.

Patrick was not selected in last week's supplemental draft and was eligible to sign with any team as a free agent. He had drawn interest from a few teams, including the Jets, who were hoping to bring him in for a visit in the near future. Continue

Giants sign McMahan

The Giants yesterday added to their roster for training camp by signing Kevin McMahan, a wide receiver from Maine who owns the dubious distinction of being known as Mr. Irrelevant as the last player taken in the 2006 NFL Draft.

McMahan, 24, was selected a year ago by the Raiders, who cut him prior to the season. McMahan has desirable size (6-2, 200) and speed (4.34), but he is coming off a hamstring injury that caused the Colts - who signed him last January - to release him. Continue

Piller joins Giants

Losing veteran depth on their offensive line with the expected move of Rich Seubert into the starting left guard spot, the NY Giants yesterday took a step to reclaim some of that experience with the signing of guard Zach Piller.

With eight years in the NFL - all with the Titans - Piller has played in 87 games, with 58 starts. He managed to get on the field for only three starts last season before suffering an ankle injury and spent the bulk of the year on injured reserve. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder was waived by the Titans on Feb. 21. Continue

Big Blue could grab Keyshawn

One year after being pursued by the Giants, Keyshawn Johnson is available again. And though a return engagement in New York isn't likely, Tom Coughlin refused to rule it out.

"Well, let's put it this way," Coughlin said yesterday on Sirius NFL Radio. "We study every player that's available and we'll do that again in light of the fact that Keyshawn is available. We weren't necessarily thinking that he would be. Of course we made a move in the draft to help solidify that position as well, so we'll take a look at that like we do everything else."Johnson, a 11-year veteran who turns 35 in July, was cut yesterday by the Panthers. He became expendable after Carolina drafted USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round on Saturday." Continue

Giants stand pat in spiraling market

The Giants haven't done much since Jerry Reese took over as their new general manager in January, but there was a reason for their inactivity. According to Reese, they were the victims of a spiraling free-agent market that Reese said was "out of control." "The money was out of control," Reese said yesterday. "I think there were some guys some people would consider marginal players who got paid astronomical amounts. We didn't feel like we were going to do that. We didn't feel like it was smart for us to do that."

That's why, in Reese's first three months on the job, the Giants have done more subtracting than adding. They have cut three big-name players (left tackle Luke Petigout and linebackers LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons) made one trade (sending receiver Tim Carter to Cleveland for running back Reuben Droughns) and signed only a few nondescript free agents (including linebacker Kawika Mitchell and backup quarterback Anthony Wright). Continue

Giants sign QB Wright

No one has handed Anthony Wright the backup quarterback job, but the Giants will be stunned if he doesn't beat back competition from Jared Lorenzen and Tim Hasselbeck. Wright yesterday finally signed a two-year contract that, factoring in incentives, can rise in worth to just under $4 million.

"Anthony is a veteran quarterback who has led his team into the playoffs as the No. 2 guy," first-year Giants GM Jerry Reese said. "He is respected around the league by coaches and his peers. Obviously this will boost the competition for the second and third quarterback spots during training camp." Continue

Giants get Wright

Eli Manning will have a new backup next season. Journeyman Anthony Wright, an eight-year veteran now with his fifth NFL team, agreed to terms yesterday on a two-year contact with the Giants, according to multiple league sources. He almost certainly will replace Jared Lorenzen as the No.2 quarterback on the Giants' roster, and could push either Lorenzen or veteran backup Tim Hasselbeck out of a job.

The Giants also signed veteran defensive tackle Marcus Bell and defensive back Michael Stone. Bell, a 6-2, 325-pounder, started seven games at nose tackle for the Detroit Lions last season before he broke his hand. Stone, a six-year veteran, figures to play mostly on special teams.

Before any of those signings yesterday, the Giants worked out receiver Charles Rogers, one of the NFL's all-time greatest draft busts. The No.2 pick in the 2003 draft out of Michigan State hasn't played in the NFL since 2005, and has worked out for four other teams since he was cut by the Lions in September. Continue

Giants mull Wright move

In the never-ending quest to bolster their backup quarterback position behind Eli Manning, the Giants this week will meet with Anthony Wright, who will make a visit to Giants Stadium to speak with the offensive coaching staff. Wright, 31, is arguably the last proven quarterback remaining on the market. The nine-year veteran spent last season with the Bengals and enjoyed his best success in Baltimore, where he started seven games in 2003 and seven more in 2005. In his career, Wright has completed 55.4 percent of his passes along with 20 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

As recently as 2005, Wright had surgery to repair a torn right labrum in his shoulder, but sources say he is completely healthy and should have no trouble passing a physical. The Broncos showed interest in Wright but instead opted to sign Patrick Ramsey. The Falcons also flirted with Wright but went with Joey Harrington and the Panthers bypassed Wright for David Carr. Continue

Mitchell's happy here

Kawika Mitchell admitted that his free-agency experience was not what he expected it to be. More than three weeks into signing period, there were few NFL teams interested in his services, but he sounds happy to have landed with the Giants. "It was an interesting process," Mitchell said yesterday at Giants Stadium. "I've never been through it before. You learn something new every year. I ended up in a good situation." Continue

Giants near deal with LB Mitchell

The Giants are close to signing free-agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell to a one-year, $1-million deal, a person familiar with the negotiations said today. Mitchell, 27, has spent his four-year NFL career with the Chiefs as a middle linebacker but would switch to either strong-side or weak-side with the Giants. He was at Giants Stadium today to meet with the coaching staff and take a physical.

A Giants official said the team had nothing to announce today. General manager Jerry Reese is with the rest of the front office in Phoenix for the league meetings, which could be a reason the signing would be delayed until tomorrow. Continue

Leach inks Giant offer

Unless the Texans think highly of Vonta Leach, the Giants will soon have a new fullback. Leach, a restricted free agent, yesterday signed an offer sheet from the Giants, and the Texans have seven days to match the offer or else lose him. The offer sheet is a four-year, $8 million deal, which is not break-the-bank money but is significant cash for a 25-year-old lead blocker.

This does not bode well for veteran Jim Finn, who has served as the Giants fullback the past four years. If Leach comes aboard, Finn is expendable. Clearly, the Giants have a desire to add a younger, more powerful player to their offensive backfield. The 6-foot, 250-pound Leach has been in the NFL for three years, the first two with the Packers and last season in Houston. He has 10 career starts and no rushing attempts. He does have 11 receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. Continue

Cato on Giants' radar

Despite reports that the Giants are expecting to meet this week with linebacker Cato June, no visit has been scheduled and thus far, there's been little interest by the Giants in the unrestricted free agent from the Colts.

The Giants have make contact with June's agent, but no talks of any substance have taken place. Clearly, if the Giants have any desire to sign June to bolster their depleted linebacker corps, they are willing to wait to see how whatever market there is for June develops. Although June has not made any visits thus far in free agency, there is interest in him around the league and a source said he should be signed in the next seven days. (NY Post)

Colts' Super Bowl hero Rhodes chooses Raiders

Running back Dominic Rhodes, one of the heroes of the Indianapolis Colts' Super Bowl XLI championship less than two months ago, is headed to the team that finished the 2006 season with the league's worst record.

Rhodes on Friday morning agreed with the Oakland Raiders on a two-year contract that can be worth as much as $7.5 million, league sources confirmed for ESPN.com. Rhodes had generated considerable interest as an unrestricted free agent and made several visits, but met with Oakland officials earlier this week and was sold on the opportunity there.

The six-year veteran will serve as an insurance policy for the Raiders, in the event incumbent starter LaMont Jordan does not bounce back from the medial collateral ligament injury that limited him to nine games in 2006. More likely, however, the two will split the ball-carrying duties in the Oakland backfield. Continue

McGahee dealt as Giants dally

One week into the signing period, the Giants have yet to take a dip into the free-agent pool. Meanwhile, the running backs they were chasing are starting to get away. Willis McGahee, whom Giants GM Jerry Reese expressed an interest in trading for while at the scouting combine two weeks ago, was dealt by Buffalo to Baltimore yesterday. The price was two third-round draft picks and a seventh-rounder. Reese had said he would not part with a draft pick in Rounds 1-3 - a stance that likely took the Giants out of the bidding.

Also, running back Dominic Rhodes, who visited the Giants on the first day of the signing period, was in Tennessee yesterday and is now on his way to Oakland. He also has visited Buffalo. And while his agent has discussed a contract with the Giants, they have never been close to a deal. Continue

Feely, Dolphins reach 3-year deal

Jay Feely wanted to stay with the Giants, but the Giants decided kicker wasn't a position on which they needed to spend extra money. So they chose not to make a competitive offer and Feely agreed to a three-year, $6-million deal with the Dolphins last night, with roughly $2.5 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the contract details.

Feely, 30, declined comment when reached at his home in Michigan last night. He wrapped a visit with the Dolphins on Tuesday and said the Giants had called his agent to say they would be making a new offer above the one they made two weeks ago, which was not strong enough to keep Feely from testing the free-agent market. Continue

Giants kick up effort for Feely

The Giants are making a last-ditch effort to re-sign kicker Jay Feely. With Feely on the verge of signing with the Dolphins, the Giants stepped up their efforts to keep him, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. They had not shown much interest in bringing him back before Feely drew interest from his old team, the Falcons, and visited Miami on Monday. Feely, who has made 84% of his field goals (58-for-69) in two seasons with the Giants, is expected to make up his mind in the next few days. Continue

Giants find Curtis not a simple catch

Such is the pace of free agency for the Giants that even inviting a player in for a visit can't be easy. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis, a four-year veteran with the Rams, still is scheduled to come to Giants Stadium, possibly today. But that might be delayed because Curtis fired his agent, Tom Condon, after Curtis left Detroit without a contract.Under NFL Players Association rules, Curtis must wait five days before hiring a new agent, so he can visit teams but cannot negotiate until Saturday at the earliest.

That is the only real news in the Giants' world. Running back Dominic Rhodes visited Friday and Saturday but left without a deal, and none seems to be in the works. The Giants hoped to talk to former Titans running back Travis Henry, but the Broncos did not let him get away yesterday, signing him to a deal that includes $12 million in guaranteed money. Continue

Big Blue still in RB market

The Giants yesterday went another day without a signing in free agency. At least they are making inquiries into finding a running back. They played host to Dominic Rhodes of the Colts and may try to arrange for a visit by Travis Henry, who was recently cut by the Titans for financial reasons.

Henry will first make a trip to see the Broncos, and he might not get out of Denver without a signed contract. If he remains free, the Giants could be next in line. "They have interest," Henry's agent, Hadley Engelhard, said in an e-mail. "We will follow up with the Giants after his visit to Denver." Henry was not going to remain in Tennessee, as he was due a roster bonus of $8.4 million and was cut two days before that bonus was to be paid out. Continue

Giants in no rush to secure Rhodes

Dominic Rhodes was still in New Jersey yesterday, but the eyes of the Giants were elsewhere. Rhodes wrapped up his two-day visit with the Giants without a deal, even though the Giants were "favorably impressed" with the free-agent running back, according to a team source. Still, they were busy exploring other available options, including Travis Henry and Tatum Bell.

Henry was cut by Tennessee yesterday, two days before he was due an $8.3 million roster bonus. The 5-9, 215-pounder was on his way to Denver last night but his agent, Hadley Englehard, said the Giants had quickly called to express their interest after he was released. Continue

Hit the Rhodes

The player most deserving of the MVP award in Super Bowl XLI was running back Dominic Rhodes, who rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown as the Colts beat the Bears 29-17. He would have gotten it, if not for the overwhelming emotional tug of Peyton Manning.

Manning came away with the honor but Rhodes, along with Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, got to shout, "I'm going to Disney World!" in the traditional post-game commercial. Soon enough, Rhodes might be able to say, "I'm the newest member of the Giants." Continue

Blue-light special

Three players the Giants are expected to target in free agency:
# RB Dominic Rhodes: From Super Bowl hero to Brandon Jacobs' backfield mate? A recent DUI arrest hasn't ruled him out.
# LB Cato June: They won't get Adalius Thomas and they're desperate for linebackers, so they should make a big run at this former Pro Bowler.
# S Michael Lewis: Big-hitter who was benched in Philly, but is only 26. Could spell the end for Will Demps. (Daily News)

O'Hara gets Giant deal

Giants GM Jerry Reese landed his first free agent late last night. Today he will move quickly to try to land a few more. Just two hours before the free-agent market opened at midnight, Reese finalized a five-year, $19 million contract with center Shaun O'Hara, plugging what would have been a huge hole in the Giants' offensive line. The Giants got it done by increasing the "final" offer they had presented him a week ago by about $200,000 per season.

O'Hara will also get a $7.5 million signing bonus and will be paid $12 million in the first three years of the deal. With O'Hara signed, the Giants were free to turn their attention in other directions as the market opened, and while they weren't expected to be major players for some of the bigger names - such as cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker Adalius Thomas - they were planning to be aggressive in pursuit of some second-tier free agents. Continue

O'Hara may hit market

The Giants last year often spoke about the importance of continuity on the offensive line, but their actions this offseason might not match that rhetoric. Left tackle Luke Petitgout already has been let go, with the team concerned about the short-term health of his back. If unrestricted-free-agent center Shaun O'Hara leaves, a void will be created not only in the middle of the line but also in the locker room, where O'Hara is one of the true team leaders.

O'Hara, 29, lives in New Jersey, went to Rutgers, came to the Giants in 2004, and wants to stay put. It might not make financial sense for him. According to a source, the O'Hara camp said it felt negotiations with assistant general manager Kevin Abrams were moving along just fine. The talks ground to a halt after first-year general manager Jerry Reese, the source said, entered the fray and "pounded on his chest a little bit." Continue

Buying isn't solution

The remodeling of the Giants begins in earnest tonight. Yes, new general manager Jerry Reese took a step in that direction by cutting tackle Luke Petitgout on Feb. 12, but the 12:01 start of free agency signals a chance for Reese to add players and chart a new course for the franchise. That's not an overstatement. The Giants have holes at linebacker, cornerback, offensive line and likely kicker, plus a huge void with Tiki Barber retired. Michael Strahan, 35, and Amani Toomer, 32, are nearing the end of their careers, too, leaving the team searching for new cornerstones.

"It will definitely be an adjustment not having Tiki on the field or in the locker room. I don't think you replace someone like that," team president John Mara said. "But you don't fill all your holes in free agency. It still comes down to drafting well and developing well. You can't rely on free agency to fix all your problems." Continue

Feely threatens to leave Giants

The start of NFL free agency comes Friday and Jay Feely is sure of one thing: He's headed to the open market. "I'm definitely headed to free agency," the Giants kicker told The Post yesterday from his Michigan home. "There's no doubt in my mind. That doesn't mean I'm not going to be a Giant."

Feely the past two years performed well for the Giants and he strongly wants to return. He just doesn't know if it will make financial sense for him to do so. Attempts last season at putting together a contract extension never resulted in a new deal, and the offer the Giants have on the table is far below what Feely considers market rate. Three veteran kickers - the Rams' Jeff Wilkins, Buffalo's Rian Lindell and Ryan Longwell of the Vikings- essentially have the same contract: five years, $10 million with a signing bonus (or guaranteed money) totaling about $3 million. If the Giants presented Feely with those numbers, he'd sign today. Continue