Part of the off-season discussion is always which free agents to keep and which to let go. Many of the other New York Giants' beat writers have already compiled 'unofficial' lists of which players are free agents this offseason. Thanks Ralph, Ohm, Tom Rock and the rest of you for figuring it out so I wouldn't have to.
Anyway, here is a look at the unofficial list of free agents with my first thought on the future of each with the Giants. we will go much deeper into positional analysis and focus on specific players as time unfolds, but for now this is a first look at some of the decisions the Giants need to make.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
T Will Beatty -- This guy is, for me, the top priority among all of the Giants' unrestricted free agents. At 27, he has become a top flight left tackle, and those guys don't grow on trees. A rich, long-term deal for Beatty should be coming.
DE Osi Umenyiora -- He has already moved on from the Giants in his mind. All that remains in an official parting.
G Kevin Boothe -- Had a solid season. The Giants have enough other issues without creating one by letting him go.
TE Martellus Bennett -- A 55-reception season made him the most productive Giants' tight end since Jeremy Shockey. The only question is going to be how much he wants.
S Kenny Phillips -- Jesse laid out Phillips' value to the Giants. For me, no way the Giants can commit significant money to KP, and if anyone else is willing to he would likely move on.
LB Chase Blackburn -- A great guy to have on your team, but having him as your starting middle linebacker is a sign of weakness. I say let him go.
LB Keith Rivers -- GM Jerry Reese has said the Giants need better linebacker play in 2013, and he is right. Could Rivers be part of the solution? I wouldn't count on it.
K Lawrence Tynes -- Struggled at the end of the year, but there is no reason he wouldn't be back.
DT Rocky Bernard -- A decent veteran player, but it's time for the Giants to move on.
WR Domenik Hixon -- One of the most interesting decisions of the off-season. Reuben Randle needs to play, so how much do you pay your No. 4 wide receiver/punt returner? And will anyone else really be interested in HIxon?
TE Bear Pascoe -- An acceptable blocking tight end. Do the Giants think enough of Adrien Robinson to let Pascoe go?
WR Ramses Barden -- Never amounted to what his talent told you he should have. Time for some other team to see if they can gey anything out of him.
QB David Carr -- No reason not to bring him back.
TE Travis Beckum -- Wasted a roster spot for four years.
T Sean Locklear -- Whether he starts or not, Locklear should be brought back to provide veteran depth at offensive tackle.
CB Justin Tryon -- Meh. Didn't show the ability to be a quality NFL corner.
RB Kregg Lumpkin -- Roster fill. The Giants can do better with Andre Brown and Da'Rel Scott.
RB Ryan Torain -- Hardly played, but I've heard whispers the Giants like Torain. I can't see how they would like him more than what they already have.
DT Shaun Rogers -- His career is probably toast. The Giants could have used him 2012 when they -- again -- struggled against the run.
CB Brian Witherspoon -- He has missed two years with knee injuries. A camp invite at best.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
WR Victor Cruz -- Pay the man. For a long, long time.
S Stevie Brown -- He's a game-changer. Should be a starter from Day 1 next season.
RB Andre Brown -- Apologies to Ahmad Bradshaw, but would anyone really mind a Brown/David Wilson tandem next season with Da'Rel Scott or Torain as the third back?
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
DE Adrian Tracy -- Big and athletic. Can he earn significant playing time next season?
C Jim Cordle -- Decent backup and special teamer. Should return.
DE Justin Trattou -- Spent the season on IR. Should get a chance to make the team in training camp.