Here are five things I would like to see the Giants do that have nothing to do, at least not directly, with the draft.
- Offer a contract to Willie Ponder, shown above returning a kickoff with the Giants. During the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Giants Ponder was one of the league's most dangerous kickoff return men. Last year the Giants cut him and wound up struggling to get the ball past the 20-yard line on most returns. He's an unrestricted free agent, and it might be worth a gamble to see if he can re-capture the magic.
- Find a veteran backup quarterback. If Eli Manning gets hurt, are you really comfortable with the idea of handing the reigns to the hefty lefty, Jared Lorenzen? I'm not, although the 285-pound QB would complete the Giants new power backfield. Drew Bledsoe, anyone?
- Cut DT William Joseph. New York's 2003 No. 1 pick is nothing more than a waste of a roster space. In four years he has totaled 72 tackles and 7 sacks. Justin Tuck is a better player. Cutting Joseph would allow the Giants to get Tuck, the teams's fourth defensive end, on the field more by moving him inside.
- Find a veteran placekicker to compete with rookie Josh Huston. The Giants lost Jay Feely to the Dolphins, and when Miami finally gets around to releasing Olindo Mare New York should pounce. Failing that, veteran kickers Billy Cundiff and John Hall are available. They might not be better than Huston at this point, but the rookie can't be handed the job without a fight.
- Sign a veteran linebacker just for depth. The Giants appear set on letting Brandon Short go, and Reggie Torbor is replaceable. Names like Wali Rainer (Texans) and Keith Adams (Dolphins), who are also reputed to be excellent special teams players, have been mentioned for this role.