Good morning, New York Giants fans! Free agency begins at 4 p.m. ET today, this edition of the notebook will have lots of free agency thoughts and information. I will have some of my own thoughts later today, but for now let's what folks around the Inter-Google are talking and writing about.
Tolbert says he can fill Jacobs void - Giants Blog - ESPN New York
The Giants can use a big power back now that Brandon Jacobs has been released. And San Diego free agent Mike Tolbert believes he can be a nice replacement for Jacobs.
Tolbert said he is "definitely" interested in the Giants as free agency begins on Tuesday. But the 5-9, 243-pound running back, who has scored a total of 17 rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons, likely won't come at a bargain price. But he likes the offense the Giants run.
"They’ve got a dynamic quarterback that puts the ball all over the field," Tolbert said on SirusXM NFL radio when asked by host Adam Schein what he thinks about the Giants. "He checks the ball down a lot to his running backs, which is something that I think I do very well is catching the ball out of the backfield. And then they had that 1-2 punch with [Ahmad] Bradshaw and [Brandon] Jacobs and without Jacobs there that kind of leaves a hole in the offense."
"And I think I could fill that void pretty good," added Tolbert, who discussed Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, and Green Bay as other teams he's interested in.
Giants' free agency: Mario Manningham, Steve Smith and more | NJ.com
Do veteran-minimum deals excite you? Well, then you’re absolutely going to love the Giants’ free agency period this year.…
Okay, okay, if we haven’t learned by now that championships aren’t won in the offseason, especially after the patient Giants stuck to their plan while the Eagles went on a shopping spree last summer, then we’re not paying attention and we’re never going to learn our lesson.
So this year, expect the Giants to once again play it cool and try bringing a few pieces back to the puzzle while making fiscally responsible decisions on those pieces coming in from elsewhere.
The Giants' cornerback situation - NFC East Blog - ESPN
A year ago, the New York Giants were able to sign free-agent defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka to a team-favorable contract because he was coming off a serious neck injury and therefore unable to attain maximum market value for a player of his considerable talents. This was fortunate for the Giants, as Kiwanuka became a vital contributor to their Super Bowl run in a hybrid LB/DE role.
The Giants are up against the salary cap again, and once again they have to try and figure out which of their own free agents to sign. The Kiwanuka case applies here because of Terrell Thomas, the cornerback who tore his ACL last preseason and missed all of 2011 as a result. Thomas is a free agent, as is the healthy Aaron Ross. And given their cap concerns, the Giants seem more likely to try and sign Thomas than Ross. Thomas, you see, is likely to cost less, because he's got the injury.
Giants not expected to re-sign Dave Tollefson | NJ.com
Dave Tollefson is not expected to re-sign with the Giants, according to someone with knowledge of discussions between the defensive end and the organization.
Is there still value with Brandon Jacobs? | National Football Post
Here’s what I’m thinking with Brandon Jacobs: a situational RB that can be targeted as a second tier free agent when the market opens up on Tuesday afternoon.
Jacobs can fill a secondary role at this stage of his career. At this point in his career and with is age (will be 30 years old entering the 2012 season), clubs looking for help at the RB position must know what they are getting in return from Jacobs.
There is value here, but it is limited.
Giants 2012 free agents: Tracking signings and re-signings | NJ.com
Plus, some projections on what might happen
Looking for a safety? Landry should top the list | National Football Post
In a 'light' free agent class, Landry is the best option.
Giants don't have much (cap) room to maneuver | New York Daily News
Cowboys, Redskins say they complied with salary cap in 2010 | ProFootballTalk
PFW's top 100 free agents - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Randy Moss agrees to one-year deal with 49ers
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