Good morning fellow Giants fans. If you haven't started developing your illness in order to miss work Thursday or even both Thursday and Friday in order to watch March Madness, today would be the day to start acting sick. If you are a supervisor reading this, watch out for those who start acting sick today.
Meanwhile, free agency is off and running. The Giants kicked things off Tuesday by re-signing cornerback Terrell Thomas. Here is a clip from the Giants' press release:
Thomas has worked tirelessly in rehabilitation to strengthen his knee and expects to be at full strength for the start of training camp. "My knee feels great," Thomas said. "I'm sprinting - almost - backpedaling, cutting, jumping, lunging, doing all that stuff. So now the fun starts in the rehab process, which is opening up to everything."
The Giants also re-signed corners Michael Coe and Justin Tryon; and added tackle Joel Reinders and tight end Larry Donnell, both of whom were undrafted free agents. Reinders, who played basketball in college at the University of Waterloo in Canada, was injured while in training camp for the Browns in 2010 and did not play in 2011; and Donnell, who went to Grambling State, has not signed with an NFL team until now. Perhaps Jerry Reese is attempting to strike undrafted gold the way he did with Victor Cruz. Meanwhile, what else is going on out there?.....
Giants free-agent cornerback Aaron Ross to visit Cincinnati Bengals | NJ.com
When Terrell Thomas re-signed with the Giants today, it was obvious Aaron Ross will be headed elsewhere. Perhaps the landing spot will be in Cincinnati. The free-agent cornerback will visit the Bengals on Thursday, according to someone informed of Ross' upcoming itinerary. The person requested anonymity because negotiations are ongoing.
Martellus Bennett visiting New York, Giants hope to sign him quickly | ProFootballTalk
The New York Giants have a need at tight end, and they’re hoping to move quickly to fill that need by taking a player away from a division rival. Martellus Bennett, a tight end who has played his entire four-year career with the Dallas Cowboys, is on his way to New York for a visit, and the Giants have identified him as their top target and hope to get him signed quickly
NY Giants Justin Tuck wants Brandon Jacobs back with defending Super Bowl Champions - NY Daily News
For the last seven years, tailback Brandon Jacobs was one of the Giants’ most vocal players, an emotional runner who often spoke his mind. And now that he’s been cut, his teammates are holding out hope that he may return next season. Justin Tuck said as much on Tuesday night, suggesting that Jacobs might somehow find himself back in a Giants uniform in 2012. "I hear it’s still a chance that he might end up being back," Tuck said before he was honored at the Chabad Center for Jewish Discovery’s Founders Dinner Gala in Manhattan. "And you cross your fingers about that."
NFL Busts Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins Over Salary Cap Shenanigans - The Daily Fix - WSJ
Back in the 2010 NFL season, the league’s salary cap was uncapped, a freak circumstance in place only because the league’s labor deal was set to expire. Because NFL teams will often take any competitive advantage they can find, franchises were warned not to frontload any new contracts so that the bulk of the money would be paid during that uncapped year, and not in subsequent seasons when the cap would be more regularly adhered to. Most teams listened. But there were alleged exceptions: On Monday, the NFL announced that the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins will lose millions of dollars in cap space for apparently ignoring the league’s warning.
The only way that could be better is if the Eagles were the third team busted. But we shouldn't get too greedy.
Pats take closer look at UMass talent - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
The success of former UMass receiver Victor Cruz with the New York Giants has garnered more attention for the Minuteman football program of late. In addition to Cruz, James Ihedigbo (Patriots), Vladimir Ducasse (Jets), Jeromy Miles (Bengals) and Jeremy Horne (Chiefs) are UMass alums playing in the NFL.
Could New York Giants WR Mario Manningham Land In New England? : New England Patriots
The Giants likely can’t afford to pay Manningham, given that he’s their #3 receiver and his talent is such that he can and should be paid like a high #2 or low #1 receiver. He would be ideal in New England, although Patriot fans would have to live with signing the man who made the incredible fourth-quarter catch in the Super Bowl that jumpstarted the Giants’ winning drive.
Here are some other moves that happened on Tuesday and may happen Wednesday.....
2012 NFL free agency -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign Vincent Jackson to five-year, $55M deal - ESPN
Free-agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson has signed a five-year, $55.55 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jackson was one of the top wideouts available in free agency once San Diego decided not to give him the franchise tag. It didn't take him long to hook up with Tampa Bay and quarterback Josh Freeman, in whose honor Jackson got all those 5s in the deal; Freeman wears uniform No. 5.
Matt Flynn the latest backup QB to find himself in high demand - Don Banks - SI.com
It's unlikely helicopters will be involved in the news coverage of where fourth-year Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn lands in free agency, but that doesn't mean the pursuit of the second most sought-after passer in this year's market will lack for significance or intrigue.
Redskins add WRs Garcon, Morgan in free agency - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The Washington Redskins moved aggressively in the first minutes of free agency Tuesday to find some targets for Robert Griffin III, agreeing to terms with Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan while pursuing Eddie Royal.
Source: Reggie Wayne will return to Indianapolis Colts - NFL - SI.com
Reggie Wayne never wanted to leave Indianapolis. He won't have to. The longtime receiver has agreed in principle to a new deal that could keep him in a Colts uniform for the rest of his career,
Owner: Titans will meet with Manning on Wednesday - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The Tennessee Titans will be meeting with Peyton Manning on Wednesday, according to owner Bud Adams. Adams told WSMV-TV the Titans’ contingent will fly out of Nashville on Wednesday and spend the day with Manning, a meeting delayed apparently by trouble getting a co-pilot for his private plane. Adams told the TV station he thinks Manning really is interested in the Titans’ offer, and he expects a quick decision from the four-time MVP.
Colston stays with Saints, Marshall to Bears | Fox News
Marques Colston is staying put in New Orleans. Brandon Marshall is headed to Chicago. Hours before free agency began Tuesday, the Saints' star receiver agreed to a five-year contract to remain in the Big Easy. A bit later, Miami sent its top wideout, Marshall, to the Bears for two draft picks.
Seahawks | Seahawks re-sign Red Bryant | Seattle Times Newspaper
The Seahawks didn't make any additions the first day of NFL free agency. They did something even more important for their defense: They avoided subtraction by reaching an agreement to re-sign defensive end Red Bryant, who was an unrestricted free agent.
Stay with us, as I have a feeling there will be a flurry of free agent activity these next few days. What else might the Giants do? Post your thoughts below, as we sort of officially begin defense of the Lombardi Trophy.....