New York Giants News and Notes: March Madness Friday Edition

Good morning fellow Giants fans, and welcome to March Madness Friday. I work from home yet I am one of the suckers who paid $3.99 to be able to watch all of the games live on my PC, which is cool because I can minimize the screen and continue working, enlarging the screen during the last few seconds of a tight game, then getting back to work. But hey, you came here for football talk! The Giants signed free agent safety Chris Horton, who did not play in 2011 but was with the Redskins from 2008 to 2010. The frenzy is dwindling, but there have been a few moves in free agency. Here is the latest.......

Mario Manningham leaves San Francisco without a contract, according to source | NJ.com
Manningham left San Francisco today -- his first visit with a club -- without signing a deal with the 49ers and will visit the St. Louis Rams tonight and tomorrow. ESPN is reporting the Dolphins and Bills have also shown interest in the wide receiver, whose chances of returning to the Giants are slim to none.

It should be interesting to see how this one plays out, but I really wonder how many teams would want to talk to Manningham if not for that one circus catch in the Super Bowl.

Giants Free Agency 2012: Chris Horton Signs With New York, According To Report - SB Nation New York
Horton was drafted out of UCLA in the 7th round (249th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Horton was a regular starter during his rookie season but saw his playing time decline afterwards. From 2008-2010, Horton made 122 tackles (91 solo), 1 sack and three interceptions. He was cut from the Redskins roster last season and didn't play any games.

Kennedy insists "Giants aren't out of picture" | New York Daily News
"Back to training...Will keep u guys posted on my next move & No The Giants arent out of the picture :-) #TEAMGRIZZ," he tweeted Thursday afternoon. The tweet hardly means that Kennedy will be back next season; it only leave a glimmer of hope. It's likely that the 32-year-old Kennedy, who once described himself as the league's finest defensive tackle, mostly wants to see quality playing time, and that's something that rarely happened last season. A return to the Giants would not lead to more snaps, either, not with Linval Joseph and Chris Canty around, young Marvin Austin expected to be healthy, and plenty of NASCAR line options for the Giants.

Shockey takes combative approach into cyberspace | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper
While the exchange was retweeted throughout the day, it shed no light on where Shockey will end up this season. Shockey, 31, has seen his receptions total drop every year since his Pro Bowl season of 2006, culminating in a career-low 37 catches last season while splitting time with Greg Olsen. Shockey said near midseason he wanted to return to Carolina. And while the Panthers are open to bringing Shockey back, they are reluctant to pay him the $4 million he made last year.

While this was amusing on Thursday, I wanted you guys to see this article from Charlotte that points out one important fact--Shockey is not likely staying in Carolina. He also might have trouble finding work outside Oakland or Philadelphia if he keeps mouthing off like that.

Victor Cruz meets fans at new Modell's - NorthJersey.com
Amidst cheers of "Cruuuuz," New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz gave a big wave to fans lined up outside the new Modell's Sporting Goods store on Route 23 south in the Brentwood Plaza, who were anxiously awaiting the chance to meet the Super Bowl champion during a meet and greet (last) Saturday.

Bills land Mario Williams - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Megatron and Mario, the richest players in the NFL. When linebacker-end Mario Williams signed a six-year contract Thursday with the Buffalo Bills worth $100 million, $50 million guaranteed, he became the highest-paid defensive player in league history. Williams’ mega-deal followed by one day the $132 million contract the Detroit Lions gave their star receiver, Calvin Johnson.

Titans agree to terms with free agent, Hutchinson - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The Tennessee Titans made boosting their offensive line a big focus in free agency, and they landed All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson with a multi-year contract Thursday.