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The New York Giants have a lengthy list of unrestricted free agents as they begin re-tooling their roster for the 2013 NFL season. Back in January I took an early look at the list and offered some thoughts on who would stay and would go when free agency begins on March 12.
With a month to go now before free agency begins for real, I thought I would take another look at the list. We know a little bit more about the potential market at this point, and we've already seen the Giants re-sign a couple of their own players. I will make a 'stay' or 'go' prediction with each player.
So, here we go.
Ramses Barden -- In January, I said "Time for some other team to see if they can get anything out of him." No reason to change that opinion now. Prediction: Gone
Will Beatty -- I still see the young left tackle as the top priority among the unrestricted free agents. The Giants might have to use the franchise tag on him. Prediction: Will stay
Travis Beckum -- In January I wrote "wasted a roster spot for four years." I still feel that way. Could Beckum get a one-year reprieve if the Giants lose Martellus Bennett? Personally, I'd rather go in another direction. Prediction: Gone
Martellus Bennett -- We wrote Sunday about possible interest in Bennett from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I just have the feeling the Giants may have to get into a bidding war for Bennett, and they might have a hard time winning it. Prediction: Gone
Rocky Bernard -- The Giants will move on from Bernard. Prediction: Gone
Chase Blackburn -- This one is sooooo tough. The Giants need to get better at linebacker, and Blackburn is probably not part of the solution. The only way I see him returning is if the Giants are absolutely unable to address middle linebacker in the draft or free agency. Prediction: Gone
Kevin Boothe -- In January I wrote "The Giants have enough other issues without creating one by letting him go." That is even more true today. Prediction: Will stay
David Carr -- An OK backup for Eli Manning. I doubt there will be a market for him. Prediction: Will stay
Domenik Hixon -- Another very difficult call here. The Giants won't be able to offer him big money, nor will they be able to offer him more than the No. 4 receiver/punt returner role. I think, though, the Giants would like him back. Prediction: Will stay
Bruce Johnson -- Hasn't played since the middle of the 2010 season due to injuries. Prediction: Gone
Sean Locklear -- I will stick with what I wrote in January. "Whether he starts or not, Locklear should be brought back to provide veteran depth at offensive tackle." I would prefer the Giants choose Locklear over David Diehl for offensive line depth. It's a role Locklear can -- willingly fill. Prediction: Will stay
Kregg Lumpkin -- There won't be a long line of suitors. He has some third-down ability. Prediction: Will stay
Kenny Phillips -- Another very difficult call. All of the advanced statistics, plus Perry Fewell's tendency to be more aggressive when Phillips is on the field, tell you he is still a good player. The chronic knee issues and the fact that a market for Phillips might develop seem to make it unlikely he would be back. The Carolina Panthers are rumors to be among potential suitors for Phillips. Prediction: Gone
Keith Rivers -- If Rivers could ever stay healthy he might be a pretty good player. He has never been able to, however. Prediction: Gone
Shaun Rogers -- Already re-signed.
Justin Tryon -- His work at corner left something to be desired in 2012. His work on special teams was, however, exemplary. Prediction: Will stay
Lawrence Tynes -- He has made a lot of big kicks for the Giants over the years, and overall is a perfectly adequate placekicker. Which is the problem. He is likely to want to be paid like a top-tier kicker, and the Giants just can't do that. Prediction: Gone
Osi Umenyiora -- I don't care what he says, or John Mara says. I have a hard time believing there is more than sliver of a chance he will return to the Giants in 2013. Prediction: Gone
Brian Witherspoon -- Missed two seasons now with knee injuries. I can't imagine the Giants would want to bring both Witherspoon and Terrell Thomas to training camp. Prediction: Gone