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We enter the second day of the "legal tampering" portion of 2014 NFL Free Agency. The New York Giants did not make any major news on Saturday, but there are plenty of headlines out there impacting the Giants. Let's take a look at some of them.
Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks Saturday circulated a letter to all NFL teams including medical assurances from a pair of premier specialists that he is healthy. Per Chris Mortensen of ESPN Nicks is "receptive to returning to the Giants" and willing to take a one-year contract.
Running back Ben Tate, a possibility for the Giants, says there is "less than a 2% chance" he will return to the Houston Texans. Tate might not be in line for the big pay day he is hoping for, however. Pro Football Talk reports that "there’s currently no market for running backs." That means the Giants can wait, and the price might not be terribly high.
The Giants have been considered to be players in free agency for guard Jon Asamoah of the Kansas City Chiefs. The New York Daily News reports that the Giants will have competition for Asamoah from the New York Jets. Asamoah, in fact, could have many suitors.
The Arizona Cardinals are apparently targeting offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, one of the many itnterior linemen who could be on the Giants' radar.
Sam Shields and the Green Bay Packers agreed Saturday on a four-year, $39 million deal which includes a $12.5 million signing bonus. If that sets the price for cornerbacks best guess is the Giants pass on the top guys, bargain hunt and try to make sure the re-sign Trumaine McBride. The Giants are apparently interested in Tennessee Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner district.
Newsday's Tom Rock says "the initial overtures [To Verner] do show is that the Big Blue is not going to afraid to throw some big green around this offseason. Think what you will of the front office, they are not dumb. They know how highly valued Verner is and that they’re not going to be able to get him at any kind of discount (on the contrary, based on the Shields deal). They may not wind up with Verner in the end, but just by being there in the beginning they are sending a clear message."
The Giants apparently made an offer to defensive end Justin Tuck before the negotiating window opened. Honestly, that doesn't surprise me -- and neither does the fact that Tuck passed on the deal in order to test the market. The Giants have also reportedly expressed interest in Baltimore Ravens' defensive end Arthur Jones.
Use this as an Open Thread to discuss free agency news and rumors throughout the day