Giants news: "State of the franchise" affecting Eli Manning talks?

Good morning, new York Giants fans! Here are some headlines to start your Wednesday morning.

Phil Simms -- Eli deal not easy for Giants

This offseason, one of the main focuses in training camp has been the extension talks between the Giants and franchise quarterback Eli Manning. The two-time Super Bowl MVP is set to become one of the highest paid players in the league, but he's low on the totem pole of the Giants' laundry list of issues to deal with. Ex-Giants and now long-time NFL analystPhil Simms cited both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the linebacking core behind Jon Beason, the defensive back depth and the ongoing Jason Pierre-Paul saga all as legitimate concerns for Big Blue.

"I don't think paying him is as easy as everyone says," Simms said on Tuesday at a CBS preseason media event in New York City. "There's just so much going on with the Giants right now. Is Eli's contract the No. 1 thing you want to get done? I don't know. There's just a lot going on with the organization."

Simms said that this uncertainty and struggle of the franchise to field a playoff team is one of the chief reasons why Manning has yet to sign on the dotted line, and why Simms believes he won't sign a new contract before the start of the regular season.

"If everything was really stable with the Giants, that [Manning contract] would have been done a month ago," Simms said. "If they thought this team was loaded and ready, that thing would have been done. It's the state of the franchise right now, not being in the playoffs for three years, all these question marks."

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The Packers' free agent options are slim at wide receiver, so they may be hoping the Giants cut James Jones.

The Giants have taken in a new linebacker, Ashlee Palmer, formerly of the Detroit Lions.

Weston Richburg missed practice Tuesday due to a knee injury.

Odell Beckham Jr. thinks the Jaguars were targeting him in last weekend's preseason game.

Around the NFL

Evan Mathis, thought to be an offensive line free agent target for the Giants, signed with the Broncos on a one-year contract.

Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick has torn both his ACL and MCL in his right knee and will miss the entire season.

Michael Vick has signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers to be the backup to Ben Roethlisberger.

The Rams have employed 2015 sixth-round pick Bud Sasser, who is unable to play due to a pre-existing heart condition, as an external football affairs coordinator.

Kam Chancellor's holdout may not be the best option for him.