RoanokeFan
02-20-2012, 01:13 PM
GIANTS' FREE AGENCY: STRUT 'EM OR CUT 'EM - WIDE RECEIVERS (http://www.bigblueview.com/2012/2/20/2811334/new-york-giants-free-agency-strut-em-or-cut-em-wide-receivers)
"To everything, there is a season. For the New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants) and
its fan base, the season has been magnificent. The offseason, however, may prove
to be somewhat of a double edged sword. There are some very key players who are
now Free Agents and they just might find themselves in different colored jerseys
in the 2012 NFL season - about the same time that they receive their Super Bowl
rings.<div class="entry-body">
In this edition, we will take a look at the wide receivers whom we stand to
lose, if the price is not right. Interestingly enough, two Free Agents on the
market this offseason are two of the best receivers that Big Blue have had on
their roster, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2208/plaxico-burress">Plaxico
Burress</a> and Steve Smith. Is it likely that these used-to-be fan favorites
will find themselves catching a pass from Eli Manning in the 2012 season? Not
unless they're playing safety for the opposition. Let's take a look at the
receivers who may or may not be on the chopping block.</p>
<p class="extend-divide"><a name="storyjump"></a>http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg</p>
First up, and probably the biggest FA question of the New York Giants
offseason, is Mario Manningham. Mario was the G-Men's third-round draft pick in
2008. Manningham came from the Michigan Wolverines where he put together 137
receptions for 2,310 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Wolverines list him as one of
the members of their "Team Of The Decade."</p>
Manningham has played his entire four-year NFL career with the New York
Giants. He was used minimally in his first year, having only caught four passes.
In 2009, his second year, he had the second most receiving yards on the team.
His impact on the Giants' passing game was undeniable from that season on.</p>
In 2010, Manningham maintained his second place status as a Giants receiver.
But with only three more receptions than the previous year, he managed to
surpass his reception yardage best by one-hundred and twenty-two yards. He was
and is, without a doubt, a serious deep ball threat and a clutch receiver. The
"Man2Man Connection" (Manning to Mannigham) is something to behold.</p>
This past season, Mario was not utilized as in years past, largely due to Victor Cruz (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/109584/victor-cruz).
But would the Giants have made the playoffs, survived the run to Indianapolis
and come out champions of Super Bowl XLVI if it were not for mario Manningham?
The short and undeniable answer, no. The "Man2Man Connection" late in the fourth
quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, will forever go down in history as one of the most
perfectly executed plays in the NFL. Football scholars could endlessly dispute
about which was the more crucial and graceful portion, Eli Manning's (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2235/eli-manning)
pass or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34493/mario-manningham">Mario
Manningham's</a> catch.</p>
There is no doubt that Mario Manningham has been an instrumental part of the
New York Giants, since being thrown full force into the fray. He is a receiver
who can do it all. The same could have been said about Steve Smith, who the
front office somehow let slip through their fingers last offseason. That move
proved to be the best thing for the G-men, of course. So, the question could be
raised - does Eli Manning make his receivers look better than they actually are?
With Mario Manningham's contract up, a guy who has only fumbled twice in his
entire career, one half of the "Man2Man Connection" - do you strut 'em or cut
'em?</p>
Next up is Domenik Hixon (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2934/domenik-hixon).
Hixon is in his sixth season in the NFL, fourth with the Giants. Domenik sat out
all of the 2010 season due to an injury he suffered in the first Christening
practice of MetLife Stadium. Hixon has no stats for 2006 and only a fumble for
2007. He was acquired from the Denver Broncos (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/denver-broncos) for
the 2008 season, in which he recorded one reception for five yards and one
rushing attempt for negative-eight yards. Of his six years in the league, Hixon
has only started ten games. Giants fans are certainly familiar with his
receiving skills. His season ending injury against the St Louis Rams (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams) showcased his
playmaking ability and that he would go to any lengths for his team.</p>
In the three full years that Hixon put in with the Giants, he established
himself as the best kickoff returner in franchise history, something the G-Men
have been lacking ever since. He holds the franchise record for most kickoff
return yards in a season, 1,291 and most returns in a season, 57. Hixon's
back-to-back seasons ending injuries leave plenty of room for questions. Since
he sat out all of 2010 and just about all of 2011, there is no way, by any
stretch of the imagination, that he could honestly expect more money if contract
negotiations are to be had between him and the front office. That could leave
the Giants with a hell of a steal..or a soon-to-be name on the pup/IR list.
Domenik Hixon, do you strut 'em or cut 'em?</p>
Lastly, we have a player who was one of the reasons that the Giants made it
to the Super Bowl, Devin Thomas (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34516/devin-thomas).
Without the famed strip from Jacquain Williams, near game's end against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-francisco-49ers">San Francisco
49ers</a>, and Devin Thomas' recovery, the G-Men may never have been singing "I
Got A Ring" on the way back home from the Super Bowl. This guy was definitely
"All In" when it mattered and fought his way down field, every step of the way,
to make that recovery. But is that enough to save him?</p>
The Giants picked up Thomas in 2010, after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington
Redskins</a> and Carolina Panthers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/carolina-panthers)
released him. Three teams in one year - that's got to be a record. As a
receiver, he only had three receptions, this past season, for thirty-seven
yards. But it was his ability to return the ball that made him useful. The
return game for Big Blue was not what one would call effective last season. In
fact, special teams was a huge hinderance. Matt Dodge (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108508/matt-dodge),
'nuff said.</p>
Devin Thomas had four more kick returns than last year's leaders, D.J. Ware (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1283/d-j-ware) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34588/darius-reynaud">Darius
Reynaud</a>, who were both tied at twenty-one. What Thomas did with those four
more returns was surpass Ware and Reynaud by one-hundred and seventy-five yards.
To sum up, Devin Thomas is the best return man that the Giants have had since,
guess who, Domenik Hixon. You have to appreciate what Thomas did this season as
a return man. Giants fans will have to keep a special place in their heart for
his game cinching fumble recovery. But, as the saying goes, you don't have to go
home but you can't stay here. Do you strut 'em or cut 'em?"</p></div>
"To everything, there is a season. For the New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants) and
its fan base, the season has been magnificent. The offseason, however, may prove
to be somewhat of a double edged sword. There are some very key players who are
now Free Agents and they just might find themselves in different colored jerseys
in the 2012 NFL season - about the same time that they receive their Super Bowl
rings.<div class="entry-body">
In this edition, we will take a look at the wide receivers whom we stand to
lose, if the price is not right. Interestingly enough, two Free Agents on the
market this offseason are two of the best receivers that Big Blue have had on
their roster, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2208/plaxico-burress">Plaxico
Burress</a> and Steve Smith. Is it likely that these used-to-be fan favorites
will find themselves catching a pass from Eli Manning in the 2012 season? Not
unless they're playing safety for the opposition. Let's take a look at the
receivers who may or may not be on the chopping block.</p>
<p class="extend-divide"><a name="storyjump"></a>http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg</p>
First up, and probably the biggest FA question of the New York Giants
offseason, is Mario Manningham. Mario was the G-Men's third-round draft pick in
2008. Manningham came from the Michigan Wolverines where he put together 137
receptions for 2,310 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Wolverines list him as one of
the members of their "Team Of The Decade."</p>
Manningham has played his entire four-year NFL career with the New York
Giants. He was used minimally in his first year, having only caught four passes.
In 2009, his second year, he had the second most receiving yards on the team.
His impact on the Giants' passing game was undeniable from that season on.</p>
In 2010, Manningham maintained his second place status as a Giants receiver.
But with only three more receptions than the previous year, he managed to
surpass his reception yardage best by one-hundred and twenty-two yards. He was
and is, without a doubt, a serious deep ball threat and a clutch receiver. The
"Man2Man Connection" (Manning to Mannigham) is something to behold.</p>
This past season, Mario was not utilized as in years past, largely due to Victor Cruz (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/109584/victor-cruz).
But would the Giants have made the playoffs, survived the run to Indianapolis
and come out champions of Super Bowl XLVI if it were not for mario Manningham?
The short and undeniable answer, no. The "Man2Man Connection" late in the fourth
quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, will forever go down in history as one of the most
perfectly executed plays in the NFL. Football scholars could endlessly dispute
about which was the more crucial and graceful portion, Eli Manning's (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2235/eli-manning)
pass or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34493/mario-manningham">Mario
Manningham's</a> catch.</p>
There is no doubt that Mario Manningham has been an instrumental part of the
New York Giants, since being thrown full force into the fray. He is a receiver
who can do it all. The same could have been said about Steve Smith, who the
front office somehow let slip through their fingers last offseason. That move
proved to be the best thing for the G-men, of course. So, the question could be
raised - does Eli Manning make his receivers look better than they actually are?
With Mario Manningham's contract up, a guy who has only fumbled twice in his
entire career, one half of the "Man2Man Connection" - do you strut 'em or cut
'em?</p>
Next up is Domenik Hixon (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2934/domenik-hixon).
Hixon is in his sixth season in the NFL, fourth with the Giants. Domenik sat out
all of the 2010 season due to an injury he suffered in the first Christening
practice of MetLife Stadium. Hixon has no stats for 2006 and only a fumble for
2007. He was acquired from the Denver Broncos (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/denver-broncos) for
the 2008 season, in which he recorded one reception for five yards and one
rushing attempt for negative-eight yards. Of his six years in the league, Hixon
has only started ten games. Giants fans are certainly familiar with his
receiving skills. His season ending injury against the St Louis Rams (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams) showcased his
playmaking ability and that he would go to any lengths for his team.</p>
In the three full years that Hixon put in with the Giants, he established
himself as the best kickoff returner in franchise history, something the G-Men
have been lacking ever since. He holds the franchise record for most kickoff
return yards in a season, 1,291 and most returns in a season, 57. Hixon's
back-to-back seasons ending injuries leave plenty of room for questions. Since
he sat out all of 2010 and just about all of 2011, there is no way, by any
stretch of the imagination, that he could honestly expect more money if contract
negotiations are to be had between him and the front office. That could leave
the Giants with a hell of a steal..or a soon-to-be name on the pup/IR list.
Domenik Hixon, do you strut 'em or cut 'em?</p>
Lastly, we have a player who was one of the reasons that the Giants made it
to the Super Bowl, Devin Thomas (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34516/devin-thomas).
Without the famed strip from Jacquain Williams, near game's end against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-francisco-49ers">San Francisco
49ers</a>, and Devin Thomas' recovery, the G-Men may never have been singing "I
Got A Ring" on the way back home from the Super Bowl. This guy was definitely
"All In" when it mattered and fought his way down field, every step of the way,
to make that recovery. But is that enough to save him?</p>
The Giants picked up Thomas in 2010, after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington
Redskins</a> and Carolina Panthers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/carolina-panthers)
released him. Three teams in one year - that's got to be a record. As a
receiver, he only had three receptions, this past season, for thirty-seven
yards. But it was his ability to return the ball that made him useful. The
return game for Big Blue was not what one would call effective last season. In
fact, special teams was a huge hinderance. Matt Dodge (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108508/matt-dodge),
'nuff said.</p>
Devin Thomas had four more kick returns than last year's leaders, D.J. Ware (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1283/d-j-ware) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34588/darius-reynaud">Darius
Reynaud</a>, who were both tied at twenty-one. What Thomas did with those four
more returns was surpass Ware and Reynaud by one-hundred and seventy-five yards.
To sum up, Devin Thomas is the best return man that the Giants have had since,
guess who, Domenik Hixon. You have to appreciate what Thomas did this season as
a return man. Giants fans will have to keep a special place in their heart for
his game cinching fumble recovery. But, as the saying goes, you don't have to go
home but you can't stay here. Do you strut 'em or cut 'em?"</p></div>