GIANTS' WR MARIO MANNINGHAM WAITING TO CATCH DEAL

[RoanokeFan]

GIANTS' WR MARIO MANNINGHAM WAITING TO CATCH DEAL

"The one player most Giants fans want to know about, as in “Do you think he
will return?’’ is Mario Manningham, the fleet receiver who made up for a quiet
regular season with a sterling playoff run and a star turn in Super Bowl XLVI.
<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">


Given that Manningham wants to start and wants a big contract -- neither of
which the Giants are prepared to deliver -- there is virtually no chance he will
be back.</p>


The wild NFL spending spree for receivers Tuesday, the first day of free
agency, did not include Manningham, who sat back as Vincent Jackson (five years,
$55.6 million), Marques Colston (five years, $40 million), Pierre Garcon (five
years, $42.5 million), Robert Meachem (four years, $25.9 million) and Reggie
Wayne (three years, $17.5 million) all got new deals, and Brandon Marshall was
traded from the Dolphins to the Bears. </p>


Clearly, Manningham on the open market was not viewed as a must-have,
first-day acquisition, but he has attracted interest from the 49ers, Dolphins
and Bills, according to ESPN.</p>


All three potential destinations make sense. The 49ers, starved for help at
receiver, have yanked Randy Moss out of retirement. The Dolphins need someone to
replace Marshall, and the Bills failed in an attempt to sign Meachem. </p>


The Vikings also might have some interest in Manningham, whose 38-yard,
over-the-shoulder reception while tip-toeing the left sideline in the closing
minutes of Super Bowl XLVI proved to be the key play in the come-from-behind
21-17 victory over the Patriots.</p>


Another Giants free agent, cornerback Aaron Ross, also is attracting
interest. He’s scheduled to visit with the Bengals on Thursday then meet with
the Redskins on Friday. </p>


Ross, 29, was a starter on both of the Giants Super Bowl championship teams
the past four years. Ross three years ago lost his starting job to Terrell
Thomas but came up big last season when Thomas went down in August with a torn
anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. </p>


Ross stepped in and started all 20 games, 16 in the regular season and four
in the postseason. He did not have a spectacular season but he was solid,
especially late in the season, and without his durability the Giants would have
come up short in the defensive backfield."</p>
</div>

[Flip Empty]

I imagine Mario will receive a contract in the realm of Robert Meachem's 4/25.
I thought the Bears might take a look; they could do with a speedster opposite Marshall. Hester is not the answer there.

[G.I. Ants]

Laurent Robinson signed 5/32.5 w/ 14 guaranteed. If he got that then I know Rio is gonna receive a well deserved payday.

[Gmen2005]

Hopefully his agent does most of the talking [:P]

[G.I. Ants]

[quote user="Gmen2005"]Hopefully his agent does most of the talking [:P]
[/quote]That would be the smart thing to do.

[MikeIsaGiant]

After watching the SB highlights/playoffs highlights, I'm going to miss him if he leaves..

[JJC7301]

[quote user="G.I. Ants"]Laurent Robinson signed 5/32.5 w/ 14 guaranteed. If he got that then I know Rio is gonna receive a well deserved payday.
[/quote]
+1. He will. He'll get a # 2 WR contract like he deserves.

It wasn't just his SB performance either -- he had a great entire playoffs this year. Didn't he score 3 TDs in the 3 NFC games, plus the historic catch in the SB?

He's had some very good regular seasons for us, too. Not great, but very good. Guy is a player and I'll miss him.

[jomo]

I've been tough on MM but he is clearly better than Meacham.

[Flip Empty]

He's probably better than Garçon, but that means little in free agency.

[ShockeyShow]

He'll get a 4 /30 with 16 mill guaranteed IMO, and I couldn't be happier for him.

Great Giant, and that catch was one that I'll never forget ( it still amazes me every time I watch it)