By JUSTIN TERRANOVA
In his brief and extremely successful stint as Giants general manager, Jerry Reese is not known for spending big bucks in free agency. Instead, Reese looks to fill major holes through the draft. So, don’t expect the Giants to be major players this free-agent season, but Reese will look for bargains where he can find them. Wide Receiver
Plaxico Burress’ legal situation makes this a very difficult decision for the Giants. One thing was clear: The Giants were in desperate need of a big-play receiver who demands double teams down the stretch. The loss of veteran Amani Toomer will require them to add some depth to the position.
The four top receivers remaining on the Giants depth chart, Steve Smith (65), Domenik Hixon (44), Sinorice Moss (38) and Manningham (4), have a total of 151 career NFL catches. But the Giants might look for the next Burress, if he doesn’t return this season himself, to come from this group rather than a mediocre free-agent class.
Available wide receivers: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Joey Galloway, Nate Washington, Devery Henderson, Michael Clayton, Marvin Harrison
Sleeper: Laveranues Coles
With the Jets dumping Coles, he might be a good fit for the Giants and would be an upgrade over Toomer. The same could be said about Harrison, but would the Giants take another chance on a receiver coming off a gun-related brush with the law (and a pretty serious one at that)? Extremely doubtful.
Boley is the most likely scenario here. He quietly had a solid start to his career in Atlanta and would be a nice pickup for the Giants to help in their run game. Scott would be the real prize, although the Giants would have to ante up to bring him to their side of the Meadowlands.
Scott’s top choice would be returning to the Ravens, but if Baltimore doles out big money for Ray Lewis, there may not be enough left to afford Scott. If Scott leaves Baltimore, the Jets would become the favorites to sign him with the connection to former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.
The Giants reportedly were interested in Cardinals LB Karlos Dansby, but Arizona put their franchise tag on him.
Defensive Tackle
Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield are solid up the middle for the Giants, but when Robbins was dealing with two broken hands the run defense suffered. Don’t expect Reese to break open the bank for this position, but at least add some depth to the Robbins, Cofield, Jay Alford rotation.
Available defensive tackles: Rocky Bernard
Sleeper: Tank Johnson
Bernard would be a solid choice for the Giants. The former Seahawk wouldn’t be too expensive and could fit in nicely with the players already on the Giants roster.
Johnson has talent, no one could question that. But like Marvin Harrison, Johnson has a history of gun-related legal issues that ended his time with the Bears. And if nothing else, the Giants are looking to avoid those kind of controversies. You may remember one of their players getting into some kind of trouble like that last season.
Safety
The Giants told James Butler he is welcome to test the free-agent market, but if he doesn’t find what he likes, there is a chance he could return to Big Blue.
The Giants will be in desperate need to add some experience to this position. Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson remain with three years experience combined.
Available safeties: Jermaine Phillips, Darren Sharper, James Butler, James Sanders, Brian Dawkins
Sleeper: Mike Brown
Jermaine Phillips, 30, would bring some experience to the Giants secondary, but would also bring a history of injury problems. He suffered two broken arms last season and played in 11 of the Bucs’ games.
Sharper would be an interesting option here, but he will turn 34 in November, which means if the Giants do pursue him it would be for a short-term contract — in the one- to two-year range.
That leaves explosive Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware to backup Jacobs. Not a ton of experience, but Bradshaw has proven himself as a dangerous threat in his two seasons with the Giants. Most Big Blue fans would like to see him get more opportunities, which he will unless Ward somehow returns.
Tight End
After a slow start, Kevin Boss stepped in nicely for Jeremy Shockey. The Giants also have decent depth at the position with Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson.
And with the exception of L.J. Smith, there are very few free-agent options at this position.
Offensive Line
The Giants have one of the more stable and effective offensive lines in the league. The only player leaving is backup center Grey Ruegamer.
Defensive End
The Giants are stacked at this position with Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and will have Osi Umenyiora coming back from injury this season.
If the Giants were to make a move, the Cardinals’ Bertrand Berry would be a good fit, but would be expensive.
Cornerback
Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are two high-level cornerbacks. Add to that Kevin Dockery, who likely will be back after the Giants tendered the restricted free agent. And with Terrell Thomas is coming off a solid rookie season the Giants have enough depth to not miss R.W. McQuarters.
Special Teams
Jeff Feagles is still one of, if not, the best punters in the game. Pro Bowl K John Carney will be leaving, but Big Blue still has 2008 NFC Championship game hero Lawrence Tynes, who missed most of last season. Tynes likely will reclaim the starting kicking job.