E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer
for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of
only four sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls.
Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

GIANTS IN THE FINAL COUNTDOWN OF GETTING READY FOR FREE AGENCY

By DAVE KLEIN
So what's going on with the Giants as they get ready for Friday's opening of the Unrestricted Free Agent period?

A few things, of course, none of them critically important, and if there are a few such items, they aren't about to act in full disclosure.

It is becoming apparent that among the UFA candidates on the roster who the Giants expect to lose are wide receiver Amani Toomer, strong safety James Butler, defensive end Renaldo Wynn, defensive tackle-end Jerome McDougle, quarterback Anthony Wright and, in all likelihood, running back Derrick Ward.

They have already parted ways with kicker John Carney, cornerback Sam Madison, safety Sammy Knight and running back Reuben Droughns, will probably do likewise with quarterback Anthony Wright and are on the fence, so to speak, with guard-center Grey Ruegamer and cornerback-return specialist R.W. McQuarters -- they'd like to retain that last pair but not for a lot of money.

They have also placed the franchise tag on running back Brandon Jacobs, keeping him out of harm's way starting Friday. They have signed cornerback Kevin Dockery to a Restricted Free Agent Exclusive Rights Contract which will cost another team a second-round draft pick to match and supposedly have clarified their needs.

Have you?

If you suggest that they need a wide receiver, outside linebacker, offensive tackle, defensive tackle and middle linebacker, you're on the right page. But how do they go about acquiring those guys, some of whom will have to play right now?

There are reports that the Giants and the Jets will be the final combatants in the UFA battle for outside linebacker Bart Scott of the Baltimore Ravens, and while you might think that the new Jets' coach, Rex Ryan, who was the Ravens' defensive coordinator, might have the edge, perhaps not so.

Scott will understand, or at least his agent Harold Lewis will, that the kid's chances for post-season glory are far better with the Giants (by the way, who exactly is the Jets' quarterback, anyway?) than with that still-scrambling bunch.

Scott, 6-2 and 240, would more than fix the strongside problem; not a bad leap for an undrafted rookie (in 2002) from Southern Illinois who is now staring a double-digit million-dollar contract in the face. Lewis the agent also represents guard/center Jason Brown, and the impression is that one will remain, one will be allowed to sign elsewhere and the agent will celebrate a win-win situation twice.

New information from NFL sources indicates that if Plaxico Burress finds a way to stay out of jail, he will probably be re-signed by the Giants. If not (and would that be a bad thing?), the team may take a peek at Pittsburgh UFA Nate Washington and probably not at Cincinnati veteran T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Washington is clearly much easier to spell, too).

Reports point to the recent signing of three Restricted Free Agents -- tight end Darcy Johnson ($460,000), defensive end Dave Tollefson ($460,000) and defensive tackle Leger Douzable ($385,000). ... There are three others remaining for the Giants to sign (and they probably will) -- running backs Danny Ware and Kay-Jay Harris and safety Craig Dahl.

THINKING ABOUT THE DRAFT -- Let's make a few things clear. The Giants have no idea who they'll draft in the first round, or in any subsequent round. Neither do any of the experts, especially those who toil for tabloids. That said, there is nothing to prevent the experts from deciding where the Giants need help -- just like in 2006 when the last thing on their minds was a defensive end for the Giants and the pick in the first round turned out to be Mathias Kiwanuka.

So what is a loyal fan to do? It's hard to say that you might consider putting yourself in charge, pretending to be Jerry Reese, and deciding where the help is necessary. But with few exceptions, the draft is a futures bet; these kids, by and large, aren't going to help you now but they'll be there when they're needed.

The free agent market, which starts this Friday, is the way to go now. But the tendency to spend big dollars on guys who just don't earn them is a dangerous enticement. After all, if you need a defensive tackle, who wouldn't want to sign Albert Haynesworth from Tennessee? It appears he is going to become a new member of the Washington Redskins, which might be bad news for former Giant Cornelius Griffin, but that's the way the game is played. To sign Haynesworth, the Redskins will have to come up with roughly the same amount that runs the country of Belize annually, but if they think he's worth it, great.

P.S. -- He isn't. The Giants must look at a wide receiver and a linebacker, preferably an outside linebacker. Antonio Pierce seems capable of stringing another year or two together (well, maybe one) if he keeps his mind on the game and not on his buddy Plaxico Burress or his self-appointed status as team leader and spokesman without speaking that much.

If they see a nice left offensive tackle they better take him, if only to allow the current resident of that position, David Diehl, to make it to the Pro Bowl as a guard. You know what, and tight end might be nice, too? Kevin Boss is the starter but there are a few good ones out there, second- and third-round types, and the Giants' backups at the moment, Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews and a couple of wanna-be hopefuls, don't catch the eyes of defensive coordinators.

Check out Dave's website at E-GIANTS where you can subscribe to his newsletters which run much more frequently than what is available here.
- Team Giants

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