Giants signings and rumors: Free agency Day One

Added by Vin D'Anton on March 13, 2013.

By: Vin D’Anton

Signings: 

CB Aaron Ross signs: Less than a half hour before the free agency period officially began at 4:00pm, it was announced that Ross would return to the Giants after spending one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The terms of the deal have not yet been announced but you have to believe its not that much considering the Giants entered the day with $1.5 million in cap space. In five seasons with the G-Men, Ross had 5INTs. He had zero last year with the Jags. Ross was the 20th overall pick in the 2007 Draft for the Giants. At Texas he won the Jim Thorpe Award which is given to the best defensive back in college football. The 30-year old adds depth to a struggling group of corners. Lucky for Ross, he doesn’t have to wear that hideous Jaguar logo on his helmet next year.

TE Martellus Bennett sign with the Bears: One of the first signings reported at the start of free agency, Bennett signed a very cheap deal with Chicago. Four-years, $8 million for the five-year tight end who just came off the best season of his career. One year with the great tight end coach Mike Pope could do anyone wonders as Bennett had career highs across the board with 55REC, 626YDS and 5TDs. Bennett spent his first four years in Dallas and was known as somewhat of a problem child. The fact that he signed that cheap and the Giants let him walk that easily makes you wonder what the organization thought of him. Unless Manti Te’o is still on the board, don’t be shocked if the Giants take another Golden Domer in the first round, tight end Tyler Eifert.

Martellus is dancing to Chicago - AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

RB Ryan Torain re-signs: Details of the deal have not yet been released but I can guarantee it’s the veteran minium. Andre Brown was second round tendered yesterday and I find it hard to believe that anyone would spend that high of a pick on him, plus Da’Rel Scott is still on the roster , so I guess he and Torain will fight for the third spot. He has never touched the ball as a Giant but in three seasons (one in Denver, two in Washington), Torain has 1,011 rush yards and eight total touchdowns.

Rumors: 

Three teams linked to Victor Cruz: Two rumors with really no legitimacy was that the Rams and Patriots have interest but nothing was official. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport “could see” Minnesota making a run at the two-time Pro Bowler. ESPN’s Adam Schefter floated the same possibility because the Vikings have the draft ammo and cap space to make the move. However, majority of reporters think it’s highly unlikely that Cruz won’t be a Giant next season.

OG Matt Slauson draws interest from Giants: Slauson has spent all three seasons with the Jets and the New York Posts’ Paul Schwartz reports the Giants, among a few other teams, have interest. Slauson started all 16 games in those three seasons.

Division rival looking at LB Chase Blackburn: ESPN Dallas writer Todd Archer reports that the Cowboys are interested in Chase Blackburn but a visit has yet to be scheduled. Blackburn has spent his entire eight year career with Big Blue and has been a fan favorite for all of them.

OG Kevin Boothe has two suitors: Jason Cole of Yahoo! reported that the Bears and Panthers are looking at Boothe, a key free agent for the Giants. Boothe has played both tackle and guard for the Giants while his starts have gone up each year. Camaraderie is vital on the offensive line and Boothe is vital to bring back.

WR Domenik Hixon turns down the Lions: USA Today’s Mike Garafolo reported that Hixon received an offer from Detroit but will seek a better deal. In four (and a half) seasons with the Giants, Hixon has torn his ACL twice, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and has six receiving touchdowns.

Giants interested in CB DeAngelo Hall: Hall has been linked to the Giants multiple times throughout his career and once again he is in 2013. Dan Hellie of NBC in D.C. reports that the Giants, along with a list of teams, have interest in the ageless corner. In ten seasons, Hall has 39INTs and has never had less than two in a season. I have a hunch that this will be the year he finally signs with the Giants.