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Of all the Giants' free agents, their top priority is the one who has been with the team the shortest amount of time.

The Giants are concentrating their efforts on a deal with soon-to-be-free-agent linebacker Jon Beason, two people with knowledge of the situation told NJ.com. In the meantime, the remainder of their 21 unrestricted free agents have been put on the back burner.

The Giants have yet to make an official offer to veteran defensive end Justin Tuck and, while still hopeful something can be worked out with Linval Joseph, the Giants believe the defensive tackle will be too costly to keep.

Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks' chances of returning remain "close to zero."

Beason, 29, helped solidify the Giants defense when he was acquired from Carolina in early October for a seventh-round pick. The Giants allowed an average of 36.4 points in the first five games of the season before Beason's arrival. They allowed 18.3 points the remainder of the way and finished eighth in the NFL in total defense.

Beason said late in the season he’d like to return and finish his career with the Giants, who expressed interest in bringing back Beason from the moment the season ended. They were impressed with the way he played, commanded the huddle and conducted his business.

“Jon came in and I think he stabilized our defense,” general manager Jerry Reese said in his postseason press conference. “He came in, he had a voice right away and he fit in very quickly with the players. He did a good job for us.”

Now the two sides just have to find middle ground in their negotiations. Beason, who recently parted amicably with agent Drew Rosenhaus, is representing himself in contract talks.


Given Beason’s injury history – he missed most of the three previous seasons with knee injuries and an Achilles tear – it’s not going to be an easy deal to construct. Both sides must protect themselves sufficiently.

But given both sides' willingness to get something done before the start of free agency next week, there appears to be a strong chance it will happen.

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Victor Cruz is the finest playmaking receiver the Giants have. And now that he has a new offensive coordinator, he can’t help wondering if he could play a new role, too: Running back.

That’s what Cruz jokingly suggested to the News on Monday. The Giants star pondered McAdoo’s offense, then thought about his coordinator’s background with the Green Bay Packers. Then, the speedy, shifty Cruz compared himself to speedy, shifty Packer receiver Randall Cobb.

“I do see myself as a Randall Cobb,” Cruz said at a Fuel Up to Play 60 event at PS 75 Emily Dickinson in Manhattan. “Hopefully I can sneak in that backfield for a couple plays. I don’t know how effective that will be. But we’ll definitely see where it takes us. But we’ll see. I’m excited to be all over the field this year.”

Would the Giants let their most dangerous offensive weapon handle the occasional handoff? It seems unlikely, but then again, McAdoo’s offense remains the great unknown. the ex-Packers QB coach has never called plays in the NFL, and he gave little clarity on his system in a conference call with the media last week.

But McAdoo should get to work with a healthy Cruz. Cruz said he spoke with McAdoo “about a month ago” when the Giants made the hire, and he’s expecting an “exciting, high-powered offense.”

Cruz will be ready to perform in that offense, too. The receiver, who had season-ending knee surgery in December, said that his knee is fully healthy now, and he started lifting in the gym a week-and-a-half ago. He’s focused on weight training now, he said, but he’s hoping to hit the field and run routes by the end of March.

Cruz added that he’s spoken with quarterback Eli Manning about scheduling some throwing sessions.

“Potentially yeah,” he said. “We’ve talked about some dates. Me and him are getting together soon, maybe end of the month, beginning of April.”

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The Giants recently made decisions not to tender restricted free agent center Jim Cordle or fullback Henry Hynoski, hoping to retain them at a cheaper price in free agency.

But with linebacker Spencer Paysinger, the Giants are hoping to give themselves a little insurance for when the market opens on March 11.

The Giants extended a right of first refusal tender to Paysinger, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed. The person requested anonymity in order to speak freely on the matter.

Paysinger can still sign with another team in free agency, but the tender allows the Giants a chance to match any offer. If he remains on the team, he'll make $1.431 million next season.

Paysinger played in all 16 games last season across an uncertain linebacking corps and started 11. He had a heavy role on special teams as well, logging 65 tackles on the season.

While Jacquian Williams was the favored option against mobile quarterbacks, Paysinger was a more consistent option at weakside linebacker last season.

Quote (xnozx. @ Mar 4 2014 06:35pm)

[FONT="Times New Roman"]Giants tender Spencer Paysinger ($1.431M)[/FONT]


According to USA Today the Giants tendered Paysinger

Tom Pelisseroþ@TomPelissero·15 mins
#NYG tendered Spencer Paysinger ($1.431M)




http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/03/giants_tender_lb_spencer_paysinger.html



@RVacchianoNYDN: The RFA tender to Paysinger gives them a right to match any offers he gets, but they don't get any compensation if he signs elsewhere. #NYG

@ConorTOrr: For Paysinger's versatility, the first refusal tender was a bargain. Less than $1.5 million next year.

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Former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain, an unrestricted free agent, just wrapped up a visit with the Bills in Buffalo and is headed south for a meeting in East Rutherford on Thursday.

“This is the first visit and then I go to the Giants,” McClain told Bills reporters, via the team's web site. “I’ve got more scheduled, but I tell my agent to tell me the day before. I don’t want to be wrapping my mind around too many ideas. I’m more like a get the information and go guy.”

McClain was sidelined for most of 2012 with a spinal contusion but had a bounce back season in 2013 with 52 tackles and a forced fumble over 10 games.

If healthy, the 28-year-old could provide depth at the middle linebacker position behind Jon Beason or compete for one of the other two spots. McClain had experience just about everywhere in Baltimore, which should bode well for his chances of drumming up a market in free agency.

McClain told reporters in Buffalo that he doesn't want to expedite any decisions in order to avoid the rush of free agent linebackers that become available on March 11.

“I think that’s on my agent. I put my full trust in him,” McClain said. “He’s someone that has stood by me. We hire people to make the right decisions for you and he’s one of those guys who is going to make the right decision. When he finds the right time that’ll be the right time and I’m not going to push him on anything. I’m just going to trust his opinion.”

Quote (xnozx. @ Mar 5 2014 06:37pm)

[FONT='Times New Roman']Former Ravens LB Jameel McClain to meet with Giants Thursday[/FONT]





http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/03/former_ravens_lb_jameel_mcclain_to_meet_with_giants.html


If we sign him and Beason, McClain could play OLB.

Quote (xnozx. @ Mar 6 2014 04:38pm)

Hixon and Manningham might find their way back here this upcoming season.


Both should be very cheap, especially Hixon. Not sure how I feel about this. Hixon was always one of my favorite players because of his determination and loyalty. He loved being a Giant and is still enamored with us.

Manningham shouldn't be too expensive either.


Could be nice additions... both championship players from our Super Bowls.