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Players the Giants should sign

By (Contributor) on September 24, 2011

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19:  Domenik Hixon #87 of the New York Giants favors his leg as he is assisted by teammate Ahmad Bradshaw #44 after Hixon scored a touchdown reception against the St. Louis Rams at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2011 in E
Al Bello/Getty Images

The injuries are really hurting the New York Football Giants this year. Now, just two days after winning one of the most controversial games in Monday Night Football and NFL history, the Giants lost Domenik Hixon for a second straight year, when he tore his recently healed ACL that was torn one year before. 

Losing Hixon does not only mean the Giants have lost their punt returner, it means they lost their second kick off returner and third wide receiver. Hixon's loss means Victor Cruz will have to step up, but that may not be enough to help Eli Manning and the Giants progress.

The Giants go one on one with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and there are some issue to address with the Giants.

The Giants have already lost Jonathan Goff—a key middle linebacker who reads the plays coming from the sideline.

Terrell Thomas was a key cornerback for the defense and put pressure on the receivers he covered.

Bruce Johnon and Brian Witherspoon would've backed up the special teams and the cornerbacks.

That's just the short list.

The Giants need to get some more players and they need to get them before its too late

T.J. Houshmandzadeh—Wide Receiver

SEATTLE - AUGUST 14:  Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes during the preseason game against  the Tennessee Titans at Qwest Field on August 14, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Adding T.J. Houshmandzadeh may be the first thing the Giants should do to boost up their offense. Recently the Giants brought in Michael Clayton to add more depth to the wide receiving core. But the Giants can still add T.J. Houshmandzadeh to to round out the depleted wide receiver corps.

Hixon's injury leaves the Giants in a situation that is not so good for Eli Manning or the Giants offense. Even though T.J. is 33 years old, there are some positive contributions that T.J. can bring to the New York Giants' offense.

Throughout his career Houshmandzadeh has a total of 616 receptions with 7,091 receiving yards with 43 touchdowns. T.J. can step up as the number two wide receiver if Mario Manningham is not cleared against the Eagles by 1 p.m. Sunday, and even if Manningham gets cleared T.J. can be the number three wide receiver for Manning.

Eli also likes the receivers who stand at 6-foot-2. T.J. has the valuable size that injured receiver Dominik Hixon had. So the Giants should at least consider the possibility of bringing in the former Cinncinatti Bengal, Seattle Seahawk and Baltimore Raven.

T.J. has proven to be a valuable weapon for teams in need. Unfortunately now that Michael Clayton has been added to the roster, the Giants are gonna have to part ways with one of their players if they want Houshmandzadeh. 

David Garrard—Quarterback

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26:  Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the game against the Washington Redskins at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida.  (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The Giants already have a backup quarterback who is also named David, but David Carr unfortunately has gone through too many injuries. Carr will not see any playing time this year unless something happens to Manning. So, if nothing is gonna happen to Eli Manning why bring in David Garrard?

Garrard is what most football fans consider a mobile quarterback. Garrard can run and can extend plays by scrambling out to throw the ball. He's not a mobile quarterback like Michael Vick, but still Garrard is a fast moving quarterback.

Garrard has 16,003 passing yards with 89 touchdowns and 54 interceptions in his career. He also rushed for 1,746 yards and has a total of 17 rushing yards touchdowns to add to his resume.

Garrard's addition opens up a new playbook in the Giants offense. Garrard can be used for wildcat formations on the team. Garrard is a fast quarterback in need of a job right now, The New York Giants should definitely consider bringing in a quarterback like David Garrard.

Adding Garrard to the team does not mean David Carr will be cut, however it does mean that somebody would be cut. 

Lito Sheppard—Cornerback

DALLAS - DECEMBER 16: Lito Sheppard #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles gets ready onfield during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium December 16, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. The Eagles won 10-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Adding Lito Sheppard to the team can boost up the Giants secondary considering the number of cornerbacks who landed on the injured reserve list at the beginning of the year. 

The former Philadelphia Eagle was cut by his then current team the Minnesota Vikings before the regular season started. And after the previous two games played by the Giants this year, it certainly would not hurt them to add a player that not only knows his former team very well but pretty much knows the entire NFC East division from head to toe.

Does adding Lito Sheppard to the Giants lead to the benching of Aaron Ross? It could. Sheppard has also been used for kickoffs for the special teams. However the Giants would look more toward a stable cornerback to boost their ailing team right now and Sheppard could be a the answer to aid the crippled Giants during the season.

Sheppard may not be the cornerback that he used to be, but It couldn't hurt to take a chance with the way things look for the Giants right now.

Chase Blackburn—Middle Linebacker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 21:  Chase Blackburn #57  of the New York Giants celebrates after making an interception against the Washington Redskins during their game on December 21, 2009 at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Al Bello/Getty Images

Why not get this guy? When Jonathan Goff went down it came as a surprise that the Giants didn't go after a former New York Giant who learned from Antonio Pierce. 

It's true that Blackburn lost his opportunity to be the new middle linebacker when Jonathan Goff emerged, but now that Goff lost for the season, Blackburn may be needed in New York.

While Greg Jones has stepped up for the moment, Jones was put in a rough situation. Jones is proving already he will be a valuable player in the New York's future but for now the Giants need to establish a strong defense for the season.

Kawika Mitchell—Linebacker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30:  Kawika Mitchell #55 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium on September 30, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Nick Laham/Getty Images

Reasons to sign Kawika Mitchell are exactly the same as the reasons to sign Blackburn. However Blackburn is a middle linebacker, Mitchell plays more outside linebacker. Mitchell has also stated he would like to rejoin the Giants this season. 

In regards of getting a middle linebacker, signing Mitchell can accomplish that. When Mitchell began his NFL career he did start off as a middle linebacker. Moving back to his old position won't be a simple procedure but it can be done if Mitchell is willing to do it along with the Giants. 

Antwaan Randle El—Wide Receiver

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Antwaan Randle El #82 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after during the first half against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Randle El is one of the few notable wide receivers still on the free agent market. Randle El has also done some punt/kick off returns in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins

Randle El also was a quarterback in college which gives the Giants another play to put in their playbook. A wide receiver that can throw the ball? not really a bad option to have. Just roll the tape on Super Bowl XL.

Do the Giants need another reason to sign Antwaan Randle El? 

Flozell Adams—Offensive Lineman

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06:  Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass as Flozell Adams #71 blocks against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Packers wo
Al Bello/Getty Images

He's a good offensive lineman, but there are a few questions surrounding Adams.

Is he still a good enough lineman to start let alone play? Can he get along with his former arch nemesis? And is it worth the risk?

Conclusion

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19:  Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws a passas offensive lineman David Diehl #66 pass blocks against the St. Louis Rams at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The G
Al Bello/Getty Images

That about wraps it up and for those people who are wondering why there aren't players like Terrell Owens, Jay Alford, or a Tight End on this list. Let's sum it up.

Terrell Owens—He's a good receiver but talks a lot more than he does contribute. I'm not against the idea of bringing T.O. to New York, but if Plaxico Burress isn't willing to return because of Tom Coughlin, what do you think the chances of T.O. playing for Coughlin are?

Jay Alford—He's currently signed with a team in the United Football League so it would be hard to bring him in.

There's not really a free agent playmaker at the tight end position right now.

Sinorice Moss—The Giants tried using Moss once, but injuries to his health allowed others to step up and take his place. Sinorice Moss is unfortunately not even a consideration at this point.

Joey Galloway—He's too old, retirement may be coming soon.

Another suggestions...Who knows?

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