New York Giants: Should They Consider Visanthe Shiancoe for 2012?

Before the Super Bowl, the New York Giants needs for their team were in other directions.

But with devastating injuries to Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard, tight end becomes a huge focus for the Giants now in 2012.

The only tight end on the Giants roster for 2012 is Bear Pascoe, who is more of a blocking tight end rather than a receiver.

On the free-agent market, Giants general manager Jerry Reese has options.

There are the top free-agent tight ends like Packers Jermichael Finley and Redskins Fred Davis.

But both likely are to have each of their respective teams use the franchise tag on them, which will take them off the market.

There are others like Jacob Tamme, John Carlson and former Giant Shockey.

There's also another former Giants tight end on the list who could be intriguing.

Vikings tight end Visanthe Schiancoe never got the chance to show his potential with the Giants when he was a third-round draft pick back in the 2003 NFL draft.

After the 2006 season, Shaincoe left the Giants and signed with the Minnesota Vikings and became their starter.

He played in all 16 games in his five seasons with the Vikings and whether it was with Tarvaris Jackson, Brett Favre or Christian Ponder, Shiancoe was a viable option in the field.

During the 2009 season, Shiancoe was a great option in the red zone for Favre, catching 11 touchdowns and 566 yards.

In 2011, his numbers were slightly down, catching just 36 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns. Minnesota was also one of the worst teams in the NFL at 3-13 in 2011 and the offense failed to get going under both Donovan McNabb and Ponder.

Shiancoe is now a free agent next month and could be a very attractive option for teams looking for a red-zone target.

Scoring touchdowns in the red zone seems to be trouble at times for the Giants, but adding Shaincoe could help out that problem.

Shiancoe isn't going to break the Giants budget, and given their recent vacancies at the position, Reese needs options.

Is Shaincoe the most attractive option like Finley? No.

But when have the Giants ever gone after the most attractive free agents on the market? Not since they signed Plaxico Burress before the 2005 season.

Nope, usually they go for guys like David Baas, who ended up being the Giants starting center in 2011.

Shaincoe would fit the Giants mold of players they bring in. But would Reese look to bring in a past veteran from free agency?

The Giants have plenty of time to figure out their game plan for the 2012 roster between now, when free agency starts and around the time of the 2012 NFL draft in April.