5 Players Who Could Replace Terrell Thomas and Bolster the Giants Secondary

The football gods haven't been the most gracious to the New York Giants. Big Blue has been hit with the injury bug that has severely depleted the secondary, as well as other positions.

Just to break down the losses in the Giants secondary, they first lost their key reserve corner, Bruce Johnson, who played a vital role as the dime back last year to a torn Achilles. Then first-rounder Prince Amukamara fractured his foot, which will cause him to miss the first two months of the season. Then in yesterday's preseason game against the Bears, the Giants lost both their standout corner Terrell Thomas and backup Brian Witherspoon to torn ACLs, effectively ending their seasons.

The Thomas loss will hurt the most as he was a key facet in all respects of the game, leading the Giants in tackles and interceptions last year and was primed to be one of the best corners in the league. Now with Aaron Ross, Corey Webster and Michael Coe being the only healthy cornerbacks left, the Giants have a gaping hole in their injury prone secondary.

Here are a few free agents who can help provide some insurance as well as bolster the secondary.

Note: Asante Samuel hasn't been included in this list because the Eagles have demanded several first and second day draft picks, which is likely to deter the Giants from having any interest. Furthermore, Samuel is owed more than $24 million over the next three years and will likely reject any offers to restructure his deal. With the Giants in a dire financial situation, it is highly unlikely they will pursue Samuel.

Lito Sheppard

Age: 30

Sheppard is a former two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl corner with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles. He had a storied trade to the New York Jets, but after one mediocre season in East Rutherford he was released by Gang Green. 

The skills that made him a ball hawking defender have greatly diminished and he failed to crack the lineup in a depleted Vikings secondary last year. Sheppard was constantly beaten by speedy receivers and panned out as a poor tackler. He also has durability issues and has become injury prone at this point in his career. Sheppard did flash some play-making ability and did have adequate awareness while in Minnesota, but clearly his best days are behind him.

As long as Sheppard doesn't get regular playing time, he could prove to be a solid nickel or dime back behind Aaron Ross and Corey Webster, but the Giants will be in trouble if one of those two end up missing significant time.

Tye Hill

Age: 29

Hill was a standout in college while at Clemson and his tremendous speed and measurables forced the St. Louis Rams to draft him with the fifteenth pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. His first year was solid as he finished with 50 tackles and three interceptions, but injuries sapped his potential and the Rams cut him in 2008. Labeled as a first round bust, Hill has bounced around the league, most recently with the Detroit Lions.

Hill's central asset, speed, diminished after his tenure was derailed with chronic knee injuries. He was constantly burned which forced the Rams to bench him, and he failed to latch on with the Falcons and Titans. Hill can still be effective in a minor defensive role and could replace Witherspoon in special teams as the new gunner.

The Giants do need reserve corners, as Michael Coe is the only healthy backup left. Hill could be a solid body on the bench.

Brian Williams

Age: 32

The nine year veteran played mostly as a nickel corner for the Atlanta Falcons last year, and at the age of 32, he only has a few years left in the tank. Williams, after tearing his ACL, had a hard time competing with the likes of Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes for a starting cornerback role. With the Falcons trying to instill youth amongst their ranks, they opted to let the veteran leave in free agency.

Williams is a reliable cover man in the slot and made solid plays on the ball when given time to play. He can also make tackles in space, which will be a needed ability when facing pass-happy offenses like the Eagles and Cowboys. The journeyman also could provide the Giants with a vocal leader and experienced veteran in what is predominantly a young secondary.

With the Giants hoping to sign insurance using only the veteran's minimum, Williams will definitely be a name that Jerry Reese & Co. will mull over.

Randall Gay

Age: 29

Gay was part of two winning Super Bowl teams during his tenure in New England and New Orleans. He joined the Saints in 2008 after signing a hefty contract to become a starting corner. He was a reliable option in the secondary for his first two years in the Superdome, but became buried in the depth chart after failing to recover from several injuries.

Gay exhibited a solid tackling ability with 89 tackles in two years and also used his solid frame to bat away 20 balls. Gay has a good physical presence as he can keep receivers in front of him, but his speed has sapped due to recurring hamstring injuries. The seven year veteran may only be suitable in sub-package formations for the Giants and he has hinted that he may only want to return to New Orleans.

Gay would fit the mold of a reliable and physical cornerback for the Giants, who can make a difference in the run game.

Kelvin Hayden

Age: 28

Without a doubt the best corner remaining on the market, Hayden still remains without a home as teams have backed away from signing him due to medical concerns. Hayden has missed 18 games over the past three seasons due to various injuries, but was the hero for the Colts in Super Bowl XLI when he returned a Rex Grossman interception for a touchdown.

Hayden, if healthy, can provide great size at 6'0'',195 pounds and has great play-making skills, as he returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns last season with Indianapolis. He has plenty of solid coverage skills and was also a solid tackler, finishing a short season with 61 tackles. Hayden could also provide for a solid scheme fit as well, as Perry Fewell enjoys lining up multiple cornerbacks and would allow for Aaron Ross to cover the slot, giving the stagnant secondary some much needed versatility.

The Giants, however, have been resistant to shell out money in free agency due to salary cap concerns, and this may be the stumbling block in signing Hayden.

Trade Candidate: Domonique Foxworth

Age: 28

Foxworth isn't a free agent, but there have been rumblings that the Ravens may part with the six-year man for a late-round pick. Foxworth missed last year's season with a torn ACL and the Ravens have gotten irritated with his lack of progress. He did recently take the practice field, but hasn't been cleared to play. With the Ravens re-signing Chris Carr and selecting Jimmy Smith in this year's draft, Foxworth has become expendable.

He was arguably the Ravens best corner in 2009, after he racked up four interceptions with 16 pass breakups and was reliable in coverage. The play-making corner also provided versatility during the absence of Ed Reed, as he adjusted to also play free safety. Foxworth also helped in the run game with his 53 tackles and was a leader in the Raven clubhouse.

If rookie Jimmy Smith can adjust to the system quickly and if Foxworth fails to recuperate fully, the Ravens may be forced into either trading or releasing the former Terp. Although he may not make an impact right out of the gate, Foxworth could be a cheap yet exceptional pickup for Big Blue during the last stretch of the season.