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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...280359/1078/spt

Monday, February 28, 2005

Ex-Titan Mason drawing interest

Combine notebook

By Mark Curnutte

Enquirer staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS - Though free agency doesn't officially begin until Wednesday, some players hit the market early after being released by their previous teams.

Wide receiver Derrick Mason, one of six players released Feb. 21 by Tennessee, attracted interest at the combine.

The Bengals were mentioned as one team to have expressed interest in Mason, but Jacksonville and Baltimore negotiated directly with agent Peter Schaffer and appeared to be offering a great deal more money than the Bengals would.

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3. Ike Hilliard, Giants. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5463

Due a mid-March roster bonus, 8-year vet may be cut.

I've a hunch that injuries have taken their toll on Hilliard, but if he hasn't lost too many steps he'd be a nice replacement for TJ - and a whole lot cheaper too. You'd just be trading some size for better running in the open field.

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3. Ike Hilliard, Giants. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5463

Due a mid-March roster bonus, 8-year vet may be cut.

I've a hunch that injuries have taken their toll on Hilliard, but if he hasn't lost too many steps he'd be a nice replacement for TJ - and a whole lot cheaper too. You'd just be trading some size for better running in the open field.

Living in Jersey I get to watch the Giants all the time, and Ike still has some life left in him, tho I wouldn't describe him as anything special. He would certainly do as a No. 3; if Warrick has trouble and he has to step up into the No. 2 role...I dunno. I wouldn't bet against him succeeding but I wouldn't wager any money it, either.

Whether he comes cheaper or not may well depend on when he gets released. If the Giants wait until mid-March, all the top-shelf WRs should have been taken, so he may be short of options.

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Burris will vist the Giants on Monday.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3443514

Burress will visit Giants, agent says

Jon Krawczynski / Associated Press

Burress' agent, Michael Harrison, told The Associated Press Sunday that his client will leave from Miami Monday morning and spend the afternoon in New York.

"The Giants are very much appealing to Plaxico," Harrison said. "They have some of the key things we're looking for."

Harrison said Burress, who has been talking with several teams including the Minnesota Vikings, wants to go to a team with a good tight end, good running back and good quarterback.

With Jeremy Shockey at tight end, Tiki Barber at running back and an emerging Manning throwing the ball, the Giants qualify.

Burress, who spent the list five seasons with Pittsburgh, would bring his considerable size and big-play ability to a Giants offense that sorely needs both.

Starting receivers Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard had sub-par seasons, failing to catch a touchdown pass. Toomer is coming off a hamstring injury that bothered him for most of the season, and Hilliard was released Thursday after never fulfilling the promise he had when the Giants drafted him seventh overall out of Florida in 1997.

"They need a No. 1 receiver," Harrison said. "Plus, it's New York City and Plaxico is a very marketable guy."

Burress is the biggest name receiver left on the free-agent market. At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, the five-year veteran has the size and speed to get down the field and catch the fade pattern in the end zone, which no doubt is attractive to Manning heading into his first full season as a starter.

His best season came in 2002, when he had 78 catches for 1,325 yards and seven TDs. But an injury last season and quarterback inconsistencies contributed to lower numbers in 2003 and 2004.

Giants owner Wellington Mara was hugely disappointed by last season's 6-10 record, saying he was glad the season was over and the only solution appeared to be to "get better players."

With that, the Giants have been one of the most active teams in free agency, signing linebacker Antonio Pierce from Washington for $26 million and giving Jets tackle Kareem McKenzie $37.75 million to protect Manning.

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