The New York Giants aren't charging up a hill to try and re-sign Hakeem Nicks, Justin Tuck or Linval Joseph.
Instead, the front office is focusing its efforts on locking up 29-year-old linebacker Jon Beason, according to The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.), which cited two sources with knowledge of the situation.
Beason certainly helped solidify the middle of the Giants' defense after he joined Big Blue partway though 2013. Coaches spoke often about how he stepped in as a team leader from the get-go on a floundering team.
The linebacker is the No. 84 overall free agent on Around The League's top 101 list.
Beason, given his age and injury issues, isn't likely to break the bank. That the Giants are focusing their efforts on re-signing him is an indictment of their depleted linebacker corps and also an indication where they sit with their other soon-to-be free agents.
Nicks is all but gone and the Giants appear willing to see how the market shapes up before trying to bring back Tuck and/or Joseph.
Another man who will hit the open market is fullback Henry Hynoski. The team will not tender the restricted free agent, ProFootballTalk reported Monday. Hynoski is coming off a season-ending shoulder injury.
The Giants could still bring back the fan favorite, but they'd rather do it at a cheaper price than the restricted tender would call for Hynoski.
The latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast" works through our top 101 free agents and responds to some heat from Donte Whitner.
