There are rumors worth mentioning and rumors worth ignoring. What started as a rumor involving a possible trade of Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers heading to the Giants is now worth paying attention to, with league sources telling NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora that a deal could be completed by the end of Wednesday.
Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger tracked down the initial rumor, which started on a Giants message board. That's usually not the most reliable place for information to start.
But Garafolo is one of the best reporters in the game, and La Canfora reported that Rivers is a target for a Giants team looking to bolster its linebacking group. Rivers is currently in New York and the Bengals were reportedly looking to move him after re-signing Manny Lawson last week.
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote Wednesday the "wheels are turning" regarding a possible deal. We can't imagine the Giants would have to give up anything more than a late-round pick to acquire Rivers.
The No. 9 pick in the 2008 Draft, Rivers started his career out strong before Hines Ward famously broke his jaw. Rivers has struggled with injuries since, but he is a talented player. It's possible the Giants could move Michael Boley to middle linebacker if the team acquires Rivers. Linebacker remains one spot the defending champions can clearly improve.
UPDATE: Jason La Canfora of NFL Network News says the deal will happen. The Giants will send their fifth round pick (the last in the round) in exchange for Rivers.
