Giants to Open Season on a Wednesday; Mario Manningham on WFAN

New York Giants to Open Season on a Wednesday: The Giants will open the 2012 NFL season at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, September 5 at 8:30PM. The Super Bowl champion usually opens at home on Thursday night, but the NFL wanted to avoid a conflict with President Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on September 6. It will be the first NFL game played on a Wednesday since 1948.

The opponent for the opener has not yet been determined.

WR Mario Manningham on WFAN: Soon-to-be unrestricted free agent WR Mario Manningham was interviewed on WFAN yesterday.

Manningham said that last week’s Ohio newspaper report about him being 75 percent sure he would not re-sign with the Giants was inaccurate.

“I didn’t say that,’’ said Manningham. “You know how rumors get spread, I didn’t say anything like that…It’s a 50-50 percent chance, we’re not sure what’s going on right now. We’re just gonna take it slow and see what’s going on, let the smoke clear a little bit. Just never know where I’m gonna end up at.’’

Manningham was asked if he would like to return to the Giants. “Yeah, that’s what I want to do, stay here,’’ Manningham said. “Why not?’’

Manningham was asked if he would accept less money in order to remain with the Giants. “I’m not sure yet,” said Manningham. “I have to see what’s going on with the rest of the receivers.’’ Manningham believes the Giants are more likely to give WR Victor Cruz a new contract.

“It’s a good thing (that I will be a free agent),” said Manningham. “I just want to go wherever God leads me. He won’t make a bad decision. I just want to go to somebody good where I can compete for the Super Bowl again. I want to stay here but if it’s not here I’m sure it will be somewhere else.’’

The audio of yesterday’s WFAN interview with Manningham is available at CBSNewYork.com.

So Far, Giants and Jacobs Can’t Agree on a New Deal: According to The Daily News, the Giants and agents for HB Brandon Jacobs were unable to reach a deal on a restructured contract this past weekend. Jacobs has one year remaining on his current contract but the Giants are unlikely to pay him the $4.4 million in base salary and the $500,000 roster bonus he is due on March 17.

If a new agreement is not reach soon, Jacobs may be cut.

Giants More Likely to Re-Sign Thomas Over Ross?: The Daily News is reporting that the Giants are more likely to re-sign soon-to-be unrestricted free agent CB Terrell Thomas than soon-to-be unrestricted free agent CB Aaron Ross. An unidentified source told the paper that the Giants have been talking contract with Thomas for a while and definitely would like Thomas to return. Thomas is recovering from a torn ACL in his knee.

Dave Tollefson Will Hit the Free Agent Market: According to The Daily News, the Giants want to re-sign soon-to-be unrestricted free agent DE Dave Tollefson but the team must let him enter free agency first. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a player who last signed a 1-year, veteran-minimum contract that actually counts less against a team’s salary cap (minimum salary benefit deal) must become a free agent. Thus, the Giants must wait until Tollefson hits the open market on March 13 before they attempt to re-sign him.

Hixon Set to Return?: The Star-Ledger is reporting that soon-to-be unrestricted free agent WR Domenik Hixon may re-sign with the Giants in the near future according to his agent.

Hixon tore the ACL in his right knee in June 2010 and then again in September last year during the Giants-Rams game in Week 2.

Stacy Andrews Wants to Re-Sign with Giants: According to The Daily News, soon-to-be unrestricted OT/OG Stacy Andrews would like to re-sign with the Giants. However, the Giants are apparently still concerned about Andrews’ health. Andrews is still recovering from deep vein thrombosis – blood clots that formed in his legs and travelled to his lungs. The Giants placed Andrews on Injured Reserve last December when the condition was first discovered. Andrews is apparently doing much better, but is still on blood thinners. He should be able to resume his football career if all goes well.

According to Andrews’ agent, Andrews “is feeling good and has been very decisive in conveying to me he wants to return to playing for the Giants, and the doctor has been very positive about him returning to football. But we should all learn more in a few weeks.”

Article on DE Osi Umenyiora and WR Mario Manningham: Awesome Osi Over Super Mario? Y-E-S by Johnette Howard of ESPNNewYork.com