Mario Manningham, who can be a free agent on March 13, continues to say he would like to remain with the New York Giants. The possibility of that happening for the exciting young wide receiver, however, seem to remain remote.
"I want to be here," Manningham said. "Because I feel like we can do a lot of damage in these next four to five years. That is just how I feel. We are all young. It is not up to me. I want to stay."
Manningham may want to stay, and truth is the Giants probably want to keep him. Reality is, however, that Manningham would seem as good as gone once NFL free agency begins on March 13.
Manningham, 26 next season, has 160 receptions and 18 touchdowns in four seasons, and has averaged 14.5 yards per catch. He is, however, third on the Giants' depth chart behind starts Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. He would love to get the ball more often, and several teams are likely to offer him more money than the Giants, who are over the salary cap.
The Giants re-signed veteran Domenik Hixon, and also have Ramses Barden and second-year man Jerrel Jernigan as players who could take Manningham's place in 2012.