Amani Toomer has signed with another team. Yes, Toomer is now a Kansas City Chief after signing a one year deal today.

The Chiefs reportedly worked out D.J. Hackett and David Terrell as well, but chose Toomer  out of the three.

I’m glad to see Toomer will still be playing football. I still am not quite sure why the Giants did not want him back, seeing as they lack any real veterans. Toomer will go down as maybe the best Giant receiver of all time…good luck Amani.

Tom Rock on his blog for Newsday writes that Derrick Ward’s reps will meet with the Giants next week to discuss the possibility of him returning to the Giants next year.

Ward, who along with Brandon Jacobs surpassed the 1,000 yard mark plans on being back with the Giants, even though the chances seem remote.

“It will work itself out,” the running back said. “I plan on being back. I can’t imagine it not working out.”

Rock writes that Amani Toomer has had some discussions about returning to the Giants already, despite the fact many have figured he’s already going to be leaving.

“I believe that there have been some preliminary talks (between his agent and the Giants) but how far they’ve gone I don’t really know yet. I also don’t really know how much interest the Giants have or how they view my role so I’ll have to wait and see if their ideas and my own can mesh. If I am to come back, I want to have a chance to compete. I don’t want to just come back and have no role in the offense.”

Peter Wade relays a report from Mike Garafolo at the Star-Ledger that doesn’t make it seem likely Toomer will return. Garafolo speculates on the Giants plans for receivers.

Something tells me the Giants have an ace up their sleeve. Something drastic must be coming. Anquan Boldin? Tony Gonzalez? Braylon Edwards? Trade up in the draft for a top receiver? No idea, but they have to do something … right?

Hat tip to Nathaniel for the news.

Most Giants fans agree that the two biggest areas of need are at linebacker and wide receiver. Which position is at a higher priority is debatable, but it is certain that the Giants will address these two weaknesses during the offseason. Being that the Giants have three picks in the first two rounds, it is possible that Jerry Reese will decide to plug these holes with rookie players. With the recent first day selections of Aaron Ross, Steve Smith, Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas, Reese has shown that he is not afraid to use the draft to fix the team’s biggest flaws.

The draft is still months away (April 25 & 26), but it is never too early to start looking at possible prospects. With questions surrounding the futures of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, it is entirely possible that the Giants could head into the draft with only one receiver over 6 feet (Domenik Hixon). Whether or not Burress and Toomer return, the Giants should look to pick up a tall receiver for the present and future. Let us now take a look at some of the players at wide receiver who will make the most sense for the Giants.

Note: due to the glut of smallish receivers on the roster (Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham), prospects under 6′1 will not be considered.

Click names for video highlight.

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1. Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) 6-3, 214

Not gonna happen.

2. Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland) 6-3, 206

One of the best athletes in the draft, Hey-Bey is rumored to have run a sub-4.3 40-yard dash, is skilled at jump balls and can break tackles. His draft stock could fall due to the fact that his abilities are raw and his stats were hurt by being in a rushing offense. He could be the second receiver taken, or he could fall out of the first round, depending on how he performs at the combine.

3. Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) 6-1, 200

Maclin is the whole package, combining size and speed, and strength. He also has the ability to return punts and kicks effectively. He put up eye-popping numbers in a good college offense. He might not be available by the time the Giants pick in the first round.

4. Kenny Britt (Rutgers) 6-4, 205

While not as fast as Heyward Bey or Maclin, the local boy uses his size to his advantage. He is somewhat inconsistent, is a raw route runner, and rumors are that he may have some attitude problems (but then again, who doesn’t these days?). He looks the part, and would be a solid second round pick.

5. Hackeem Nicks (North Carolina) 6-1, 215

Pretty good size and strength, but only average speed. He showed his amazing hands and focus in making one of the best catches of the year during the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

6. Louis Murphy (Florida) 6-2, 205

Similar to Heyward-Bey in that he has great speed and size, but was underutilized in college. Florida’s offense did not make use of this deep threat, and he was overshadowed by the smaller Percy Harvin. Murphy has a lot of promise and could turn into a second round steal.

Second Day Sleepers:

Ramses Barden (Cal Poly) 6-6, 227

At 6-6, Barden is already a Giant (hahahaha!) His gigantic body would provide a Plax-like target for Eli. He can catch, but has trouble separating due to below average speed.

Darius Passmore (Marshall) 6-3, 188

Good size, good hands, average speed. If he sticks in the NFL, he could go down as one of the most appropriately named players since QB Adam Throwgood and RB Steven Runfast. Just imagine all the hilarious “we need to pass more to Passmore” jokes.

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This draft is deep at wide receiver, so it is possible that teams will pass on some of the top-tier prospects, knowing that there will be other quality receivers later in the draft. I would like to see the Giants go after Heyward-Bey, who I think has the highest upside, or Kenny Britt, whose body type makes him a perfect future replacement for Plaxico Burress.

What do you think the Giants should do with their three first-day picks? Are there any receivers you’d like to see them go after that I have not mentioned? Don’t be afraid to share your opinions.

Amani Toomer is growing tired of Plaxico Burress‘ off the field issues, and in an AP report said he thinks if he continues he will be a distraction to the team.

“He’s his own man,” Toomer said. “He makes his own decisions and I have to respect that. He knows his decisions affect the team. It’s hard to go up to a grown man (and talk) about doing his business the way everybody else wants him to.”

When pressed about what might happen if Burress continues his errant ways, the Giants captain wondered.

“I’ll be interested to see because I think that it’s still a distraction,” Toomer said. “It affects our team.”

Most players have chosen not to take sides and just focus on what needs to be done on the field. Toomer appears to be the first to admit that Burress is becoming an issue.

The Giants have announced that quarterback Eli Manning, wide receiver Amani Toomer, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, defensive tackle Fred Robbins and punter Jeff Feagles will serve as the team captains for the 2008 season.

To much surprise, veteran center Shaun O’Hara is no longer a captain and was replaced by Toomer. Robbins replaces Michael Strahan as captain as well.

Looks like the offensive linemen’s training camp campaign was successfully executed. During camp, the linemen donned new t-shirts that read “Time for change: Toomer in ‘08″ as part of a joke to have O’Hara stripped of his captain status and to be replaced by Amani Toomer.

The Giants have allowed several free agents to walk already. LB Kawika Mitchell signed with the Bills, SLB Reggie Torbor headed to Miami, and Gibril Wilson joined the Raiders.

The Giants tendered SS James Butler at $1.417M with 2nd-round pick as compensation. Giants backup QB Jared Lorenzen, “The Hefty Lefty”, was tendered at $927,000 with no compensation. The Giants have been connected to Trent Green recently, seeking a more experienced back up option for Eli Manning.

The other unrestricted free agents for the Giants are DT Russell Davis, DT William Joseph, and RB Derrick Ward. 11-year veteran, LS Ryan Kuehl is expected to retire.

The Giants top needs appear to be wide receiver, safety, and left offensive tackle. The Giants need a complementary receiver to go along with Plaxico Burress. Amani Toomer, while a key player down the stretch for the Giants, is not getting any younger and has to begin to regress at some point.

The departure of Wilson leaves the Giants with hole at safety. Veteran safety Sammy Knight is meeting with the Giants this week. Michael Johnson might be an internal option, or they could look for a later round pick in the draft. There are a number of good defensive players available. Miami free safety Kenny Philips, or Jamar Adams, a strong safety out of Michigan could be available to the Giants in the second round.

Players who are projected to be available for the Giants in the first round are Dan Connor, an OLB out of Penn State and Pat Sims, a DT out of Auburn. Rich O’Callaghan at Giants 101 targets USC LB Keith Rivers, Cal WR DeSean Jackson, Tenn St CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, South Florida CB Mike Jenkins, and Indiana CB Tracy Porter.

David Diehl made the move to left offensive tackle last season when Luke Petitgout was released. He did an admirable job, but the Giants may look for a more agile tackle to beat out would be pass rushers. Left tackle and quarterback could be one of the few positions that GM Jerry Reese explores free agency to fill.

Amani Toomer is coming back for at least one more year. Newsday quotes Toomer…

“I haven’t thought about retiring at all,” said Toomer on Thursday. “There are still some things I want to accomplish.”

“It’s hard to really say what I want for myself,” said Toomer. “All I know is there’s a lot of stuff I still want to do in the NFL, a lot I want to strive for. Winning is amazing, there’s been nothing like it for me. I’m definitely not ready to give all this up.”

Toomer had 21 receptions for 280 yards and led all receivers with three touchdowns in the playoffs.

Ralph Vacchiano on his blog for the New York Daily News reports two interesting bits of news.

Amani Toomer broke his hand in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII, possibly on a low throw that he had to come back for.

Plaxico Burress’ mysterious knee injury happened when he slipped in the shower in his hotel room.

Amani Toomer, who was devestated when the Giants lost to the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV, told his teammates that getting to the Super Bowl is not enough, Newsday reports.

“I don’t think there’s any surprise why the team that goes to the Super Bowl and loses traditionally has a letdown the next year. Not only the fact that you got there and you lose the big game, but your offseason is a lot shorter, and you’ve got .nothing really to show for it.”

“I want everybody to focus on the fact that it’s a game, and that we have this one more game. Don’t just be happy about being in the Super Bowl.”

Michael Strahan, Toomer, and offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer are the only Giants who have played in a Super Bowl before.