Here’s what going on today around the Giants blogosphere…

• Big Blue View has a Giants draft preview, focusing on the needs of the G-Men, namely safety, cornerback and linebacker.
• The New York Post writes that RB Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to be Brandon Jacobs primary backup, despite the recent re-signing of Derrick Ward.
• ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Eli Manning has “made it clear” that he wants Jeremy Shockey back with the Giants this season. Manning is reportedly excited about the prospect of using more two-tight end sets with Shockey and Kevin Boss.

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espn.com and giants.com are reporting that the Giants have re-signed RB Derrick Ward to a one-year, $1.1 million contract. 

Another $1 million can be made in incentives.

A little surprising considering there was some early speculation he could land somewhere else.  Bottom line is you can never have too much backfield depth.  We know where Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and Ward fit in, but I’m still not sure how Reuben Droughns fits in here.

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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.

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Mike Garafolo, on his blog for the Star Ledger, reports that the Giants have offered a 1 to 2-year deal to RB Derrick Ward but he’s looking for a long-term commitment.

The Giants are not willing to take on a longer contract with Ward because of his injury history.

Ernie Palladino on his blog for the Journal News writes that there’s a very slim chance that Ward may take the Giants offer before the free agency clock begins at midnite.

According to his agent, Peter Schaffer, “Everything is fluid right now. Nothing concrete.”

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Don Banks at SI.com breaks down the upcoming NFL combine, and how teams are trying to find the secret formula the Giants used to draft seven players who all made a major impact on the road to a Super Bowl Championship.

Where would New York have been without fifth-round tight end Kevin Boss and seventh-round running back Ahmad Bradshaw once Jeremy Shockey and Derrick Ward went down with broken legs late in the regular season? And from December on, how essential were second-round receiver Steve Smith, third-round defensive tackle Jay Alford and first-round cornerback Aaron Ross, all of whom had their spotlight moments in the Super Bowl upset of the Patriots? Even fourth-round reserve linebacker/longsnapper Zak DeOssie — a guy who really made the radar screens of NFL teams at last year’s combine — was a contributor as a rookie.

The Giants will have a significantly tougher task ahead of them this time around because of their draft position and their off season planning being shortened by their run through the playoffs.

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Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger reports that the Giants are not yet close to a deal with impending free agent Gibril Wilson.

The Giants are aware the Eagles will be looking for a safety in free agency. And because Philly plays a similar defensive system to the one Spags brought up here last year, the Giants believe the Eagles will be hot for Wilson. So not only do they want to sign him, they also want to make sure he doesn’t land with their division rivals. Can you say leverage for Wilson and his agent?

Wilson, 26, was a 5th-round pick by the Giants back in 2004. He recorded 92 tackles and 4 interceptions this past season.

The Giants are likely to begin negotiating contracts with LB Kawika Mitchell and RB Derrick Ward within the next few days as they are free agents as well.

Garafolo also notes that veteran RB Reuben Droughns is due a $250,000 roster bonus on March 1st and could be released.

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Giants beat reporter Ernie Palladino chats with Giants GM Jerry Reese on his blog for the Journal News regarding the status of some Giants contracts.

Reese is working on offers for folks like LB Kawika Mitchell, S Gibril Wilson, RB Derrick Ward, and LB Reggie Torbor to lock them in before free-agency.

Talks have begun with Tom Coughlin and Reese expects a deal could come down in the next couple of days.

Head on over to Ernie’s blog at the Journal News for more information about how the Giants intend to approach the upcoming combine.

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