Giants give Hixon, Reynaud one more shot
Giants receiver Domenik Hixon is brought down by Minnesota's Jamarca Sanford, left, and Tyrell Johnson, right. (Jan. 3, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
It was a disappointing season for two of the Giants' kickoff returners, but Domenik Hixon and Darius Reynaud will get a chance to try again in 2011. The two signed contract extensions Thursday, a day before they were due to become free agents.
Hixon missed the 2010 season after suffering a knee injury in minicamp last spring. The Giants traded for Reynaud just prior to the start of the season, hoping he could replace Hixon, but he never met expectations returning punts and kickoffs and had no role in the offense. The Giants finished 31st in the NFL in punt returns (6.1-yard average) and kickoff returns (19.0) while Reynaud lost his job.
The Giants also signed running back D.J. Ware to an extension this week. The three likely will compete for the job of returning kickoffs.
Hixon said he is excited about the chance to come back and play for the Giants after his surgery and rehabilitation.
"I feel real comfortable, I feel strong," Hixon said. "I was joking with one of my buddies. We were running together and I told him, 'I feel like I gained a step.' . . . I'm back doing everything full speed."
Hixon, who became a valuable receiver in 2009, also set Giants single-season records that year with 57 kickoff returns for 1,291 yards. He also returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown.
Jacobs wants Plax back. Brandon Jacobs, appearing on ESPN's SportsCenter Thursday, said he is hopeful the Giants will sign receiver Plaxico Burress when he gets out of prison in June.
"No question about it," Jacobs said. "For the people who don't want him back on the Giants, we can remove those people. I think it's something that we need to get done."
