Smith hopes 'things work out' with Giants
New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith celebrates his first-half touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. (Oct. 25, 2010) Credit: AP
EDGEWATER, N.J. - He's not buying a cowboy hat or spurs just yet, but Giants free agent wide receiver Steve Smith said he's ready for high noon -- whenever it comes.
Likening this year's free agent process to the "wild, wild west" because of uncertainty stemming from the NFL lockout, Smith said he's excited, even though he may have just days to sign.
"It's gonna be crazy," Smith told Newsday before speaking at a House Foods Tofu event. "It's an exciting time, but I'm just hoping things work out between me and the Giants."
During the event, an attendee prematurely congratulated Smith on returning to the Giants, to which he smiled and said, "It's not official yet."
A favorite target of Eli Manning, Smith helped the Giants to their Super Bowl championship after the 2007 season and had a Giants-record 107 catches in a 2009 season that ended with a Pro Bowl berth.
But Smith suffered a season-ending articular cartilage injury to his left knee this season during a Dec. 13 game against Minnesota and had microfracture surgery to repair it.
He said the knee is progressing.
"It's doing great," Smith said. "I just got to continue working at it. I'm running on the treadmill and doing a lot of different exercises I wasn't able to do before."
But when he'll be back to the offensive weapon the Giants are used to isn't certain yet.
"That's up to the doctors to decide," he said. "I got to listen to them. I feel great, but at the same time, I got to protect my future. So I just got to think long term."
But if it appears likely the Giants and Smith will eventually agree to a deal, the future of fellow former Giant Plaxico Burress is still up in the air. Reports suggest that Burress, the wide receiver who spent two years in prison after shooting himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub, might be headed to rival Philadelphia.
"I would just be happy for him whatever team he goes to," Smith said. "Just 'cause he's been through so much and he deserves another shot. But it would be disappointing for him to go to Philadelphia 'cause that's our rivals."
Smith said if Burress eventually returned to the Giants, he would welcome him back and that the two could team for a dangerous threat.
"That's a problem," he said. "Include Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and that's dangerous. Really."
