Smith unlikely to be himself this year

Steve Smith visited the Giants Monday night, and although it was mostly for a medical update and no deal was hammered out, there's a chance he could be re-signed and back on the roster soon. But even if the free agent does return, let's face it, the Giants won't have Steve Smith back. Not the full one, anyway.

Smith had microfracture surgery late last year and began running only last month. The first year back from such a procedure is always a down year for the player, as safety Kenny Phillips found out in 2010. "A lot of guys were telling me it was going to take a year, but I was doing my best to try to prove them wrong," he said last week. "It turns out they were right."

So the Giants will be getting a shadow of the Steve Smith who was their first Pro Bowl receiver in two generations. Mario Manningham steps into a starting role and Hakeem Nicks said he is ready to break out in his third NFL season, but it leaves a big hole for the offense at the No. 3 position. With tight end Kevin Boss having signed with the Raiders, it becomes even more important for the Giants to find someone capable of playing in the slot and taking pressure off the two outside weapons on passing downs.

"We're going to find that out," Tom Coughlin said when asked who that player will be. "We're going to work that out . . . There's a lot of room for a lot of people if they could just improve and come along."

The Giants were looking for Ramses Barden to assert himself for that role, but he has yet to practice, starting camp on the PUP list after having ankle surgery in the offseason. Domenik Hixon probably has the lead in the race, but he's practicing only every other day coming off his own knee surgery -- although he is several months ahead of Smith in terms of recovery.

Victor Cruz had some first-team reps with the offense this week because of injuries, and he could be a candidate. Rookie Jerrel Jernigan has shown flashes in practice and veteran Darius Reynaud has performed better in this camp than he ever did during his disappointing first season with the Giants in 2010.

"I've been impressed," Nicks said. "I think guys are stepping up to the plate and competing."

Hixon said he believes he can win the job even while practicing every other day. Cruz may be the most intriguing option. He was the MVP of the preseason last summer but never made much impact once the regular season began and wound up on injured reserve with a hamstring injury before October.

Now he's back for a second go, and this time he's hoping not just to make the roster but to make a difference. "My goal is to get that third receiver position," Cruz said. "I understand this offense a lot better this year and I'm just trying to show the coaches that I'm comfortable. The coaches and the whole staff will make the decision."

Even though it could mean he'd miss out on some playing time, Cruz said he hopes Smith returns quickly. "It would be great," he said. "He helped me so much throughout my injury. He would talk to me and tell me to get into the playbook and just understand it. 'Make sure you know it because when your time comes, it is not a factor. Make sure it is not an issue.'

"He was one of my mentors and I look up to the guy. Hopefully we can get him back, and if not, I wish him the best with whatever he does in the future."