Jernigan expects to replace Manningham

Who's going to replace Mario Manningham? Jerrel Jernigan had his hand up before the question was even asked.

The Giants' 2011 draft pick said he is going into his second NFL season as if the job is his. He knows there still is a lot of time until that title is officially passed to him, but for now, he's claiming it . . . at least in his own mind.

"That's how I'm going into OTAs and the whole offseason approach, like I'm the number 3 receiver," he told Newsday Monday. "But we have other guys coming back. We have Domenik Hixon coming back and we also have Ramses Barden there. Coach will do the evaluation in the offseason and during camp and stuff, so we'll see. But I'm approaching it like I'm the third receiver."

Although he didn't catch a pass as a rookie, the 5-8, 189- pounder might end up with that role when the season starts. The Giants have lost Manningham to free agency -- he has agreed to a two-year deal with the 49ers -- and need someone to ride alongside Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. Jernigan was the player Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese mentioned at the combine last month when asked about the potential loss of Manningham.

"We drafted Jernigan in the third round," Reese said, "so we expect him to make the jump."

Jernigan's response: How high?

"I'm excited for the opportunity," he said. "Me and Mario were good friends when he was here, he taught me a lot of things, but it's pretty much a business now and I'm thankful for the opportunity to go out there and show everybody what I can do. I'm thankful that coach Coughlin and Jerry Reese are giving me an opportunity to step up to the plate and be the next man."

SEE PHOTOSFeb. 5, 2012: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI

Weatherford signs. Punter Steve Weatherford signed his five-year contract with the Giants. "I still don't want to feel like I have security, because I don't think it's good to get comfortable in my business," Weatherford said. "When you get complacent, then bad things happen. I want to continue to work hard like I always have and I want to continue to get better . . . I think the Giants have given me the commitment that I'm looking for."