--Five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brad Van Pelt, once the Giants' second round draft pick in 1973, died suddenly at his home in Michigan of an apparent heart attack. Van Pelt, 6-5 and 235 when he played, became part of the famous "Crunch Bunch" group of linebackers when the Giants employed a 3-4 defense. The others were Harry Carson, Brian Kelley and Lawrence Taylor. Both Van Pelt and Taylor are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
--The Giants will receive the second- and fifth-round draft picks from the New Orleans Saints during the April 25-26 college player selection as payment for the trade of TE Jeremy Shockey last summer. There are teams petitioning them to trade one or both of those selections for a first round pick, which might provide the Giants with a blue-chipper at a position they want to fill. Nothing has been acknowledged, however, although they have their eyes on a quality WR such as Michael Crabtree or a top OT such as Andre Smith.
--If Derrick Ward signs elsewhere during the UFA period, the Giants might not bother to draft another RB. They'll be left with Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and last summer's preseason sensation Danny Ware.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I am pleased that we were able to pull this off. I didn't want to lose Brandon (Jacobs) and at the same time I have an obligation to do what is best for the Giants. This works out well all around." -- Giants' GM Jerry Reese on the franchise tag application to the star RB.
