Their concern now gets down to the specific needs as they perceive them, and that list includes an outside linebacker, a middle linebacker, a wide receiver, a defensive tackle and perhaps a left offensive tackle.

Some will be UFA material, others will come from the draft, and the Giants have a pair of second-round picks stemming from the New Orleans selection obtained (along with a fifth) for tight end Jeremy Shockey.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

Decisions will have to come fast and furious in the next two weeks, but the one the Giants would like to make will have to wait until at least March 31. That's the date of WR Plaxico Burress' court appearance in New York City, where he will face charges for, among other things, carrying a concealed, loaded handgun into a Manhattan night club the night of Nov. 29. New York City law insists that such a transgression is punishable with jail time from three-and-a-half to five years.

If Plaxico is spirited away, the Giants will definitely need an impact WR, and currently there doesn't appear to be one on the roster.

Other decisions will focus on draft needs, and which of those might be met by the judicious signing of UFA players.

The Giants don't normally deal with franchise and transition tags although they might consider a transition label for RB Derrick Ward, if not a franchise designation for RB Brandon Jacobs.

TOP THREE TEAM NEEDS

1. Wide Receiver: The consensus says the top need is a WR to replace Plaxico Burress, whose status is the epitome of uncertain. But there is also a need to replenish and improve the rest of that corps. Veteran Amani Toomer, who has spent his 12 NFL seasons with the Giants, is part of their UFA list and odds are that he will not be offered a new contract. The replacement for Burress, young Domenik Hixon, was not able to maintain his fast start and near the end of the season hurt the offense with drops. Steve Smith is a possession receiver. Sinorice Moss, a No. 2 pick in 2006, has been a major disappointment.

2. Outside/Inside Linebacker: In order to keep Mathias Kiwanuka at defensive end, the Giants need to find another potential starter at strong-side linebacker. WLB Danny Clark (UFA-2008) was moved out of position and played well but not spectacularly. Rookie Bryan Kehl showed flashes, as did fellow rookie Jonathan Goff until he was injured. Gerris Wilkinson can't stay healthy and after three seasons he might become a former Giant. Chase Blackburn, a natural middle linebacker, was used outside and showed some quickness problems.

3. Defensive Tackle: Despite another strong showing by Fred Robbins, his age is becoming a factor, as well as his weight. Barry Cofield has turned into a reliable run-stopper. Reserve Jay Alford shows bits and pieces of excellence but not enough; he needs more time to develop. One impact player in the middle could make the strong DE contingent even better.

MEDICAL WATCH: DE Osi Umenyiora missed the entire season with a knee injury suffered in a preseason game. The Pro Bowl performer's absence caused the move back to DE of Mathias Kiwanuka, who had been switched to SLB. Umenyiora has healed completely and is considered a strong factor for the 2009 season, during which new D-coordinator Bill Sheridan plans to use him, Justin Tuck (Pro Bowl-2009) and Kiwanuka (if another SLB cannot be found) in a lethal rotation.

--Other injuries of note included WR David Tyree (knee), OT Guy Whimper (foot) and rookie DE Robert Henderson (ankle), all of whom missed the entire 2008 season.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--SS James Butler was a first-time starter last season and played well, but his place will be taken by last year's No. 1 draft pick Kenny Phillips.

--K John Carney did well for the Giants on an interim basis but will not be offered a new contract at the age of 44.

--RB Brandon Jacobs is the one player the Giants MUST keep; he gained 1,089 yards last year with 15 rushing TDs and will command a gigantic contract.

--DE Jerome McDougle is unlikely to return.

--CB/KR R.W. McQuarters is on the bubble and if he'll take a reduced salary he might be re-signed.

--G/C Grey Ruegamer is a 10-year veteran and is useful; he is also not overly expensive.

--LB Rich Scanlon probably won't be back.

--WR Amani Toomer, the Giants' all-time leading receiver, will probably not be offered a new contract after 12 years with the team.

--RB Derrick Ward gained 1,025 yards and is the perfect backup for Brandon Jacobs but it is unlikely that the team can keep two such highly-paid running backs.

--QB Anthony Wright spent the year on injured reserve and probably won't get even that chance again.

--DE Renaldo Wynn was a stop-gap signee and should be dispatched.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--CB Kevin Dockery will be tendered.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: Unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--QB David Carr: Potential UFA; $2.1M/1 yr, $1M SB.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.

PLAYERS LOST

--RB Reuben Droughns (released).

--SS Sammy Knight (released).

--CB Sam Madison (released).