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RELYING ON ROOKIE WR FRAUGHT WITH PERIL

Getting a rookie to step in and immediately make an impact is tough. For the Giants, getting a rookie receiver to step in and make an impact is practically impossible.

"It is a tough position to come in and play right away because defenses are so different in the NFL," Giants GM Jerry Reese said.

Reese knows this, yet it appears he will not give up his first-round draft pick -- the 29th overall -- in tomorrow's NFL Draft as part of a deal with the Browns for Braylon Edwards. Firmness or folly? We'll see.

What is certain is that, back in February, the Giants did speak with Browns GM George Kokinis about Edwards. No Giants players were ever discussed, according to someone with knowledge of the situation. No doubt, the Giants tossed around the idea of sending a 2009 second- and fifth-round draft pick to Cleveland for Edwards and the Browns balked at that, preferring the Giants at least include a first-round draft pick and probably also a third-rounder.

After that initial contact, there have been no conversations between the Giants and Browns, despite growing rumors with the coming of the draft.

Could something get done? Possibly, but not likely, as it looks as if Reese is prepared to search for help at receiver (and Plaxico Burress' replacement) in the draft.

There doesn't seem to be much of a significant trade market for Edwards, so if the Browns are truly interested in dealing him away their price will have to come down for the Giants to come calling.

Edwards is only 26 and would step in right away as the No. 1 target. Without him, the Giants would have to rely primarily on Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith, and cannot expect much out of any first-year receiver because history says that's the case.

Reese has been involved with the scouting department since 1994, and in that span 10 times the Giants used picks in the first three rounds to draft receivers: Thomas Lewis, Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Brian Alford, Joe Jurevicius, Ron Dixon, Tim Carter, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith and, most recently, Mario Manningham last year.

The most productive rookie season in that group? Jurevicius with nine catches for 146 yards in 1998.

Those 10 players in their first seasons combined for one touchdown. Hilliard's season in 1997 was short-circuited by a serious neck surgery in his second game, and Smith, after an injury-filled 2007 regular season, was a revelation in the playoffs.

Reese knows all this, which is why he realizes he can't sit back, wait for the 29th pick, take a receiver and expect that player to make any meaningful contribution this season.

There is no reason to believe that won't be the case for prospects such as Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina), Kenny Britt (Rutgers), Derrick Williams (Penn State) and Brian Robiskie (Ohio State).

Not all of them will be there at No. 29, but most of them will be, or in the second round at No. 45, when the Giants pick again.

"You just can't line up there and think you can run your route, because defenses change," Reese said. "As soon as the ball is snapped, the defense changes. You have to read defenses on the run. So it is tougher for young receivers to come in and do that."

LINK >> RELYING ON ROOKIE WR FRAUGHT WITH PERIL - New York Post

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