NFL

Barden found no suitors on the open market, so he comes crawling back to the team he expected to move on from. The 2009 third-round pick went off for nine catches and 138 yards in a Week 3 Thursday night game at Carolina last year, but has still totaled just 29 catches for 394 yards and no touchdowns in the NFL. Barden won't push the exciting Rueben Randle for No. 3 wideout duties.

This situation could get cleared up quickly if Nicks' camp would just say why he hasn't shown up. Instead, his agent has strongly denied the absence is contract related, but won't offer any more details. Nicks was in New York as of Tuesday night, so perhaps he'll show up this week to explain. He doesn't have much leverage after posting an injury-plagued 53/692/2 line last season.

It's actually a positive revelation for Hynoski. When he went down during Wednesday's OTA session, it looked like Hynoski could have blown out his ACL or patella. Instead, he will undergo surgery Friday and has a realistic shot at being back for Week 1. Hynoski graded out as Pro Football Focus' fifth-best fullback in terms of lead blocking last season.

Randle isn't facing any real competition for the No. 3 gig. Domenik Hixon is gone, Jerrel Jernigan is working in the slot and Murphy is a situational deep threat. Even if/when Ramses Barden re-signs, he won't truly challenge. With Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks both skipping OTAs, Randle is running as the No. 1 wideout. Entering his second NFL season, there's a ton to like about the 6'3/210 LSU product. Despite a 19/298/3 line last season, Randle's tape was impressive.

"I was just selfish and self-centered," he said. "I was more about me than I was the Seahawks at the time. I was more focused on my own desires versus the franchise and the team. It was immaturity, and I'm glad I got past that stage." Curry inked a six-year, $60 million deal with $34 million guaranteed in 2009. He lasted just two and a half seasons in Seattle, and he surely isn't the first or last rookie that felt invincible after a fat paycheck. Fortunately for NFL teams, the new rookie wage scale makes it a bit easier to compete and get rid of a first-round bust. Curry, 27, is now playing for the veteran's minimum in New York.

The Giants now have a double dose of financially unhappy receivers in Nicks and restricted free agent Victor Cruz. Coach Tom Coughlin was noticeably irritated that Nicks was a no-show for "voluntary" OTAs, saying that the receiver "should be here." With Cruz seeking $8-10 million annually on a long-term deal, Cole expects Nicks to seek "closer to the range" of $10 million per year and possibly more. Nicks is expected to show up to the facility sometime this week, and we really wouldn't expect a long-term contract worked out before training camp.

Williams' injury is of the PCL variety, and cost him six games last season. "Just kind of taking my time with it," Williams said. "It is a day to day thing. It is getting better. Definitely better than it was. That's all." Williams will compete with Spencer Paysinger to replace Michael Boley at weak-side linebacker.