Terrell

Thomas

Thomas was widely pegged as a zone corner or free safety coming out of USC, but he’ll have to play a good amount of man in DC Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. Thomas is unlikely to start as a rookie. Palmer is a camp body.

Thomas missed all of 2011-12 after suffering back-to-back ACL tears, but appeared in all 16 games last season. He played 588 snaps, notching one pick. Now 29 with an ominous injury history, Thomas shouldn’t command much in the way of guaranteed money. He’s the kind of veteran spare part Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has grown obsessed with.

Coughlin said Thomas is doing “very well” in his rehab. The 27-year-old has made it clear that his preference is to return to the Super Bowl champs. Goff is expected back on a short-term, low-risk contract.

Thomas assured “talks are going well,” and he’s confident that his knee will be ready for training camp. With Aaron Ross set to reach free agency, Thomas could rejoin the starting lineup in 2012.

Thomas had yet to resume sprinting as of early March, but has apparently taken the final rehab steps in the two months since. The G-Men wouldn’t have guaranteed Thomas $11 million if they didn’t believe he was close to 100 percent. Provided he stays that way, Thomas will start opposite Corey Webster.

The deal includes $11 million guaranteed and an option year. It’s a nice haul for a player recovering from the second torn right ACL of his career. Thomas has yet to resume sprinting, but is tentatively expected to be ready for training camp. His re-signing means the end of fellow free agent Aaron Ross’ time in New York. Thomas graded out as just the league’s 60th best corner by Pro Football Focus in 2010 before missing all of 2011. He is an efficient tackler with playmaking ability when healthy, though. This was a big signing for the Giants, keeping a top-five free agent cornerback from hitting the market.

Thomas resumed cutting and backpedalling two weeks ago, but is still only capable of a “nice-speed jog” as he rehabs from the second torn right ACL of his football-playing career. Although he assured he was “closing in on” a new deal with the Giants nine days ago, he now appears set to hit the open market.

It’s been nearly five months since his tear and Thomas will be anxious to prove his health as he enters free agency. The Giants ranked 29th in the league against the pass during the regular season.

The G-Men will probably lose fellow free agent Aaron Ross, and when healthy Thomas is a better player anyway. So we suspect the feeling is mutual. “Why wouldn’t I want to come back to the Super Bowl champs?” Thomas said. “I’d be a fool to leave right now.” Thomas, who tore his right ACL during the 2011 preseason, says his knee rehab is “about three weeks ahead of schedule.”

Thomas had to wait over a month before undergoing reconstructive surgery, and the right ACL tear was the second of his football career. Emerging as a playmaking corner before the injury, Thomas has had no contract talks with the Giants. “Once the season’s over, it’s all about me hopefully re-signing with the Giants and moving forward,” he said. Thomas turned 27 earlier this month. He may have to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal on the open market.