While Domenik Hixon is listed as the starting wide receiver for the Giants opposite Steve Smith, that spot doesn’t figure to be his for long.

With Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham waiting in the wings, Hixon, a fourth round choice for Denver in 2006, will have a tough time hanging on to his starting role.

Hixon’s stand out game came against Seattle last season. He had 102 receiving yards, and 8 catches. He also had a touchdown in the game. However Seattle wasn’t a very good football team.

His play was mixed, however, during the rest of the year. Who can forget the pass he missed when he was wide open against the Eagles? Hixon has admitted that he needs to put previous plays behind him and concentrate on the current play at hand.

I believe Nicks or Manningham will get the starting nod over Hixon when the Giants play the Redskins in their opener. I see Hixon as more of a third wide receiver. He’s got the speed, but he doesn’t seem to have the concentration, or the body type to be a number one guy.

As far as Ramses Barden; he’s the wild card. I can see him helping in the red zone and some passing situations, but unless he learns the system quickly, it will take him time to step onto the field.

If the Giants were so happy with Hixon at the receiver position, why did they draft Nicks, and Barden, not to mention Travis Beckum, who appears to be in Big Blue’s plans this season?

Hixon is a good player, but I’d rather see him as a third wide receiver and a return specialist. Let’s give the other guys a chance.

The Giants have signed Travis Beckum, one of their third round picks. WR Hakeem Nicks (first round), LB Clint Sintim (second) and OT William Beatty (third) have not yet signed.

To make room on the roster for Beckum, the Giants cut DE Alex Field.

Here’s a quote from Sinorice Moss regarding his injury:

“It’s not serious,” Moss said, adding, “It was frustrating because it was the end of practice. I felt something in my leg — something I didn’t really want to feel. … I know when it’s something that’s serious and when it’s something where you just need to rest your legs. I just feel like one of those things.”

From Tom Coughlin on the injuries to his players:

“There are different degrees of strains, but we’ve been looking at a couple of young guys that have been out forever,” Coughlin said. “Why they’re not progressing to the point they can come back …”

PM Practice Report:

• Eli Manning hit Domenik Hixon on a play action pass over the middle. Hixon has been getting good separation from defenders all spring.
• At one point, Dave Tollefson and Darcy Johnson mixed it up with a short scuffle.
• Guy Wimper lined up at right tackle

AM Practice Report:

• Domenik Hixon made a nice catch in between double coverage.
• Ramses Barden made a diving catch for 20 yards

For more information on both AM and PM practices read Patricia Traina’s blog.

CB Corey Webster (shoulder), DT Fred Robbins (knee), DT Barry Cofield (knee), OT William Beatty (hamstring), DT Rocky Bernard (shoulder), WR Taye Biddle (finger), TE Travis Beckum (hamstring), and TE Lee Vickers (unknown) did not practice. LB Clint Sintim (hamstring) was limited. WR David Tyree (hamstring) started to practice, but left after a few plays.

From The Giants Afternoon Practice:

• Sinorice Moss strained a hamstring in a 2:00 drill to end practice. He did make a diving catch on the ball thrown by David Carr.
• Lawrence Tynes was 3-4 on field goal attempts.
• Hakeem Nicks made a nice grab on 7-on-7 drills

Gerris Wilkinson is fighting to remain with Big Blue. He hopes to put questions on his ability to play for the Giants behind him:

“I feel like I’ve definitely been improving,” he added. “Now I’m just trying to work on the details. I’m pretty comfortable with his defense. I’ve been in it for three years now. And I’m comfortable with the coaches and the team and everything. It’s just a matter of focusing on details and staying healthy.”

Terrell Thomas On Sinorice Moss:

“I think his back is against the wall. We drafted two wide receivers and he really hasn’t played to the potential that he has. He’s one of my good friends and we talk about it all the time. He’s just waiting for his opportunity. He’s a hard-worker and I think it’s really starting to show. Plus he’s in a contract year this year and for some reason when people are in contract years they play better.”

Morning Big Blue Practice:

• Sinorice Moss (there’s that name again) made a pair of nifty over-the-shoulder catches on deep passes
• Kevin Boss made a nice play in the end zone, pinning the ball to his butt with his right hand on a pass from Eli Manning
• Hakeem Nicks made some nice catches
• David Carr looked sharp
• Mario Manningham made a nice over-the-shoulder catch with Terrell Thomas in close coverage.

That’s it for today. Stay tuned for more New York Giants news.