NEW YORK -- The New York Giants started the process of improving their special teams return game by signing Domenik Hixon to a contract extension on Thursday.
Hixon missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered during the summer, and the Giants' punt return game suffered without him. The team also announced that it signed his replacement last year, Darius Reynaud, to a contract extension as well.
Also, with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire at midnight Friday morning, the Giants announced several other moves -- confirming that they offered second-round tenders to running back Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive tackle Barry Cofield, tight end Kevin Boss and defensive end Dave Tollefson.
Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and wide receiver Steve Smith each received an original round tender as did offensive lineman Kevin Boothe.
The Giants also tendered one-year deals to tight end/fullback Bear Pascoe and offensive lineman Jamon Meredith. Both are Exclusive Rights players.
The tender offers may end up becoming meaningless if a new collective bargaining agreement rules that restricted free agents are unrestricted free agents in the new upcoming year.
The Giants, who also signed running back Danny Ware to a contract extension on Wednesday, are glad to have Hixon back. Without Hixon, the Giants averaged 6.1 yards a punt return and their longest return was for 22 yards. They also averaged 19 yards per kickoff return.
"I thank God and I feel very blessed that I have an opportunity to come back to the New York Giants," Hixon told the Giants' website. "That's what I wanted. I love the New York Giants and being in New Jersey. It's been a blast. They have a great coaching staff and ownership and a team that I like. I really wanted to come back and I'm glad we were able to work something out."
Hixon said he will be ready for the season and might even be faster.
"I feel real comfortable, I feel strong," Hixon said. "I was joking with one of my buddies. We were running together and I told him, 'I feel like I gained a step.'
"I'm getting all the rust off now so when I get back out there I'll be ready for the season and be at full speed. I'm back doing everything full speed. I'm trying to simulate the season I missed with different things."
During the 2009 season, Hixon had 1,291 yards and a 22.6-yard average on kickoff returns. He also averaged 15.1 yards per punt return and had a 79-yard touchdown.
Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com.