John Fennelly , Executive Editor

Something’s missing this morning. Wait…..it’s that extra hour of sleep I’m used to. It’s getting late early around here. The Giants are up to a few things behind the scenes…..

Signing TE Martellus Bennett is high on Jerry Reese’s to-do list this weekend. According to SNYGiants insider Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News, the Blue is trying to keep the self-proclaimed Black Unicorn from off the free-agent market:

It appears they are making a late – and possibly last – push to re-sign Martellus Bennett before the free agent signing period begins. The two sides have talked in the last few days, according to a source, and plan to talk more before the deadline. At the moment, though, there’s no indication that an agreement is close.

“I am and will continue communicating with the Giants,” Bennett’s agent, Kennard McGuire, wrote in an email to the Daily News on Saturday. “Martellus is still in New York, and we are taking it one day at a time.”

Another priority for Reese is OL Kevin Boothe, but he’s suddenly got company for Boothe’s services – the Bears…

From Rotoworld: Mike Garafolo of USA Today reports the Bears are “lurking” with free agent Kevin Boothe. Chicago has been mentioned as a possible destination for top free agent OG Andy Levitre, but his price tag is rising as teams battle over he and Louis Vasquez. It’s more likely the Bears settle for one of the second-tier guards like Boothe, Brandon Moore, or Donald Thomas. They don’t have a ton of cap room at the moment.

Ralph also reports that the Giants are looking to bring LB Chase Blackburn back, but at their price:

LB Chase Blackburn will test the free agent market on Tuesday, his agent confirmed. The Giants, according to a source, would like him back but only on a one-year deal with a minimum salary.

The Browns’ explosive KR Josh Cribbs will be a free agent come Tuesday and the Giants are rumored to be one of the teams showing some interest…

Per @MaryKayCabot, the Giants are among teams that have expressed interest in WR/KR Joshua Cribbs, along with SF, ARI, DAL and NE. #nyg—
Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) March 09, 2013

Our partners at Rotoworld are warning to take this tidbit with a grain of salt:

We wouldn’t be surprised if any of the above teams signed Cribbs, but this information seems agent driven. Cribbs turns 30 soon, is limited to special teams, and doesn’t contribute at wide receiver. He’s hardly a hot free-agent item.