Domenik Hixon wants to "repay" Giants for re-signing him

Domenik Hixon is one happy man tonight and vowed to "repay" the New York Giants for signing him to a new contract even after only playing four games— due to two ACL tears on his right knee— for the team over the past two seasons.

The speedy wide-out was in New York this morning to have his knee examined before meeting with Giants GM Jerry Reese at the team's facility in New Jersey.

He signed an undisclosed contract to return for a sixth season with the Giants.

Hixon couldn't contain his enthusiasm and tweeted,"I Just got done officially signing back with the Superbowl champs!!! #blessed #readytoplay."

How doubly refreshing for a pro athlete to know when he's been given an opportunity to play on a great team and for a pro franchise to show confidence in a player with a good work ethic and bad luck by giving him another shot.

"They gave me an opportunity when I got released from Denver (in 2007)," Hixon said in a press release after the signing.  "And then these past two years with knee injuries.  They stuck with me.  They could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me.  But they didn't do that.  They treated me the same and I really appreciate that."

Hixon is confident he'll be ready for the start of training camp and was told by the team physician Russ Warren he'll even be able to get some work in during the off-season workouts, OTAs and minicamp.

The 27-year old will follow the doctor's orders and believes he can come back strong after tearing his knee during a spectacular catch in only the second game of the 2011 season.

"We're just fine-tuning things now," said Hixon.  "My goal when I get back is to be at full speed and show the training staff and everyone else I'm physically ready to play and play it for years to come."

It sounds like Hixon will be battling it out with Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan for the third spot in the receiving corps behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks if free-agent Mario Manningham leaves.

Manningham— one of 20 free-agents on the Giants— is trying to cash in on his impressive postseason and big fourth quarter Super Bowl catch.  He has already stated that he thinks the odds of him returning to the Meadowlands are slim.

On the other hand, the Giants will be keeping a player hungry to play and who downplays missing the bulk of two seasons as "interruptions."

"I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn't that big," said Hixon.  "But in this situation, I really felt like I wanted to be here.  They helped me  but time and time again.  I wanted to stay here and repay that."

Classy guy and classy organization.