The Facts: When Dave Gettleman was hired as the Panthers general manager in January, most observers figured the former Giants executive would fill out his roster with former New York players. That New York-to-Charlotte pipeline might be gaining strength. Five days after the Panthers signed ex-Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn, they will host Hixon beginning Monday, according to a league source.
Diehards Line:Hixon, 28, has played five seasons with the Giants, mostly as a reserve. Hixon, 6-2 and 192 pounds, caught 39 passes for 567 yards last season, his most prolific since a 43-reception season in 2008. Hixon has appeared in 61 career games, with 13 starts and a 13.8 yards-per-catch average. Hixon, a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Giants, visited Oakland last week and also has drawn interest from Cleveland and Pittsburgh. If he signs with Carolina, Hixon would replace Louis Murphy in what would amount to a swap of No. 3 wideouts. Murphy, who held that role for the Panthers last season, recently signed with the Giants as a free agent.