Giants hire Martin Mayhew for front office

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have hired former Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew as their director of football operations/special projects.

The Giants announced the hiring on Thursday, saying Mayhew will help assistant general manager Kevin Abrams on all aspects of the salary cap, CBA compliance and player contract negotiations. He will also handle special projects as assigned by general manager Jerry Reese.

The Giants had an opening in their front office after the departure of Matt Harriss, who recently joined the Lions as their vice president of football administration. Harriss had been the Giants' director of football operations.

Mayhew, who played in the NFL for nine seasons, spent 15 seasons with the Lions. He was the team's general manager from late 2008 until last November.