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Giants WR Manningham says leaving team a near certainty

Wide receiver Mario Manningham doesn't sound like he's expecting to help the New York Giants repeat next season.

Manningham, scheduled to become a free agent next month, told the Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator Friday that he's "75 percent" certain that he won't be back. Manningham, who was being honored in a ceremony in nearby Warren, Ohio, went to Warren Harding High School before playing college football at the University of Michigan.

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Manningham implied that the Giants don't necessarily offer him the best chance to win next season, despite their status as the reigning Super Bowl champions.

"How many times have you seen a repeat?" he told the newspaper.

Manningham also acknowledged quarterback Eli Manning is among the best in the league, but didn't give off the impression it would be that difficult to leave the Giants.

"He is, but there are a lot of good quarterbacks in this league," Manningham said. "I just want the ball more, that's all."

Sources have told CBSSports.com that Manningham is likely on his way out of New York and could be headed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Manningham's clutch catch late in the game was key to the Giants' victory in Super Bowl XLVI. However, with just 39 catches for 523 yards and four scores during the regular season, he was a distant third in production behind Victor Cruz (82 catches for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns) and Hakeem Nicks (76 catches for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns).

Manningham has 160 catches for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns in four seasons with the Giants.

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