Here are the latest Whispers we're hearing from our sources throughout the NFC:

• Even with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin going out of his way to point out Hakeem Nicks’ importance to the club following the season, that shouldn’t deter Victor Cruz from pushing to get an extension this offseason. The two sides tried to work out a deal during the season to no avail, and Cruz, who is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason, reportedly wants something in the average-per-year neighborhood of $8 million to $10 million. But it should be on the team’s front burner this offseason, and we expect it to happen eventually.

• We hear the Cowboys like what they saw from Jermey Parnell in his late-season rotation at right tackle with Doug Free. That could spell doom for Free and his massive contract returning to Dallas next season.

• A year ago our Buccaneers sources were wondering if DT Roy Miller had much of a future with the team having started only three games a season after starting all 16. However, Miller became one of the key cogs in the league’s No. 1 ranked run defense in 2012 and started 14 games. With his rookie contract due to expire this offseason, Miller has earned himself a new deal, and it’s likely that the Bucs will try to reward him.

• While the Cardinals’ search for a new head coach appears to have only just begun, we hear the team is a lot closer to finding a replacement for fired GM Rod Graves, with vice president of personnel Steve Keim, who has drawn some interest for vacant GM posts in San Diego and Jacksonville, considered to be a strong bet to eventually be promoted to the post. “It’s not a given, but I’d be surprised if Keim didn’t get the job at this point,” one team insider said.