For all the talk about providing quarterback Eli Manning with more weapons and protection, the Giants were always most interested in adding a middle linebacker in the NFL free agency grab-bag that began yesterday. They snagged their top choice when they agreed to terms with Antonio Pierce, stealing him away from the rival Redskins.
This was quite a move for the Giants, considering there was rampant speculation that they were locked in serious negotiations with Kendrell Bell, the Steelers linebacker who has close ties to the Giants defensive coordinator, Tim Lewis, from their days together in Pittsburgh. Indeed, the Giants had Bell in for a physical but a source said he was always the second choice to Pierce.
This is the player the Giants targeted to strengthen the middle of their defense. Pierce, 26, is considered an emerging performer who is coming off, by far, the best season of his four in the NFL. As a full-timer for the first time, Pierce started all 16 games and had 112 tackles for the Redskins (the Skins stats had him for 160 tackles) along with two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble for the league’s third-ranked defense. He totaled 16 tackles in two games against the Giants. He’s a natural in the middle, calling plays and directing traffic. The Giants got him on a six-year, $26 million package that includes a signing bonus of $6.5 million. The deal is cap-friendly for the 2005 season, giving the Giants more room to make additional moves.
Thus completes a dramatic overhaul of the linebacker corps. The Giants added Carlos Emmons and Barrett Green via free agency a year ago and now finished the alterations with Pierce, who was not drafted out of Arizona when he signed with Washington in 2001.
After using hard-working but limited Kevin Lewis at middle linebacker last season, the Giants realized they needed an upgrade.
There was word out of Green Bay that highly regarded guard Mike Wahle would land in New York with the Giants and had already scheduled a visit. Untrue. A Giants source said Wahle is not in their plans. The Packers were forced to cut Wahle in a salary cap dump and are not optimistic about their chances to bring him back. Wahle, 28, is a left guard who could have tried to sell himself to the Giants as a right tackle.
The Giants, looking for a backup quarterback, exchanged messages with the agent for Dolphin Jay Fiedler and are trying to set up a visit, according to Brian Levy, who represents Fiedler, a Long Island native.
Steeler Plaxico Burress, the most intriguing receiver on the market, is likely headed for Minnesota to replace Randy Moss. The Giants yesterday made contact with Michael Harrison, the agent for Burress, who was led to believe the Giants want to address other priorities first.
“I have talked to the Giants very briefly,” Harrison said. “I think their top priority was offensive line and linebacker, and then they’re gonna kind of flip it and see what’s going on, see how much money they have left.”
Running back Ron Dayne, the former Heisman Trophy winner who never made it big with the Giants, has attracted interest from the Texans.
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COMINGS & GOINGS
A look at some of the dealings during the first day of the free-agent signing period:
POS. — PLAYER — NEW TEAM — OLD TEAM
DT Jason Ferguson Cowboys Jets
LB Antonio Pierce Giants Redskins
LB Dexter Coakley Rams Cowboys
WR Derrick Mason Ravens Titans
DB Anthony Henry Cowboys Browns
PK Matt Bryant Buccaneers Dolphins
C Casey Rabach Redskins Ravens
POS. — PLAYER — RE-SIGNED WITH
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh Bengals
RB Correll Buckhalter Eagles
POS. — PLAYER — TRADED TO — TRADED BY
WR Randy Moss Raiders Vikings
LB Napoleon Harris Vikings Raiders
DT Gerard Warren Broncos Browns
