When Ernie Accorsi the other day admitted his offensive line needed considerable improvement, and that he wasn’t afraid of wholesale changes, the Giants GM wasn’t kidding. The suddenly wheeler-dealer Giants yesterday made another important move, importing their new starting center by signing free-agent Dusty Zeigler.
The addition helped offset the loss of left tackle Roman Oben, who yesterday signed with the Browns a three-year deal worth $10.8 million. Oben, who started every game for the Giants the past three years, spurned the Giants’ five-year, $16 million offer. The Giants wanted Oben back, but not enough to up their ante any more than they already did.
Oben said he held no animosity toward the Giants, adding, “What I got was a better deal in a shorter time,” Oben said. “The Browns have confidence my best years are ahead of me and feel I can be their left tackle.”
Coming on the heels of the signing of linebacker Mike Barrow, bringing in Zeigler figures to upgrade the offensive line and solidify the center position, a spot in a state of flux after the Giants cut Brian Williams. Zeigler, 26, is a young, versatile veteran who was a starter the past three years for the Bills. Zeigler received a five-year, $9 million contract, including a signing bonus of $1.9 million. Once again, Accorsi was able to put together a cap-friendly deal, as Zeigler will earn the minimum $413,000 for this season, making his salary-cap number a manageable $793,000.
The Bills thought they had an agreement with Zeigler and actually offered him slightly more money than the Giants did. But according to Neil Schwartz, Zeigler’s agent, Zeigler was impressed with Jim Fassel and offensive line coach Jim McNally.
“It was really close [with Buffalo], but in my heart I really wanted to come here, and I think I made the right decision,” Zeigler told The Post last night. “I was really pumped up about this place. In my heart I know I made the right decision.”
Originally a sixth-round pick of the Bills in 1996, the 6-5, 298-pound Zeigler was Buffalo’s starting center in both 1997 and 1998, but was demoted last season and eventually settled in and started 15 games at right guard.
