bubba9497
March-3rd-2005, 05:34 AM
Giants close to landing linebacker Pierce
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/286191p-245054c.html
The Giants spent the first day of free agency courting one of the top linebackers on the market. But he isn't the one they're about to sign.
Despite spending the day with Steelers middle linebacker Kendrell Bell at Giants Stadium, the Giants were on the verge of a deal last night with former Redskins linebacker Antonio Pierce. The two sides were closing in a six-year deal believed to be worth $26 million with a $6.5 million signing bonus and could be signed as early as today.
The Giants are also pursuing Jets right tackle Kareem McKenzie and Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress. McKenzie could be their next free-agent target; with Burress, they're taking a wait-and-see approach until his market is set.
In the meantime, Pierce is expected at Giants Stadium early today, possibly to sign his contract. It's a surprising development considering the amount of time Bell, limited to three games last year because of a hernia, spent at Giants Stadium yesterday. The 26-year-old, who played for Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis in Pittsburgh, arrived early on the first day of free agency and had a physical. Soon word spread around the NFL that the Giants and Bell had come to a deal.
But that deal, which was rumored to include a $13 million signing bonus, turned out to be false alarm. It's not clear why the Giants backed off - whether it was his contract demands or something from his physical. But Bell left Giants Stadium with no contract and headed home.
That opened the door for Pierce, who did not visit the Giants yesterday. He initially appeared to be a fallback option in case their pursuit of Bell failed.
Negotiations apparently picked up with Pierce's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, after Bell left.
The loss of Pierce will be a blow to the Redskins, the team he broke in with in 2001. They considered him a budding star who blossomed when he became the starter at middle linebacker last season after former Giant Mike Barrow got hurt. Pierce responded with 112 tackles, one sack and two interceptions, including one returned for a TD.
He would replace Kevin Lewis as the Giants' starting middle linebacker.
The Giants now will turn their attention to the offensive line. McKenzie's agent, Kevin Poston, spoke with the Giants yesterday. The Giants apparently lost out on left tackle Jonas Jennings to the San Francisco 49ers and guard/tackle Mike Wahle to the Carolina Panthers. They're also interested in former Titans tackle Fred Miller.
NO GREEN: The Giants are not interested in trading for Cleveland RB William Green, according to several team sources. In fact, they're close to re-signing RB Mike Cloud, who could see an increased role as Tiki Barber's backup next season. . . . QB Jay Fiedler is expected to visit this week. . . . The Giants are reportedly interested in DE Jay Williams, who was released last week by the Dolphins.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/286191p-245054c.html
The Giants spent the first day of free agency courting one of the top linebackers on the market. But he isn't the one they're about to sign.
Despite spending the day with Steelers middle linebacker Kendrell Bell at Giants Stadium, the Giants were on the verge of a deal last night with former Redskins linebacker Antonio Pierce. The two sides were closing in a six-year deal believed to be worth $26 million with a $6.5 million signing bonus and could be signed as early as today.
The Giants are also pursuing Jets right tackle Kareem McKenzie and Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress. McKenzie could be their next free-agent target; with Burress, they're taking a wait-and-see approach until his market is set.
In the meantime, Pierce is expected at Giants Stadium early today, possibly to sign his contract. It's a surprising development considering the amount of time Bell, limited to three games last year because of a hernia, spent at Giants Stadium yesterday. The 26-year-old, who played for Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis in Pittsburgh, arrived early on the first day of free agency and had a physical. Soon word spread around the NFL that the Giants and Bell had come to a deal.
But that deal, which was rumored to include a $13 million signing bonus, turned out to be false alarm. It's not clear why the Giants backed off - whether it was his contract demands or something from his physical. But Bell left Giants Stadium with no contract and headed home.
That opened the door for Pierce, who did not visit the Giants yesterday. He initially appeared to be a fallback option in case their pursuit of Bell failed.
Negotiations apparently picked up with Pierce's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, after Bell left.
The loss of Pierce will be a blow to the Redskins, the team he broke in with in 2001. They considered him a budding star who blossomed when he became the starter at middle linebacker last season after former Giant Mike Barrow got hurt. Pierce responded with 112 tackles, one sack and two interceptions, including one returned for a TD.
He would replace Kevin Lewis as the Giants' starting middle linebacker.
The Giants now will turn their attention to the offensive line. McKenzie's agent, Kevin Poston, spoke with the Giants yesterday. The Giants apparently lost out on left tackle Jonas Jennings to the San Francisco 49ers and guard/tackle Mike Wahle to the Carolina Panthers. They're also interested in former Titans tackle Fred Miller.
NO GREEN: The Giants are not interested in trading for Cleveland RB William Green, according to several team sources. In fact, they're close to re-signing RB Mike Cloud, who could see an increased role as Tiki Barber's backup next season. . . . QB Jay Fiedler is expected to visit this week. . . . The Giants are reportedly interested in DE Jay Williams, who was released last week by the Dolphins.