TruBlueCowboy
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Man... anyone feel like the Cowboys are getting left out in the cold in the NFC East? The Eagles and Giants are already going for the kill and the Skins will probably be joining if a new CBA gets done. It also bothers me how the Giants and Eagles are going after players that the Cowboys could use! (linebacker, offensive line, etc.)
http://www.nj.com/giants/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/114171404371310.xml&coll=1
Arrington, Madison top Giants' help-wanted list
The start of free agency is just two days away, but the Giants have begun actively pursuing at least one player to help them on defense.
And they could be after another one as well.
Cornerback Sam Madison, a nine-year veteran who was released by the Miami Dolphins last week, visited the Giants yesterday and took a physical, according to a team official. Madison arrived early in the morning and left late early in the evening.
General manager Ernie Accorsi declined comment when asked about the negotiations and Madison's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return several phone messages.
Meanwhile, one Giants player said yesterday that middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has begun making a big push for the team to sign outside linebacker LaVar Arrington, his former teammate with the Commanders.
Arrington, 27, was drafted second overall by Washington in 2000 and made three consecutive Pro Bowls beginning with his second season in the league when he recorded three interceptions. In 2002, the former Penn State star had a career-best 11 sacks and forced six fumbles the following season.
But Arrington's final two years in Washington were marred by a knee injury, a contract dispute and his being benched for one game this past season. At the time, the team said the benching was because Arrington was still recovering from his injury, but it was widely reported the coaching staff was upset with his undisciplined play in coordinator Gregg Williams' system.
On Sunday, Arrington agreed to a buyout of his contract instead of waiting until June to be released.
The Giants player, who requested anonymity, said the team is interested in Arrington, but isn't certain the franchise has enough money under the current salary cap to afford him. However, if the NFL owners accept the union's latest proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement today, the cap would rise about $10 million per team. That would give the Giants plenty of room to add Arrington.
The player also noted that while money will be a concern for Arrington, the fact that he forfeited $4 million to leave Washington is proof a good situation is also of major importance to him. Playing alongside Pierce on a team that is on the upswing could qualify as a good situation.
In a radio interview in Washington yesterday, Arrington said he wants to stay in the NFC East, but would prefer not to play for the Cowboys. That obviously leaves the Eagles and Giants as the top two on his list of potential destinations. In recent years, though, the Eagles have been reluctant to give big contracts to linebackers. Instead, they have settled on players such as Nate Wayne and former Giant Dhani Jones, who have come at discounted rates.
The Giants, who signed Pierce one year after adding outside linebacker and former Eagle Carlos Emmons in 2004, have been more willing to pour money into the position. Accorsi refused to comment on the team's interest in Arrington, whose agent, Carl Poston, did not return a phone message left at his office yesterday afternoon.
When asked yesterday on his way out of Giants Stadium if he had petitioned the team to pursue Arrington, Pierce would not comment. He did say, though, that he had recently been told by doctors he is back to 100 percent after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of the final three regular-season games and the playoff loss to the Panthers.
It was in that defeat to Carolina that the Giants' injury-depleted back seven was exploited. It then became obvious the team needed more depth and reliable veterans at linebacker and in the secondary.
Madison, who turns 32 in April, could be the first player added to fill such voids. However, he is no longer the shutdown corner who had 20 interceptions combined in 1998-2000. In fact, Miami cut him even though he was willing to take a pay cut.
The Giants would like to add Madison at a discounted rate. With Will Allen likely to leave once free agency begins, Corey Webster entering his second year and Will Peterson's health uncertain, a player like Madison could be a reliable third corner and possibly a starter.
http://www.nj.com/giants/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/114171404371310.xml&coll=1
Arrington, Madison top Giants' help-wanted list
The start of free agency is just two days away, but the Giants have begun actively pursuing at least one player to help them on defense.
And they could be after another one as well.
Cornerback Sam Madison, a nine-year veteran who was released by the Miami Dolphins last week, visited the Giants yesterday and took a physical, according to a team official. Madison arrived early in the morning and left late early in the evening.
General manager Ernie Accorsi declined comment when asked about the negotiations and Madison's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return several phone messages.
Meanwhile, one Giants player said yesterday that middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has begun making a big push for the team to sign outside linebacker LaVar Arrington, his former teammate with the Commanders.
Arrington, 27, was drafted second overall by Washington in 2000 and made three consecutive Pro Bowls beginning with his second season in the league when he recorded three interceptions. In 2002, the former Penn State star had a career-best 11 sacks and forced six fumbles the following season.
But Arrington's final two years in Washington were marred by a knee injury, a contract dispute and his being benched for one game this past season. At the time, the team said the benching was because Arrington was still recovering from his injury, but it was widely reported the coaching staff was upset with his undisciplined play in coordinator Gregg Williams' system.
On Sunday, Arrington agreed to a buyout of his contract instead of waiting until June to be released.
The Giants player, who requested anonymity, said the team is interested in Arrington, but isn't certain the franchise has enough money under the current salary cap to afford him. However, if the NFL owners accept the union's latest proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement today, the cap would rise about $10 million per team. That would give the Giants plenty of room to add Arrington.
The player also noted that while money will be a concern for Arrington, the fact that he forfeited $4 million to leave Washington is proof a good situation is also of major importance to him. Playing alongside Pierce on a team that is on the upswing could qualify as a good situation.
In a radio interview in Washington yesterday, Arrington said he wants to stay in the NFC East, but would prefer not to play for the Cowboys. That obviously leaves the Eagles and Giants as the top two on his list of potential destinations. In recent years, though, the Eagles have been reluctant to give big contracts to linebackers. Instead, they have settled on players such as Nate Wayne and former Giant Dhani Jones, who have come at discounted rates.
The Giants, who signed Pierce one year after adding outside linebacker and former Eagle Carlos Emmons in 2004, have been more willing to pour money into the position. Accorsi refused to comment on the team's interest in Arrington, whose agent, Carl Poston, did not return a phone message left at his office yesterday afternoon.
When asked yesterday on his way out of Giants Stadium if he had petitioned the team to pursue Arrington, Pierce would not comment. He did say, though, that he had recently been told by doctors he is back to 100 percent after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of the final three regular-season games and the playoff loss to the Panthers.
It was in that defeat to Carolina that the Giants' injury-depleted back seven was exploited. It then became obvious the team needed more depth and reliable veterans at linebacker and in the secondary.
Madison, who turns 32 in April, could be the first player added to fill such voids. However, he is no longer the shutdown corner who had 20 interceptions combined in 1998-2000. In fact, Miami cut him even though he was willing to take a pay cut.
The Giants would like to add Madison at a discounted rate. With Will Allen likely to leave once free agency begins, Corey Webster entering his second year and Will Peterson's health uncertain, a player like Madison could be a reliable third corner and possibly a starter.
: Physical or no, it's still speculation.
