Star Ledger: Giants look at Free Agents
DoctorElefant
<<Giants: Gauge open market
Woo Raiders DT Coleman as Griffin signs with 'Skins
Thursday, March 04, 2004
BY KIMBERLY JONES
Star-Ledger Staff
Going into free agency, the Giants said they were confident in their plan to
target certain players and go after them.
That began yesterday, as the NFL's bidding commenced, when defensive tackle Rod
Coleman, linebacker Clark Haggans and guard Mike Goff arrived for visits with
the Giants. The trio joined several staff members at dinner last night,
according to the agents of several players.
Coleman, who became a free agent after voiding the last two years of his
Raiders contract, could fill what has become a pressing need. Giants free-agent
defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin signed yesterday with the Redskins. Ex-Jet
Steve Martin (Texans) is also expected to visit shortly.
Coleman, 27, played under Giants defensive line coach Mike Wauffle in Oakland.
In five seasons, Coleman has 28 1/2 sacks, including 11 to lead all NFL
defensive tackles in 2002.
Goff, 28, a six-year Bengal and four-year starter, would help to stabilize the
interior of an offensive line that had an awful 2003 season and likely will
lose center Chris Bober in free agency.
Haggans, 27, played under Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis in Pittsburgh.
He was a 3-4 linebacker and special teams captain for the Steelers last season.
He has a visit scheduled today in Detroit, according to his agent, Jeffrey
Sperbeck.
The Giants are expecting a visit today from Eagles linebacker Carlos Emmons,
according to Ron Slavin, an assistant to agent Michael Bauer. Emmons, the
Eagles' best linebacker and defensive MVP last season, broke his left fibula in
the 15th game and is not yet able to work out. He is coming off perhaps the
best of his eight seasons, with 119 tackles and two sacks.
Emmons spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh when Lewis was defensive
backs coach. Emmons, 30, is scheduled to visit the Saints over the weekend and
the Steelers on Monday.
While other teams made headlines yesterday -- including the Eagles' deal with
Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse -- general manager Ernie Accorsi had
previously warned that the Giants would take a "prudent" and "patient"
approach.
Coach Tom Coughlin said yesterday that he was not concerned about maintaining
pace with the active Redskins, who signed Griffin and cornerback Shawn Springs
in addition to introducing new quarterback Mark Brunell with their deal for
Broncos running back Clinton Portis pending.
"It's not a matter of keeping up, it's a matter of fitting the pieces in the
puzzle together," Coughlin said. "We have to be very careful how we go about
that because we do have a lot of needs.
"Washington has gone out and made a big splash and done a lot of work prior to
even the start of free agency. We'll see where we are once this process has had
an opportunity to take shape."
Griffin, who the Giants never were close to re-signing, signed a seven-year,
$31-million contract that includes a $8.3-million signing bonus, according to
agent Tony Agnone.
"Griff is feeling a lot of trepidation, and he's going to miss his (teammates),
especially Michael (Strahan)," said Agnone, who also represents Strahan. "But
(Redskins coach) Joe Gibbs was phenomenal with him. That made him feel better."
Giants cornerback Will Peterson is a restricted free agent and has decided to
accept the first-round tender of $1.368 million for the upcoming season, Slavin
said. The Giants were interested in extending his contract but Peterson has
decided to play out this season in hopes of securing a more lucrative deal next
year. Peterson is also represented by Bauer, Emmons' agent.
There remained a slim possibility that former Giants linebacker Jessie Armstead
and/or guard Ron Stone could rejoin the team, though neither was likely to
happen. Agents for both players have contacted the Giants.
Coughlin knows Stone well. He was coach at Boston College when Stone played
there and made the switch from defensive to offensive line. >>
DocE
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"The future ain't what it used to be." -Yogi Berra