bubba9497 Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Megabucks lure Griffin to 'Skins http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-spgiants043694979mar04,0,1166003.story?coll=ny-giants-print March 4, 2004 The Giants lost perhaps their most talented free agent, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, to the division rival Redskins yesterday, the first day of the free-agent signing period. He signed a six-year deal reportedly worth $25.5 million that included an $8- million bonus, ending a four-year stay with the Giants. Griffin's departure was no surprise. The Giants had set price levels for their free agents, including five starters from last season, and were determined not to overpay. "We expressed an interest at our price, end of story," general manager Ernie Accorsi said. The Giants made an offer to Griffin late in 2003 and did not alter it after the new coaching staff had a chance to study him. "We all were in agreement," Accorsi said. Griffin appeared to be on his way to stardom as a rookie, when he had eight sacks in the 2000 regular season and playoffs as a situational pass rusher. He fell to 2½ sacks in 2001, four in 2002 and one last year. The loss of Griffin, 27, leaves a gaping hole at tackle after the recent retirement of Keith Hamilton. The starters for now are William Joseph, a disappointment as a first-round pick last season, and restricted free-agent Lance Legree. There also is uncertainty at linebacker, but the Eagles' Carlos Emmons, 30, one of the NFL's best strong-side linebackers, is scheduled to visit today, one of his representatives said. Emmons also has visits scheduled with the Saints and Steelers. Emmons broke his left fibula in late December and still has a screw in the leg; it is sheduled to be removed March 18. Another linebacker, the Steelers' Clark Haggans, visited yesterday and was scheduled to travel to Detroit today. Haggans, 27, was a 3-4 linebacker under new Giants coordinator Tim Lewis and might be a good fit in Lewis' new defense, a 4-3 base with some 3-4 looks. The team is looking for tackles to replace Griffin and Hamilton. The Texans' Steve Martin is expected to visit. Warren Sapp is not in the Giants' sights for now. The Rams' Brian Young is a potential target. Another free-agency focus will be the interior of the offensive line, especially with center Chris Bober perhaps on his way out. He has visits scheduled with the Bengals and Bills. The Patriots' Damien Woody, the top center on the market, reportedly is headed to the Bills. The Bills already have signed another potential target, Bears lineman Chris Villarrial. Bengals center Rich Braham is expected to visit the Giants tomorrow. Former Giants and 49ers guard Ron Stone called to express interest in returning. The Giants would like to add an offensive tackle, but not at the price the Texans paid former Dolphin Todd Wade: a five-year, $25-million contract with a $10-million bonus. Running back Stacey Mack and fullback Sam Gash could be on the Giants' radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted March 4, 2004 Author Share Posted March 4, 2004 Giants' Griffin goes to Redskins Thursday, March 4, 2004 By VINNY DiTRANI STAFF WRITER The Eagles signed pass-rusher Jevon Kearse for $66 million. The Redskins grabbed defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin for $25.5 million and later agreed to terms with cornerback Shawn Springs. The Cowboys closed in on a deal that will get them wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson for about $20 million. It was a day of high finance in the NFC East on Wednesday as the NFL's free agency market opened for business. The only credit card not maxed out belonged to the Giants, who continue to approach this market in a cautious and low-key manner. Losing Griffin was not unexpected. The second-round draft pick from Alabama in 2000 had a fine rookie season as the fifth defensive lineman, filling in at all four spots. But his three years as a starter were not overly productive, netting just 7½ sacks in 45 games after netting five in 15 games his first year. Griffin reportedly was seeking a deal worth about $2.5 million per season, but fell into Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder's money pit and came away with a lot more. The leading candidate to replace Griffin is former Raider Rod Coleman, who worked under Giants' defensive line coach Mike Waufle in Oakland. The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Coleman had 28½ sacks in 60 games with the Raiders, including a career-high 11 in 2002. The Giants reportedly will visit with journeyman tackle Steve Martin, the onetime Jet, today or Friday. Agents for Tennessee's Robaire Smith and St. Louis' Brian Young, both free agent defensive tackles, said Wednesday the Giants had yet to call. Chicago's release of Warrick Holdman added another interesting body to a linebacker group the Giants are perusing. Clark Haggans, a special teams ace who filled in while Pittsburgh's Joey Porter was injured, visited Wednesday and Philadelphia's Carlos Emmons (coming off a broken leg) will be in today. Baltimore's Adalius Thomas and Jacksonville's Danny Clark also might interest the Giants. Kansas City corner William Bartee reportedly will soon visit as well. E-mail: ditrani@northjersey.com http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMjAmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY0OTU2OTQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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