E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer
for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of
only four sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls.
Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

By DAVE KLEIN
In a move uncharacteristic for the team, the Giants issued a weekend confirmation of rumors that had been swirling around all day Saturday -- that they had, indeed and finally, signed linebacker LaVar Arrington.

The most reliable sources indicate that the deal involves a seven-year contract worth $49 million. There was no mention of a signing bonus, although you may rest assured that one was offered, nor was there any reference to "guaranteed money," which had been a particularly sensitive sticking point between the team and the player and his agent(s), the Poston brothers. Since Carl is under a two-year suspension by the NFL Players Association, Kevin handled negotiations with Giants' general manager Ernie Accorsi and his assistant, Kevin Abrams.

It is alleged that Carl Poston's suspension stemmed from actions taken by him during the hectic period when Arrington attempted to free himself from the Washington Redskins -- and finally did, at a cost of $4.4 million. That figure, however, might mean money the player agreed to waive that was due to him from the team. It is unlikely he sat down and wrote a check -- players never, absolutely never, give back money.

There are some factors that now are forced to the surface with the signing. Arrington, incidentally, is expected to be in the team's training facilities at Giants Stadium as soon as Monday or Tuesday.

For a time, the negotiations seemed destined to go on and on without a conclusion. The 27-year-old Arrington, the second overall draft pick in 2000, wanted all that guaranteed money. The Giants were determined that the three-time Pro Bowl player submit to two of their demands -- that he take a full physical to disclose whatever damage remained in his surgically repaired knee, and that he reduce his monetary demands.

The new contract, with a tacit acknowledgement from Accorsi, will clearly rely heavily on incentives. "We came to an agreement that achieves what everybody wants," he said. "The player will be rewarded for performance, which is exactly what LaVar and the Giants wanted."

In other words, if Arrington's knee is sound and he is as good as he says he is (and once was), he'll have the chance to prove those assertions. And if he does prove them, he will be richly rewarded.

The reunion of Arrington with his Redskin buddy, Giants' middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, will provide a comfort zone for the 6-3, 253-pounder, and he is also being put back on the same team as his fellow Penn State All-America linebacker, Brandon Short, who was re-signed by the Giants last week after a two-year hiatus with the Carolina Panthers.

"We needed a big power player to add to our defense and LaVar is that," Accorsi said. "He has a presence about him and he makes us a better footfall team. The agreement we came to is a fair deal for the player and a fair deal for the organization."

Arrington, who had interviewed with Cincinnati, Green Bay, Jacksonville and Cleveland, made no secret of his desire to play against the Redskins twice -- and that meant signing with a team from the NFC East.

There is no question that Arrington will start, probably at strongside linebacker. That might make veteran Carlos Emmons expendable, or it might move him to the weakside if the Giants don't re-sign Nick Greisen, which seems unlikely at this time. Arrington's forte is rushing the passer, and now the Giants can do that with their Pro Bowl defensive ends, Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, as well as their new outside linebacker.

This will probably, almost certainly, influence what the Giants do with their first round pick in next Saturday's draft. It had been generally assumed that they were going to select a linebacker with immediate starting capabilities; that doesn't seem likely now. Signing Arrington may well open the door to a first round defensive tackle or even a running back (LenDale White of USC or DeAngelo Williams of Memphis State).

In his career with the Redskins, Arrington started 67 of 79 possible games. He has 467 tackles, 335 of which were unassisted, as well as 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He earned three consecutive Pro Bowl berths in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

"It came down to LaVar feeling most comfortable going to a good team in a familiar division," said his agent, "as well as getting the chance to play for a defensive coordinator he loves [Tim Lewis]."

And getting two shots against the Giants next season doesn't hurt, either.

Check out Dave's website at E-GIANTS where you can subscribe to his newsletters which run much more frequently than what is available here.
- Team Giants

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