Giants sign Arrington to $49 million deal

ESPN ^ | Today | AP

[darkangel82]

NEW YORK -- LaVar Arrington signed with the New York Giants on Saturday, giving him a chance to play twice a year against his former team and helping fill a huge gap at linebacker for the NFC East champions.

Arrington agreed to a $49 million, seven-year deal late Friday, according to Kevin Poston, one of his agents. Poston didn't say how much was guaranteed but Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi indicated that it includes performance bonuses.

To get the $7 million-per-year, Arrington and the Giants agreed to load the deal with incentives, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported. Arrington, who will get a $5.25 million signing bonus, will receive a base salary worth around $3.7 million a year. With reachable incentives, Arrington can make $5 million a year and with maximum performance, he can take the deal to $49 million if he completes the seven years of his contract.

Arrington reportedly had been seeking as much as $18 million guaranteed and a $58 million deal, one reason Arrington stayed on the market while dozens of other players signed during the first few weeks of the free-agent period.

"We needed a big, power player to add to our defense and LaVar Arrington is that," Accorsi said. "He has a presence about him and he makes us a better football team.

"The agreement is a fair deal for the player and a fair deal for the organization."

Arrington, the third overall pick in the 2000 draft and a three-time Pro Bowler, bought his way out of Washington in March for $4.4 million after a tempestuous final two seasons in which he suffered from knee injuries and was benched by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for freelancing. He took a physical with the Giants on Thursday to ensure that his knees were healthy.

[darkangel82]

ping

[Ultra Sonic 007]

New York Football Giants Ping List

Freepmail Ultra Sonic 007 to get on or off this ping list.

Good news for our linebacker corps. :D

[Ultra Sonic 007]

PING

FReepmail scott says to get on or off this ping list.

[TheForceOfOne]

Wasted money, he's worth no more than half of that. This is not the second coming of Lawrence Taylor.

[JellyJam]

You're right ... $49 million for him?! Perhaps that contract is loaded with incentives.

[TheForceOfOne]

He has a questionable knee. One bad thump and he may go down for the season. It is a definite risk for that much money. You are probably right thinking the contract is is loaded with incentives.

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/lavar-arrington-redskins070306.php

Excerpt:
Originally marketed as the face of the Redskins, Arrington earned a large legion of fans, on his way to three Pro Bowl appearances. But his learning curve suffered, as the Redskins shuffled through five defensive coordinators in five seasons. When Gibbs returned to coach the team in 2004, Arrington played well in four games, but his season was cut short by a knee injury. He then underwent two operations before returning for the 2005 season.

Unfortunately for Arrington, he was not welcomed back with open arms. A contract dispute with owner Daniel Snyder was partly to blame. But he also became aggravated by the team’s reluctance to play him. Some reports indicated that Arrington needed more time to heal, while others pointed to a freelancing style that did not fit the Redskins’ plans.

Nevertheless, Arrington showed progress in the latter stages of 2005. In his last four games, the former Penn State All-American recorded 20 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. He also helped lead the Redskins to their first playoff appearance in six seasons. At the age of 27, Arrington is still considered a young linebacker. If his knee checks out, he should draw free agent interest from teams who can afford him.

[TBP]

Big Blue has been building up the defense all through the offseason -- three signings for the secondary and both Arrington and the return of Brandon Short for the linebacker corps. The offense was already terrific. That should be one tough team.

But I think LaVar is going to have to get a new number. Didn't he wear 56? That's not available in the Meadowlands.

[RightWhale]

Is this an oil baron?

[mainepatsfan]

Let's see if he'll listen to the coaches this time.

[MattinNJ]

About time. This is awesome news. With him and Osi coming off the weakside the QB is going to have to roll right....into Strahan. I have a feeling that Arrington still has plenty in the tank and is looking forwad to proving the critics wrong.

This also allows the G-men a few more options at the draft. Instead of having to pick a LB they can draft Tiki's eventual replacement (Deangelo Williams,Larence Maroney, or LenDale White), a playmaking receiver (Santana's brother Sinorice Moss), a DT (Gabe Watson is a 350 LBer requiring double teaming) or a corner (tremendous depth this year). They won't be able to address OT since Ferguson and Justice will long be gone.

[MattinNJ]

He'll wear 55.

It's this Giant's fan considerably subjective opinion that anyone wearing 56 is a poser. The NFC East is going to be a viscous free for all this year.

[frankiep]

I'm a Jets fan (unfortunately enough) so I don't follow, or care, too much about what the Jints do. But I would have thought that they would have certainly retired number 56 by now.

[Pharmboy]

While they have been talking defense for the draft, I think it's a misdirection play and they will indeed take a running back. At least I HOPE they will...

[YanksGiants2000]

Yeah, we will see. I think he's overrated, and will really have to perform to make me realize that he is worth the money, even with the incentives. But Arrington, Short, Pierce, and Torbor should hold up well, as well as Greisen if he stays. I think Emmons will be cut, so another LB may still be drafted.

[dallascowboys4evr]

Arrington's a great player. I was hoping Dallas would sign him but we apparently filled our void at lb with some free agent from jacksonville. We still need a lb, though.

[MattinNJ]

I think the RB's are going to tumble down the board and there will be 2-3 really good backs to choose from. The one intriguing player to me is Sinorice Moss. I know there is only one ball to go around but the matchup problems for opposing defenses would be ridiculous. Barber, Toomer, Burress, Shockey and Moss-sheesh-pick your poison.

That being said, I would pick Gabe Watson, a 350 lb DT. They would need a C and a GOG to move him and that would really free up Pierce.

[dallascowboys4evr]

yea go with that watson guy. Us Cowboys fan dont like the Moss family. Case in point- First game against the Redskins at the beginning of the season. Would've gone to the playoffs if it wasn't for that gene pool.

[MattinNJ]

The NFC East is going to be a dog fight all year. I think the Birds will be down for a while and Snyder will keep the Skin's from reaching their potential. It'll come down to the G-Men and the Cowboys-the way things should be.

I feel sorry for Bledsoe. He runs like a statue. To have Strahan, Osi and Arrington coming at you-yikes.