The search for another receiver is likely to lead the Giants to David Terrell, who is expected to sign with the team sometime this week.
Terrell, who turned 26 this past Sunday, never lived up to expectations in Chicago after the Bears made him the No. 8 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He was released on Feb. 28, two days after the Bears signed Mushin Muhammad to a six-year, $30 million contract.
Terrell, a star at Michigan, spent four seasons in Chicago, and his last was his best, when he started 15 games and had 42 receptions for a career-high 699 yards.
He has nine career touchdown catches and is known for flamboyant on-field displays. Last month, he pleaded guilty to negligent driving, part of a plea with prosecutors who agreed to reduce a reckless driving charge.
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At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Terrell looks the part, and the Giants hope they can uncover the obvious talent buried within him.
With the release of Ike Hilliard, the Giants need a starting receiver opposite Amani Toomer. The pursuit of free agent Plaxico Burress ended last week when he turned down a six-year, $24 million offer that included a signing bonus of $8 million.
There was thought that after Burress fired his agent, Michael Harrison, and hired Drew Rosenhaus that the Giants might rekindle interest in Burress, but signing Terrell would presumably squelch that notion.
BIG BLUE ‘HAND’ OFF
The Giants yesterday released defensive tackle Norman Hand, confirming a report in last Saturday’s Post that the team had serious doubts about Hand’s physical status and were preparing to let him go.
Hand, 32, was scheduled to make $900,000 this season. Listed at 310 pounds but actually much heavier, Hand in his one season with the Giants played effectively when he was able to remain on the field. He had 15 tackles (11 solo) and one sack in 11 games before missing the final five games with a groin injury.
With a glaring hole in the middle of their defensive line, the Giants would love to see William Joseph, their first-round pick in 2003, begin to scratch the surface on his potential.
The Giants also signed Kendrick Clancy from the Steelers, but he seems to be more of a rotation player.