One day after the Giants told Shaun O’Hara and Rich Seubert they will be cut, the team located a starting center, agreeing yesterday to terms with free agent David Baas, who spent the first six years of his NFL career with the 49ers.
Baas, a natural guard, was a 2005 second-round draft pick out of Michigan. He has played in 92 games, starting 54, including all 32 the past two years.
The vast majority of his experience has come at guard but he took a turn at center last season after Eric Heitman went down with a serious neck injury. Baas (6-4, 330) received good reviews for his work at center.
“I played against that guy in college so I know what kind of athlete he is,” said Justin Tuck, a Notre Dame product.
Instantly, Baas, 29, becomes the favorite to move in as the starting center, as the Giants no doubt view him as a bigger, younger and — most important — healthier option than the 34-year-old O’Hara, who played in only six games last season because of ankle and foot injuries.
The arrival of Baas does away with what was a remote chance the Giants would try to resign O’Hara at a later date.
“I don’t know much about him,” Eli Manning said.
Asked how long it will take to become comfortable with a new center, Manning said, “I’ll let you know.”
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Manning said he spoke to both O’Hara and Seubert after hearing the veteran offensive linemen will be released.
“They’ve been great teammates of mine for my whole career here,” he said. “We’ve had a great run together, won a lot of games and just two great characters, teammates, leaders of the team amongst a great offensive line that had a great run together.
“You play this game long enough, these things happen. It is a part of football, it is sad. We will miss those guys in the locker room and their personalities because they brought a lot to the table.”
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DT Rocky Bernard was set to make $2.95 million this season but was asked to restructure his contract. An agreement was not reached, and Bernard will be cut.
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DT Barry Cofield will sign a six-year, $36 million deal with the Redskins that guarantees him $12 million. The Giants tried to keep him but the price got too steep.
“I pushed hard to get that guy back,” Tuck said. “I know how important he is to the entire scheme of our defense.”
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The Giants officially announced the hiring of Larry Izzo as assistant special teams coach.