The defections have begun. One safety and two linebackers who started in Super Bowl XLII are now former Giants.
On the first day of free agency, the Giants took a hit to their defense when safety Gibril Wilson and linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor all left for greener pastures. None of the losses were unexpected, as the Super Bowl champion Giants were determined not to chase their own with crazy money.
Wilson, a native of the San Francisco Bay area, reaped the benefits of playing for winner, as the Raiders gave him an incredible six-year, $39 million contract that includes guaranteed bonuses of $16 million. That makes Wilson – a good player but hardly an impact player – the third highest-paid safety in the league. The Giants wanted to keep Wilson, but were not prepared to pay him much more than half as much as the Raiders shelled out.
Now in need of a veteran safety, the Giants have contacted the agents for free agents Eugene Wilson (Patriots), Erik Coleman (Jets) and Sammy Knight (Jaguars), but no visits have been scheduled. Coleman yesterday was in Atlanta and is next headed to Jacksonville.
It figured that Mitchell would receive a more lucrative deal than the lukewarm offer he got from the Giants, and he did. Mitchell is signing with the Bills for five years and $17.5 million, including $3.5 million in bonus money.
Torbor, who filled in at strong side linebacker after Mathias Kiwanuka went down with a broken leg, was not hotly pursued by the Giants, and the career backup hooked on with the Dolphins.
The Giants were braced for these losses. A healed Kiwanuka will reclaim his spot and move in to replace Torbor. Mitchell’s spot on the weak side could be filled by Gerris Wilkinson, who was drafted in the third round in 2006 to be a future starter. The Giants also might sign a veteran free agent or select a linebacker in the NFL Draft in late April.
Mitchell made $1 million this past season, his first and last with the Giants. He had 87 tackles, 3½ sacks and his one interception for a touchdown came amid a snowstorm in Buffalo, a play that no doubt resonated with the Bills.
Clearly looking to bolster their backup quarterback situation, the Giants spoke with the agent for quarterback Trent Green, 37, a 14-year veteran who was not long ago thought to be leaving the game after multiple concussions.
The Giants also inquired about signing Todd Collins, calling agent Brad Blank not long after midnight. Blank said once the bidding between the Giants, Redskins and Jaguars “amped up,” the Giants dropped out and Collins re-signed with the Redskins. The Giants also contacted the agent for Cleo Lemon (Dolphins), who signed with the Jaguars.
The Saints called and expressed interest in trading for tight end Jeremy Shockey. The Giants are not shopping Shockey and they declined to discuss any trade. Shockey is coming off surgery on his leg and ankle and could not at the moment pass a physical.
The Giants have some interest in Seahawks running back/kick returner Alvin Pearman. They also could be interested in a similar player, Maurice Hicks of the 49ers, and possibly two veterans, CB Jason Webster (Bills) and DE N.D. Kalu (Texans).