NFL

Former Eagles DT Patterson set to visit Giants

The Giants are set to host several players today as potential free agent signings and had another cancel a visit to their facility Tuesday and instead hook up with a division rival.

According to NFL sources, the Giants, in their continuing effort to bolster their porous run defense, are bringing defensive tackle Mike Patterson and defensive end Eric Norwood for visits Wednesday. They, too, are expected to host former Cowboys receiver Anthony Armstrong and running back Tim Hightower.

Quarterback Pat White, who was scheduled to visit yesterday, canceled his trip and went to visit the Redskins and there are reports out of Washington that he is expected to sign there.

The key visit, though, is from Patterson, because stopping the run is a priority for the Giants. The Giants know a lot about Patterson as an opponent, having tried to block him twice a season for the past eight years when he started for the Eagles.

Patterson, 29, was released by the Eagles on Feb. 25, the same day they also released another of their longtime starting defensive tackles, Cullen Jenkins. The Giants quickly signed Jenkins to a three-year, $8 million deal to replace Chris Canty, who had been released.

Patterson, a 2005 first-round draft pick out of USC, started 99 of 115 games in his eight years with the Eagles. He suffered a seizure in the summer of 2011 and was diagnosed with cerebral arteriovenus malformation. That did not stop Patterson from starting 15 games in 2011 but in January of 2012 he underwent brain surgery. He played in only five games in 2012.

Patterson possibly could fill the veteran presence void left by the departure of Rocky Bernard, who was not re-signed.

Norwood (6-foot-1, 280) had a sack and 24 tackles with the Panthers from 2010 to 2011 and, after spending last season with the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL, had agreed to terms with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League earlier this month.

Hightower tore his ACL in 2011 and did not play in the NFL in 2012.

White, who was a bust as an option quarterback for the Dolphins and this off-season has worked out for the 49ers, was not likely to break into the Giants’ lineup since Tom Coughlin isn’t likely to keep three quarterbacks on the roster during the season.