Justin Tuck has gone west, as on Wednesday he visited with the Raiders, who headed into NFL free agency with an enormous amount of cash — they were $60 million under the salary cap. Plus, the Raiders are always attracted to big names and Tuck, with his captaincy of the Giants, two Super Bowl rings, Subway commercials and high-profile presence, certainly qualifies.
Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas, who last season made a successful return from multiple ACL surgeries on the same knee, was also in Oakland meeting with the Raiders. The Raiders must be deeply impressed with the Giants, as also in on the visit was running back Andre Brown, who ran for 115 yards and one touchdown last season and finished 2013 as the Giants’ leading rusher with 492 yards.
Though Tuck has maintained all along he wants to return to the Giants — in fact, he has stressed his desire to retire as a Giant — he has never said anything about accepting a hometown discount.
After two disappointing seasons slowed by injuries, Tuck rebounded in 2013, coming on strong to finish with 11 sacks in his ninth year with the Giants.
The Raiders, in many ways, are the polar opposites of the Giants, and not only because of their location, and if there’s a big offer waiting for Tuck he will have to weigh leaving the stability of the Giants for the, well, instability of the Raiders. Of course, money often speaks loudest of all. The Giants want Tuck back, but are not going to get into a bidding war to keep him.
A knee issue has put on hold the contract of Seahawks linebacker O’Brien Schofield, as the Giants did not like what they saw Wednesday during Schofield’s physical exam. That has delayed and perhaps will negate what was to be a two-year, $8 million contract.
CB Tracy Porter (Raiders) and G Shelley Smith (Rams) visited Wednesday with the Giants but left without contracts.
Center David Baas, waived after he failed his physical, said he knows he is not healthy coming off knee surgery and possibly needing neck surgery. He would like to resume his career, if possible. “I haven’t lost that drive, I haven’t lost that desire to play football,” Baas said. “But sometimes other things are more important, and we’ve come to that crossroads.’’
Baas was scheduled to count $8.225 against the 2014 salary cap and, because the Giants designated him as a June 1 cut, they will save $4.9 million on the cap this summer.
The Giants made official the re-signing of K Josh Brown (two years, $2.5 million with up to $500,000 in incentives) and safety Stevie Brown (one year, $3 million plus incentives). The Giants also made official the re-signing of CB Trumaine McBride, RB Peyton Hillis and QB Curtis Painter. They also waived linebacker Marcus Dowtin, who played in three games last season. … FB Henry Hynoski will visit with the Lions. … LB Keith Rivers signed a two-year deal with the Bills. … DT Linval Joseph signed a five-year, $31.5 million contract with the Vikings, on the Giants’ offer: “I know it was nowhere near the Vikings number, I can say that.’’