Giants Sign LB Danny Clark: The Giants have signed unrestricted free agent LB Danny Clark (Houston Texans). Clark also has played for the Jaguars (2000-2003), Raiders (2004-2005), and Saints (2006). Clark reportedly signed a 2-year, $4 million contract with the Giants.
"Danny Clark is a player I drafted a few years ago in Jacksonville," said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. "We’re bringing him in as an outside linebacker. He is a very physical, very versatile player. Over the years, he has been a very good special teams player. Clark is a veteran guy with an outstanding work ethic. He will fit in well with our players in the locker room. He will have an opportunity to compete for a position."
"He is a veteran linebacker who can play all three spots," said General Manager Jerry Reese. "He has been an outstanding special teams player. He is going to create competition in both areas, special teams and at linebacker. He fits the New York Giant mold."
"I have a passion for all three linebacker spots," said Clark. "I am a middle linebacker by trade and I am darn good at outside linebacker as well. I think when you go downhill my emphasis is on making big hits and disconnecting the ball from the ballcarrier. It doesn’t matter where you line up as long as you go and make plays doing it."
"It is an honor (to be joining the Giants)," said Clark. "It is tough to repeat, but I think it is definitely a huge possibility with the guys they have in that locker room and the coaching staff and ultimately the organization. This is a storied organization that in the past has won several championships and it is an honor for me to put on the helmet. I just want to be a part of this defense that is just tearing people apart. I want to be able to help get us to the fourth Super Bowl title."
Clark credits Coughlin, who drafted him in Jacksonville, with his career success. "He made me do the right things," Clark said. "He ultimately teaches you how to be a professional. He teaches you to be accountable to your teammates and be on time and dressed appropriately. All of that stuff molds a young guy into an upstanding citizen in this league, which is hard to find sometimes. You knew what you were going to get day-in and day-out and that stuck with me throughout my career in the NFL. I spoke with him the other day and I made him aware of that."
A video interview with Clark is available at Giants.com.
Because of this move, we have updated the 2008 Free Agent Scorecard, Free Agent Signings (includes scouting report on Clark), Roster, and Depth Chart sections of the website.
Trade Possibility for Hall Not Dead?: The Journal News reports that General Manager Jerry Reese has not declared trade talks for CB DeAngelo Hall (Atlanta Falcons) dead. In addition, Reese told the paper that the Giants still may sign other players in free agency.
"We’re just laying in the weeds and seeing what comes by," Reese said.
Giants Now $8.5-9 Million Under Salary Cap?: The New York Post is reporting that the Giants are now roughly $9 million underneath the 2008 NFL salary cap. The Journal News says the figure is closer to $8.5 million.
More Money for Dockery and Johnson: According to The Star-Ledger, as part of the NFL’s performance-based pay system, S Michael Johnson and CB Kevin Dockery have been awarded more money. Dockery will receive an extra $198,000 while Johnson will receive an extra $215,000.
Article on the Giants’ Salary Cap: Some Cap Perspective by Ernie Palladino of The Journal News
Article on the Giants’ New Stadium: Lamping to Oversee Meadowlands Stadium Construction and Operation by Richard Sandomir of The New York Times
Article on Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President Steve Tisch: Giants Co-Owner: Super Bowl Win Means More Than Academy Award by The Associated Press
