Giants Restructure LT David Diehl’s Contract: According to ESPN.com, the Giants have signed LT David Diehl to a new 6-year, $31 million contract. ESPN.com reports that the deal includes annual escalator clauses that increase Diehl’s salaries between $750,000 and $1.1 million per season as long as he plays offensive tackle.
Diehl had just completed the second year of a 6-year, $15.5 million extension that he signed in 2005. But with the shift to left tackle from left guard in last season, the Giants felt like Diehl deserved a raise.
ESPN.com is also reporting that the new contract was actually completed before the recently-completed NFL Draft.
"(The new contract is) a recognition by the Giants of David’s commitment to the team, his attitude and his personality," said Diehl’s agent. "He’s the ultimate team player."
More on Strahan: While WR Amani Toomer believes DE Michael Strahan will return to play again this upcoming season (see "News and Notes" from May 4th), LB Antonio Pierce does not.
"There’s a hunger and a desire a lot of athletes have and that’s to be a champion and to be a great player," said Pierce yesterday. "Well, the guy’s a great player, he’s made tons of money and he’s now a champion…Money talks…But you know what, inside of me tells me Strahan played his last game with the New York Giants as a champion and I don’t think that’s a bad way to go out."
During a guest appearance on Fox News Channel’s "Fox & Friends" yesterday morning, Strahan said, "Right now I know where I’m leaning, but I don’t want to say it until I’m sure, because once you either say you’re going to play or you’re not going to play, you can’t go back, at least in my opinion. So I want to make sure I’m completely sure."
Giants Officially Announce Four More Rookie Free Agent Signings: Though we had reported these signings last week, the Giants officially announced yesterday that they have signed the following four undrafted rookie free agents:
- WR D.J. Hall, Alabama
- DE Wallace Gilberry, Alabama
- DE Antonio Reynolds, Tennessee
- S Nehemiah Warrick, Michigan State
Because of all of these roster moves, we have updated the Roster, Depth Chart, and Transactions sections of the website. Scouting reports on these four players are available the 2008 NFL Draft Review and Rookie Free Agent Signings section of the website.
Last Thursday, the Giants had announced that they had signed six undrafted players (see "News and Notes" from May 2nd). Thus, in total, the Giants have officially announced the signing of 10 undrafted rookies. General Manager Jerry Reese had said the team had signed 12 rookie free agents so expect at least one more official announcement.
The Giants hold their rookie mini-camp on May 9-10. Many unsigned and undrafted rookie players will participate on a tryout basis at that camp.
LB Antonio Pierce on WFAN: The audio of yesterday’s interview of LB Antonio Pierce on WFAN is available at WFAN.com.
