Just as they did during negotiations with free agent Plaxico Burress last offseason, the Giants worked hard to keep the upper hand with LaVar Arrington, the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
Since he first met with Arrington March 11, General Manager Ernie Accorsi had vigorously denied reports the Giants were seriously interested in signing him, choosing to let the process evolve with all the other teams that might have been interested in Arrington.
“Hysteria,” is how Accorsi described the rumors last week.
But in the end, just like with Burress, the Giants got their man at a price that suited their budget.
Arrington and the Giants agreed Saturday on a seven-year contract worth $49 million that immediately upgrades one of the team's most problematic positions.
“We needed a big, power player to add to our defense and LaVar Arrington is that,” Accorsi said. “He has a presence about him and he makes us a better football team. The agreement we came to is a fair deal for the player and a fair deal for the organization.”
It had been reported Arrington, 27, wanted a seven-year deal worth $54 million with $18.5 million guaranteed. The Giants were not willing to pay that much up front. The deal includes a signing bonus of $5.25 million. There are other roster bonuses in future years based on incentives.
“We came to an agreement that achieves what everybody wants: the player being rewarded for performance, which is exactly what LaVar and the Giants wanted,” Accorsi said.
Arrington, 6 feet 3, 253 pounds, has played 79 regular season games, starting 67. He has been credited with 467 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Arrington played in three straight Pro Bowls (2001-2003) before injuries began to interfere.
“He's really elated,” Arrington's agent, Kevin Poston, told ESPN. “He's going to an 11-5 team. He doesn't have to move too far. He gets to play with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. He's excited.”
After steadfastly refusing to consent to a physical, Arrington relented earlier this week. The results eased concerns the Giants had about his surgically repaired right knee, twice operated on in recent years.
As time went on, Arrington found himself in an increasingly tough spot.
Deals with the Dolphins, Jaguars and Packers never materialized and he was left with few options with the draft approaching next week.
Arrington's attitude was as much in question as his health. He basically bought his way out of Washington after the 2005 season, repaying $4.4 million in bonus money to become a free agent.
He was the third overall pick in the 2000 draft and played often spectacularly for the Redskins before injuries and a falling out with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams resulted in his benching.
The Giants were in contract discussions with Arrington all day Friday and it became apparent he would sign when The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Saturday that a source had told the Packers that Arrington would be headed elsewhere.
“Hysteria,” is how Accorsi described the rumors last week.
But in the end, just like with Burress, the Giants got their man at a price that suited their budget.
Arrington and the Giants agreed Saturday on a seven-year contract worth $49 million that immediately upgrades one of the team's most problematic positions.
“We needed a big, power player to add to our defense and LaVar Arrington is that,” Accorsi said. “He has a presence about him and he makes us a better football team. The agreement we came to is a fair deal for the player and a fair deal for the organization.”
It had been reported Arrington, 27, wanted a seven-year deal worth $54 million with $18.5 million guaranteed. The Giants were not willing to pay that much up front. The deal includes a signing bonus of $5.25 million. There are other roster bonuses in future years based on incentives.
“We came to an agreement that achieves what everybody wants: the player being rewarded for performance, which is exactly what LaVar and the Giants wanted,” Accorsi said.
Arrington, 6 feet 3, 253 pounds, has played 79 regular season games, starting 67. He has been credited with 467 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Arrington played in three straight Pro Bowls (2001-2003) before injuries began to interfere.
“He's really elated,” Arrington's agent, Kevin Poston, told ESPN. “He's going to an 11-5 team. He doesn't have to move too far. He gets to play with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. He's excited.”
After steadfastly refusing to consent to a physical, Arrington relented earlier this week. The results eased concerns the Giants had about his surgically repaired right knee, twice operated on in recent years.
As time went on, Arrington found himself in an increasingly tough spot.
Deals with the Dolphins, Jaguars and Packers never materialized and he was left with few options with the draft approaching next week.
Arrington's attitude was as much in question as his health. He basically bought his way out of Washington after the 2005 season, repaying $4.4 million in bonus money to become a free agent.
He was the third overall pick in the 2000 draft and played often spectacularly for the Redskins before injuries and a falling out with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams resulted in his benching.
The Giants were in contract discussions with Arrington all day Friday and it became apparent he would sign when The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Saturday that a source had told the Packers that Arrington would be headed elsewhere.
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