Giants play it safe, add another safety, veteran Grant
Giants GM Jerry Reese said durability was the primary factor in his decision to sign Seahawks safety Deon Grant. (Nov. 8, 2009) Credit: AP
Another safety, another eyebrow raised in the direction of Kenny Phillips.
The Giants have signed Deon Grant, a veteran who played most recently for the Seahawks. It's the second safety they have signed this offseason - they gave Antrel Rolle a five-year, $37-million contract a month ago - as they attempt to upgrade the position and perhaps prepare for a less-than-perfect return by Phillips.
Phillips, the Giants' top draft pick in 2008, had microfracture surgery on his arthritic knee last September. Even Grant, 31, is uncertain if Phillips will be able to come back to the level he was at in the first two games of the 2009 season.
"Hopefully, Kenny can come back one hundred percent and Rolle is going to do some big things," Grant said of the safety corps he is joining.
If Phillips and Rolle are the starters in September, it will end Grant's streak of 144 straight regular-season starts. It's the fifth-longest streak among active players. The safety with the second-longest starting streak is Nick Collins of the Packers with 37.
"We signed Deon Grant because, number one, he's durable," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He really hasn't missed time. He's a durable veteran who will bring depth and leadership to our safety position."
To make room on the roster, the Giants rescinded their right-of-first-refusal waiver offer to C.C. Brown, who spent only one season with the team.
Feagles, Boothe signed. Jeff Feagles re-signed with the Giants but has been told he'll have to compete for the starting punter job in 2010. If he does earn the position - he'll likely face Australian Rules footballer Jy Bond in a training-camp competition - it will be the eighth season with the Giants for Feagles and his 23rd in the NFL. "In my meeting with Tom [Coughlin] it was very, very clear that I was going to compete for my job this year," Feagles said. "And my answer to that was, 'That's fine.' I have been competing for a long time. That is what makes it all better anyway, competition." . . . The Giants also signed restricted free agent Kevin Boothe to his original-round tender offer, according to reports. The offensive lineman will earn $1.176 million if he makes the team in 2010.
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