Giants sign free-agent LB Herzlich
FILE -- This is a Nov. 1, 2008, file photo shows Boston College's Mark Herzlich playing against Clemson in an NCAA college football game in Boston. Herzlich signed as a free agents with the Giants Tuesday. Credit: AP
Every NFL team passed on Mark Herzlich three months ago at the draft. But when the lockout was lifted, the Boston College linebacker known more for overcoming a rare cancer than for his accomplishments on the field suddenly became a hot commodity as an undrafted free agent.
Several teams tried to sign him, and there was even a report Monday night that he would wind up with the Ravens. Tuesday morning, though, Herzlich announced that he would be a Giant.
"They're a team that needs linebackers. It's a great opportunity for me to get in and play and be on a team," Herzlich said during an interview with ESPN. "And it's a great community feel. It's a family-owned team, I know the Maras, I know [Tom] Coughlin from Boston College. It just seemed like a great place to be."
Giants president and CEO John Mara is a Boston College graduate and Coughlin coached there. Before the draft, Herzlich said that he had spoken several times with Coughlin about making the jump to the NFL. Herzlich is also familiar with Boston College product Mathias Kiwanuka; he wore the No. 94 there to follow in Kiwanuka's footsteps.
"He is a great kid and he's certainly had his share of obstacles to overcome, and we're excited to give him the opportunity," Mara said. "We think he is a prospect, but let's just say I was in favor of the decision to sign him."
In 2008, Herzlich was a first-team All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. In spring 2009, he announced that he had been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He did not play football in 2009 but returned to the field in 2010, starting all 13 games and finishing with 65 tackles.
The 6-4, 244-pound Herzlich will play outside linebacker for the Giants. The team also agreed to terms with several other undrafted free agents Tuesday, including fullback Henry Hynoski from Pitt, safety Dave Sims from Iowa State and defensive tackle Martin Parker from Richmond. But the one with the most well-known name -- perhaps the most well-known of all the undrafted players this year -- is Herzlich.
"My health is great right now," he said in the ESPN interview. "I had my checkups [Monday]. Everything was clear, everything was fine, and I'm feeling great, feeling healthy and I'm ready to play some football."
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