Giants' Weatherford agrees to 5-year deal
New York Giants place holder Steve Weatherford celebrates after his team scored a game winning field field during overtime of the NFC Championship. (Jan. 22, 2012) Credit: AP
Steve Weatherford was happy when the Giants put the franchise tag on him earlier this month because it meant he would be back with the team at least for next season. Now the punter must be ecstatic after agreeing to a five-year deal with the team Friday.
When the Giants applied the franchise tag, it was to keep Weatherford off the open market, with the understanding that the two sides would continue negotiating a long-term deal. Weatherford can earn up to $12.75 million over the contract, one of the longest the Giants have ever given to a punter.
Weatherford was 14th in gross punting average (45.7). He had some of his best performances in big games, including five punts inside the 20 against the Patriots in the Nov. 6 regular-season game, a franchise-record 12 punts in the NFC Championship Game and a strong performance in the Super Bowl.
Weatherford was added to the team last summer to compete with Matt Dodge for the punting job. He played the 2011 season under a one-year deal.
