Giants trade draft pick for LB Rivers
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers lines up against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game. (Jan. 9, 2010) Credit: AP
The Giants get more competition and perhaps more versatility at linebacker with the acquisition of Keith Rivers. Keith Rivers gets a fresh start.
The Giants traded a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft for Rivers, who was the ninth overall selection by the Bengals in the 2008 draft. In four seasons with Cincinnati, Rivers played in only 35 games because of a long list of ailments that included a broken jaw, foot and ankle issues, and a wrist injury that kept him sidelined for all of 2011.
"I've been working really hard this offseason and it's not about my past," Rivers said Thursday. "It's about what I've been doing to prepare myself for this year, and I'm really excited about it . . . I just haven't been able to stay on the field as much as I would like.
"Hopefully, like I said, it's a new beginning and everything is behind me and I'm ready to do it on the big stage here in New York."
The Giants restructured the remaining terms of Rivers' contract, the rookie deal he signed with the Bengals. He was owed $2.16 million in base salary for 2012.
Tom Coughlin already is gushing about the options Rivers, 25, gives the defense.
"Keith is versatile enough to play the outside on first and second down, and he can play on third down because he runs well," the Giants' coach said. "And he's fast enough to rush the passer."
Osi not volunteering
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora was at the NFL pop-up store in Manhattan Thursday night, but that might be as close as he gets to a Giants workout for a while. According to a source, he will not participate in the voluntary offseason training program that begins Monday. He told reporters at the store he already has made up his mind about attending the workouts but would not announce his decision. He also said he would like to return to finish his career with the Giants but does not enjoy being a backup player, as he was for most of the 2011 season.
