Giants Signings and Rumors: Free Agency Day Three

Added by Vin D'Anton on March 15, 2013.

By: Vin D’Anton

Signings: 

S Ryan Mundy signs: Formerly of the Steelers, Mundy has started five career games and had one interception in 2011. Mundy will probably get a couple of snaps per game, pending on what happens with Stevie Brown. Contract details not yet known.

LB Keith Rivers re-signs: Rivers is one of the only linebackers the Giants have that has nice upside. Fine he was a first round pick for the Bengals, but the Giants got him cheap and now have given him a one-year deal. Risk factor equals zero. He has great speed and when healthy last season, made some pretty nice tackles. Hopefully he’ll see more playing time this season.

S Kenny Phillips signs with Eagles: USA Today’s Mike Garafolo confirmed yesterday that the former first round pick signed a one-year deal with the hated Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old has yet to start a full season but is very talented. He was called the “Hakeem Nicks of the defense” last year. In 2010 & ’11, I felt Phillips earned a decent contract when he had over 60TKLs in both seasons and 4INTs in 2011, but the Giants wouldn’t nudge. Reports did come out that an offer was made this off-season but he turned it down. So he flees New York for Philly, who gives him a one-year deal? I wanted Phillips back, but with top priority free agents coming next year, seems Jerry Reese did the right thing here.

LB Jasper Brinkley signs with Cardinals: Brinkley went to visit Arizona right after the Giants and signed a two-year deal when he got there. Garafolo confirmed the signing last night.

Aaron Ross update: New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano reports Ross’ contract is one-year and worth the veteran minimun, $715,000.

Rumors: 

OL David Diehl does not restructure: There was a premature report yesterday saying that Diehl, who seems to have a chance of being released every day, took a pay cut. Nothing yet, but something should happen soon. Diehl is in the final year of his contract and is set to make $4.475 million.

Will Maualuga sign and bring good linebacker play back to NY? - Jeff Siner / Charlotte Observer

Giants have interest in two more linebackers: First, Adam Schefter reported that the Giants have interest in Bengals captain and free agent Rey Maualuga. He has had a very underrated career in his four seasons with the Bengals, starting 59 games, 194TKLs and 6FFs. He did visit Arizona but left without a contract.

The Newark Star-Ledger later reported that the G-Men have interest in Lions free agent Justin Durant. In six NFL seasons, the 27-year old has started 67 games and has 369TKLs. He played four years in Jacksonville and two with the Lions. Earlier in the week, Durant expressed that he wanted to re-sign with the Lions.