EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- LaVar Arrington took a physical for
the New York Giants Thursday, one indication that the three-time
Pro Bowl linebacker might be on the verge of signing with the team.
Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said Arrington came to the
New York area to take the physical. Arrington also visited the team
March 11-12, but at the time, the 27-year-old declined to submit to
an examination of his surgically repaired right knee.
Accorsi declined to go into detail, including where the physical
took place or the results.
"He has had a physical with us," Accorsi said. "That's all
that's taken place. If this triggers another round of hysteria, it
will be inaccurate just like the last round. Nothing has happened
in the negotiations. Obviously, you're not even going to think
about a player without a physical examination. Now we have that."
Arrington was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2000 and during
his career with the Redskins made three straight Pro Bowl
appearances. But he injured his knee in 2004 and saw only limited
playing time that year and also had differences with the Redskins
about playing time and playing style.
He finally bought out his contract for $4.4 million, but failed
to get offers for close to the money he was asking.
The Giants, short on depth at linebacker, have been one of the
teams interested, along with Miami, Cincinnati, Jacksonville and
Green Bay. Arrington is thought to prefer the Giants because they
are in the same division with the Redskins and because their middle
linebacker, Antonio Pierce, is a close friend from their days
together in Washington and has been pushing them to sign him.
The Giants did add to their linebacking corps by signing Brandon Short on Wednesday. He started for the Giants for three seasons
before signing with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in 2004.
The Panthers released him last month.