Report – Tom Coughlin to Receive 4-Year, $21 Million Deal: The Daily News is reporting that Head Coach Tom Coughlin will receive a 4-year, $21 million contract that will make him one of the highest paid coaches in the NFL. The paper says there are only minor details to be resolved and the new deal could be officially announced next week.
The contract will run through the 2011 season. Coughlin will turn 65 years old in 2011.
Giants May Lose Free Agents: According to The Star-Ledger, an unidentified source, who has spoken with unidentified members of the Giants’ front office, says the Giants and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent FS Gibril Wilson are not close to a new deal. Newsday is reporting that a person familiar with the Giants’ situation says it is “virtually inconceivable that (the Giants) would retain Wilson.” Newsday says the source also reports that it is “doubtful” that the team would be able to re-sign soon-to-be unrestricted free agents LB Kawika Mitchell and LB Reggie Torbor.
Free agency begins tonight at 12:01 AM EST. Supposedly Wilson is seeking a contract that will pay him roughly $5 million per season, more than the team is willing to spend on a safety that is considered good, but not elite. Teams rumored to be interested in Wilson include the Eagles, Jaguars, and Broncos.
Giants Tender Butler and Lorenzen, but Not Awasom: The Giants have tendered restricted free agents SS James Butler and QB Jared Lorenzen. DE Adrian Awasom was not tendered, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.
Butler was tendered at the 2nd round qualifying offer level (1-year contract, $1.47 million). If another team signs him to an offer sheet, the Giants have the option to match or let him go. In return, the Giants would receive that team’s 2nd round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft if Butler were to depart.
Lorenzen was tendered at the lower qualifying offer level (1-year contract, $927,000). The Giants would have the right to match any offer to Lorenzen, but because he was tendered at the lower level and was an undrafted free agent, the Giants would receive no compensation in return if Lorenzen were allowed to leave.
Article on WR David Tyree: Tyree Talks the Talk, and Also Wears the Helmet by Nate Schweber of The New York Times
Notes and Quotes: The Giants are believed to be $15-20 million under the 2008 salary cap (The Journal News says $17 million).
Giants’ President and CEO John Mara on free agency: “I don’t think we’re going to be real aggressive. It’s going to depend on who’s out there and what the numbers are. We are in good cap shape. There are some guys on our roster we want to sign before they hit the free agency market in a year or two. But we don’t have any real specific plans to target anybody.”