EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants gave new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan some reinforcements along the line, signing free agents Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty on Sunday.
Bernard signed what is believed to be a four-year, $16 million deal on Saturday night, hours after the Giants signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley.
Canty received $42 million over six years, according to a person familiar with the contract who requested anonymity because no terms were officially announced.
“He’s a veteran defensive tackle with skins on the wall,” Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. “He plays hard, he’s stout against the run and he has to be accounted for as a pass rusher.”
Bernard started 55 of 103 regular-season games with Seattle in his seven-year career. He had 282 tackles, 29 sacks and seven fumble recoveries.
The 6-foot-7, 305-pound Canty comes to New York from NFC East rival Dallas. In 2008, he started every game at defensive end for the Cowboys and finished with 37 tackles, three sacks and five passes batted down.
Bucs sign Clayton
TAMPA, Fla. — Michael Clayton has signed a five-year contract worth nearly $26 million to remain with Tampa Bay. Clayton was the 2004 NFL offensive rookie of the year but has struggled since that strong debut.
Footnotes
• Seattle and free agent defensive tackle Colin Cole have agreed to a five-year, $21.4 million contract that includes $6 million in guaranteed money, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person, who requested anonymity because the deal has not yet been announced, said Cole visited the Seahawks on Friday.
• The Jets and fullback Tony Richardson have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, with $500,000 guaranteed. The three-time Pro Bowl selection helped Priest Holmes to three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Kansas City from 2001-03,
• Dan Orlovsky didn’t want to be Detroit’s backup quarterback. Now he’s the backup for the Houston Texans. Orlovsky, who said he wanted to compete for a starting job rather than be a backup to Daunte Culpepper, signed to play behind Matt Schaub. The Texans needed a backup after trading Sage Rosenfels.
