Giants Keep C O'Hara

Signing center was no snap-See My End comment

Reese keeps O'Hara after tough negotiation, giving him five-year deal that stabilizes O-line
BY ARTHUR STAPLE-Newsday

The Giants went down to the free-agency period wire but signed center Shaun O'Hara last night. O'Hara's agent, Tony Agnone, had a face-to-face meeting with general manager Jerry Reese yesterday and the two sides inched together to keep O'Hara, signing him to a five-year deal worth $19 million, with $7.5 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

O'Hara had been offered a five-year deal worth roughly a million less, but it was a million less guaranteed money. After the Cowboys signed their center, Andre Gurode, to a six-year, $30-million deal with a $10-million signing bonus, O'Hara's demands went up.

Two people familiar with the team's decision-making process said cutting tackle Luke Petitgout last month was solely Reese's idea, and that Tom Coughlin was steadfastly against it. Reese then decided to take a tough stance in negotiations with O'Hara, who'll be 30 June 23.

But the team decided to keep the rest of the offensive line intact. The Giants were believed to have about $20 million in salary-cap room heading into today's start of free agency, but it may be only about half that. If so, O'Hara's contract leaves them with little room to throw big money at the few high-profile free agents available.

The Giants have decided to let kicker Jay Feely go to free agency. He'll have interest from the Dolphins, Cowboys and Falcons and should command a long-term deal. The Giants are interested in giving undrafted free agent Josh Huston, whom they signed in January, a shot at the job.

With O'Hara back, Coughlin needs to do far less shuffling of bodies. David Diehl could be the left tackle next season, or the Giants could pursue Cardinals left tackle Leonard Davis, who will command a big contract. Reese is said to be a fan of Guy Whimper, a fourth-round pick last year who didn't play a down.

The Giants are hosting former Colt Dominic Rhodes today, the first free agent to visit. Rhodes, 28, ran for 113 yards in the Super Bowl, and has expressed a desire to be a complementary rusher instead of a No. 1 back.

This was Probably the Single most important re-signing of the off Season for the Giants. Without O'Hara, Eli Manning would have spent considerable time on his back next season. Now they only need to replace Luke Pettitgout.