WSUCougar
06-03-2004, 12:51 PM
I haven't seen any other posts on this yet, so here ya go:
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner was signed by the New York Giants, giving the team a veteran quarterback in case top draft pick Eli Manning is not ready to start this season.
The contract is a two-year deal, voidable after the first year. Warner will make $3.5 million in salary and bonuses, and more than $8 million if he achieves all his incentives this season, a source close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
"This is a great opportunity for me," Warner said. "This team is built for success. There are a lot of pieces in place to make a run for the championship now. It was that combination that made me excited about this opportunity."
The Giants started last season with Super Bowl expectations and finished with a 4-12 record that led to the firing of Jim Fassel and the hiring of Tom Coughlin.
Warner was to practice with the Giants on Thursday morning and then hold a press conference.
"This is a great fit," said Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent. "Obviously Manning is there, but this is New York and if Kurt wins they are not going to want him to leave."
The contract, which was completed late Wednesday night, came a little more than 24 hours after Warner was released in a salary-cap move by St. Louis. The release ended an improbable run that saw the former Arena League quarterback twice take the Rams to the Super Bowl.
"When you have an opportunity to stockpile talent at the most important position in football, you do it," Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "I only have to look back on my own history with the quarterback position to see how important it is to have quality depth there. We have the best of both worlds right now, a blend of championship experience and youthful promise."
Besides Warner and Manning, the Giants also have veteran Jesse Palmer and free agents Jared Lorenzen and Ryan Van Dyke on the roster.
The Giants waived veteran Kurt Kittner after signing Warner.
"The presence of Kurt's veteran leadership is going to be a great benefit to this team, especially our young quarterbacks," Coughlin said. "As a young quarterback, you can learn an awful lot by watching how a guy like Kurt practices and prepares. It is a great learning tool."
New York traded first-round draft picks this year and next and other choices to San Diego on draft day to acquire the rights to Manning, the Mississippi quarterback who was the top overall pick in the draft.
Warner comes to the Giants knowing Manning is the team's quarterback of the future.
The Giants had hoped that Kerry Collins would mentor Manning this season. But the veteran who led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance in January 2001 refused to renegotiate a contract that would have paid him $7 million in the upcoming season.
Collins, who signed with Oakland last month, was cut days after the draft, forcing a search for a proven veteran.
Warner, who will turn 33 on June 22, is that. He led the Rams to Super Bowls in the 1999 and 2001 seasons, but has been plagued by injuries since.
His days in St. Louis were numbered once Marc Bulger was given a four-year, $19.1 million contract.
The Rams gave Warner permission to shop himself, knowing he would be released June 1. Warner met with the Giants last month.
Warner has battled injuries the last two years. He missed half of the 2002 season with hand injuries. He lost his starting job last season after sustaining a concussion in a season-opening loss to the Giants.
Warner hasn't won a game as a starter since the 2001 season, when he led the Rams to a 14-2 record. New England upset St. Louis in the Super Bowl, denying Warner a second title.
Warner led St. Louis to a title when the Rams beat Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner was signed by the New York Giants, giving the team a veteran quarterback in case top draft pick Eli Manning is not ready to start this season.
The contract is a two-year deal, voidable after the first year. Warner will make $3.5 million in salary and bonuses, and more than $8 million if he achieves all his incentives this season, a source close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
"This is a great opportunity for me," Warner said. "This team is built for success. There are a lot of pieces in place to make a run for the championship now. It was that combination that made me excited about this opportunity."
The Giants started last season with Super Bowl expectations and finished with a 4-12 record that led to the firing of Jim Fassel and the hiring of Tom Coughlin.
Warner was to practice with the Giants on Thursday morning and then hold a press conference.
"This is a great fit," said Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent. "Obviously Manning is there, but this is New York and if Kurt wins they are not going to want him to leave."
The contract, which was completed late Wednesday night, came a little more than 24 hours after Warner was released in a salary-cap move by St. Louis. The release ended an improbable run that saw the former Arena League quarterback twice take the Rams to the Super Bowl.
"When you have an opportunity to stockpile talent at the most important position in football, you do it," Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "I only have to look back on my own history with the quarterback position to see how important it is to have quality depth there. We have the best of both worlds right now, a blend of championship experience and youthful promise."
Besides Warner and Manning, the Giants also have veteran Jesse Palmer and free agents Jared Lorenzen and Ryan Van Dyke on the roster.
The Giants waived veteran Kurt Kittner after signing Warner.
"The presence of Kurt's veteran leadership is going to be a great benefit to this team, especially our young quarterbacks," Coughlin said. "As a young quarterback, you can learn an awful lot by watching how a guy like Kurt practices and prepares. It is a great learning tool."
New York traded first-round draft picks this year and next and other choices to San Diego on draft day to acquire the rights to Manning, the Mississippi quarterback who was the top overall pick in the draft.
Warner comes to the Giants knowing Manning is the team's quarterback of the future.
The Giants had hoped that Kerry Collins would mentor Manning this season. But the veteran who led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance in January 2001 refused to renegotiate a contract that would have paid him $7 million in the upcoming season.
Collins, who signed with Oakland last month, was cut days after the draft, forcing a search for a proven veteran.
Warner, who will turn 33 on June 22, is that. He led the Rams to Super Bowls in the 1999 and 2001 seasons, but has been plagued by injuries since.
His days in St. Louis were numbered once Marc Bulger was given a four-year, $19.1 million contract.
The Rams gave Warner permission to shop himself, knowing he would be released June 1. Warner met with the Giants last month.
Warner has battled injuries the last two years. He missed half of the 2002 season with hand injuries. He lost his starting job last season after sustaining a concussion in a season-opening loss to the Giants.
Warner hasn't won a game as a starter since the 2001 season, when he led the Rams to a 14-2 record. New England upset St. Louis in the Super Bowl, denying Warner a second title.
Warner led St. Louis to a title when the Rams beat Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV.