After spending six seasons in San Francisco, former Riverview High star David Baas will be coming closer to home and his wife and two children in Sarasota.
The New York Giants came to terms with Baas on Wednesday, a day after releasing veteran offensive linemen Shaun O'Hara, Shawn Andrews and Rich Seubert to clear salary-cap room.
"I'm really excited," Baas said in a phone interview with SNN6's Adam Shadoff on Wednesday. "It's a brand new opportunity for me. They believe in me, and I can't wait to get up there.
"My wife is even more excited that we're back on the East Coast and can take a direct flight under three hours with our two kids."
The 29-year-old was the starting center last season, his first at that position after signing a one-year, $1.226 million tender with the 49ers. The 6-foot-4, 330- pound Baas started all 16 games at center after playing exclusively at guard.
"I have the utmost respect for the organization. The players have been stable on the offensive line, and I can't wait for the opportunity to prove I'm worthy. I'm going to do everything I can to help them win a Super Bowl."
Baas could become the replacement for O'Hara at center. The Giants could bring O'Hara and Seubert back at reduced salaries. Both are recovering from offseason surgeries.
The signing won't become official until 6 p.m. Friday.
Two other former area high school football stars joined the flurry of NFL free agent signings.
Former Palmetto Tiger Joe Hills signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans, while ex-Southeast Seminole and Florida Gator defensive lineman Terron Sanders will get a shot at making the regular-season roster with the Baltimore Ravens.
Neither Hills nor Sanders were selected in last April's NFL draft.
Hills, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound wide receiver, began his college career at South Carolina before transferring to Tennessee State.
The 6-2, 315-pound Sanders underwent surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and a torn labrum muscle in his shoulder during his injury-riddled playing days in Gainesville.
The NFL is allowing teams to invite 90 players to training camp this summer instead of the usual 80 in light of the recent 132-day work stoppage.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the league's minimum salary for a rookie who makes the regular-season roster will be $390,000, up $70,000 from the previous rookie minimum of $320,000.
–Correspondent Jim Brockman contributed to this report.
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment