Giants, Strahan Agree to 7-Year Deal
 by Michael Eisen, Giants.com

September 2, 2002 

East Rutherford, N.J. - It is the proverbial good deal for both sides. 

Michael Strahan wanted to remain with the Giants for the remainder of his career. The Giants wanted salary cap relief, particularly in 2003 and beyond. Both parties achieved their goals in the six-year contract extension the two sides agreed to today. 

Including the re-working of this year's pact, Strahan, who set an NFL single-season record with 22.5 sacks in 2001, now has a seven-year, $46 million contract. The contract includes a signing bonus of $6.4 million - $2.9 million in new money, and $3.5 million from his original 2002 salary of $8 million. Strahan's salary this season is now $4.5 million. Strahan will receive $9 million in guaranteed base salaries for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. 

The Giants will save in excess of $1 million on this year's cap, giving them room to operate should they need to sign a veteran player. Strahan's 2003 cap figure will be $4.2 million, which will give the Giants flexibility. 

"I'm very happy to be in New York, I'm very happy I'm going to stay here," said Strahan, who will begin his 10th season with the Giants Thursday night when they host San Francisco in a nationally-televised game. "I think it's great that this is where I started my career, and this is probably where I'll finish my career. I'm excited about being part of this team and helping this team get back to the Super Bowl. 

"I'm ecstatic. I'm glad this is all worked out. It enables me to finish my career here, which is important to me." 
Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi and assistant general manager Kevin Abrams had kept in contact with Strahan's agent, Tony Agnone, after the All-Pro defensive end rejected a contract offer last spring. The talks heated up this summer and the two sides reached an agreement after extensive negotiations yesterday and today. 

"There was never animosity in the negotiations," Accorsi said. "These days more than money it's the cap (ramifications). It was important for us to preserve cap space next year and the year after. 

"Obviously, he's one of the best players in the league, so we're happy to get this behind us and ensure that he'll be here, hopefully, for the rest of his career - certainly the rest of mine." 

Coach Jim Fassel was ecstatic to have Strahan locked up for the foreseeable future. 

"As a coach, I'm excited," Fassel said. "This turned out to be a win-win situation for the team and the player. Michael wanted to be here. I don't think we've had a player in the last couple of years that has meant more to the team - without a doubt. I say that beyond what Michael accomplished last year setting the sack record. I think what Michael has meant to this team, by his attitude and his leadership, is worth a lot. His attitude, his practice habits, his leadership qualities, what he does on the field at this point in time is not replaceable." 

Strahan is certainly an extraordinary talent. In 2001, he was named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, the only Giant other than Lawrence Taylor to win the award. Taylor received the honor in 1981, '82 and '86. Strahan was also named the NFL's Player of the Year by Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated. He was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl in five seasons and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October after recording 9.5 sacks in 4 games. 

Strahan established a new NFL standard with his 22.5 sacks. The previous record of 22 sacks was set by Mark Gastineau of the Jets in 1984. He became just the sixth player to record at least 20 sacks in a season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. He was the first player with at least 20 sacks in a season since the late Derrick Thomas accomplished the feat for Kansas City in 1990 and the first with 21 since Chris Doleman, then with Minnesota, did it in 1989. 

Strahan has said that he was even more proud to break the Giants record of 20.5, which had been set by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986. Strahan's four sacks at St. Louis on Oct. 14 was just .5 shy of the team's single-game record of 4.5 sacks by Pepper Johnson at Tampa Bay on Nov. 24, 1991. 

Strahan also led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles. He scored the third touchdown of his career on a 13-yard fumble recovery against Seattle on Dec. 23. He had previously scored on interception returns of 24 yards against Washington in 1998 and 44 yards at Philadelphia in 1999. 

Strahan has 84.5 career sacks, second in Giants history behind Taylor's 132.5. He enters the 2002 season fifth among active players in career sacks, trailing only Bruce Smith (126.0), John Randle (125.0), Trace Armstrong (99.0) and Robert Porcher (85.5). Was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl last season, the most by a Giants defensive lineman since Andy Rubustelli was chosen for five from 1956-62. 

Strahan is the second prominent player that the Giants have signed to a new contract this summer. On the first day of training camp, quarterback Kerry Collins signed a two-year extension through the 2004 season. Currently, the most prominent Giants who will be unrestricted free agents next winter are tackle Luke Petitgout and wide receiver Ike Hilliard. 

Strahan, who turns 31 in November, could have been on the open market had he not agreed to the extension.
 
"That was too far away to think about," Strahan said. "When a season is in place, I concentrate on playing. I don't think about what can happen in the future, because that can hurt you in the present. If that came around I would have dealt with it. But I'm happy I don't have to deal with it and that I can stay here in New York. I've been here for 10 years and I want to be here to finish my career. 

"It keeps me here, it helps the Giants cap-wise and makes it so I can finish my career here. I didn't want to be in a situation where I'm somewhere for another year or so, and then it's time for me to go. This is where I've been, and very rarely in this day and age does a guy finish his career where he started. I see it as a privilege to have an opportunity to do that here. That's one thing I definitely appreciate from the Giants, believing in me enough to give me this deal. I'm grateful for that."

Copyright New York Giants 2002