NFL: Giants sign DE Renaldo Wynn
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tom Coughlin added another former Jacksonville player to the New York Giants roster, signing defensive end Renaldo Wynn today.
A former first-round draft pick with the Jaguars in 1997, Wynn played five seasons with Jacksonville, four with the Washington Redskins and last year with the New Orleans Saints. He has 25 career sacks.
"Renaldo is a solid veteran who can give us some snaps on the inside or the outside," general manager Jerry Reese said.
Wynn also is an insurance policy should defensive end Michael Strahan decide to retire after finally earning a Super Bowl ring in February in his 15th NFL season.
"We're still not sure what Michael is going to do as far as retirement goes," Reese said. "If Michael does retire, it gives us a veteran who can play end and tackle. It gives us more veteran depth, instead of having too many young guys."
Wynn is the third veteran defensive player the Giants have added this offseason, joining safety Sammy Knight and linebacker Danny Clark. Wynn and Clark both entered the league with Coughlin's Jaguars and were teammates in Jacksonville in 2000 and 2001.
"Renaldo has always been a very smart, durable guy who can play multiple positions," Coughlin said. "He's a good, solid team guy and an outstanding character guy who is great for the locker room. He works well with young players. He's a steady, heady player. Quite frankly, in our situation, we'll be a player down if Strahan does retire and we have to protect ourselves."
Wynn had 13 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season.
The Giants also placed linebacker Keith O'Neil on their reserve-retired list. O'Neil joined the team on Feb. 18.