This news just flashed across my Twitter page.
The @Giants have signed DT Shaun Rogers #nyg
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 26, 2012
My immediate thought is whether or not that changes the Giants draft priorities this evening in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The Giants were thin at the defensive tackle spot with only Chris Canty, who is coming off knee surgery, and Linval Joseph as experienced players. Marvin Austin, the 2011 second-round pick, is available but has not played in two years.
Rogers, 33, is a three-time Pro Bowler but has played in just five games the past two seasons. Rogers has not played a full season since 2008, so there have to be questions about just how much he can contribute. If he is healthy, perhaps the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Rogers can fill the spot in the rotation that Rocky Bernard had during the 2011 season.
Here is more from the Giants press release:
"I'm kind of honored and I appreciated them holding me in a regard enough to put me in along those guys," Rogers said. "Those guys are most definitely top-notch pass rushers, defensive linemen right now, especially in their prime. I'm just happy to be a part of that group, those guys are going to help me out and hopefully I can help them out.
"Hopefully, we can be another Super Bowl champion. You get an opportunity to join an organization of this caliber with lofty goals and a great track record, you go ahead and do that. Hopefully, I can bring some of my experience over the past few years and just fit in and play a part."
In his career, Rogers has played in 156 regular season games with 128 starts. He has 504 tackles (366 solo), 37.5 sacks, 27 passes defensed - and an interception he returned 66 yards for a touchdown playing for the Lions in 2007. Rogers has also blocked 14 field-goal attempts in his career. He was a Pro Bowl starter on the NFC team in 2004 and 2005 and a reserve on the AFC team in 2008.
Rogers admits he wondered if his career was over when the Saints chose not to re-sign him.
"When you're sitting out there you always have that in the back of your head being an 11-year vet - maybe this is the time, is it not the time, how I am feeling, how am I transitioning this offseason?" he said. "There are a lot of variables that play into that whole card. But there was still some interest, so I figured as long as they're still interested I have something to offer.
"I still most definitely feel that I can bring something to the table. I might not be exactly like I was in '06, but I still have some tricks and I still have some good push in me."