Seeking to bolster the defensive tackle position before training camp, the New York Giants have signed veteran free agent Junior Ioane, released by the Houston Texans earlier this month.
A six-year veteran, Ioane adds size (6-foot-4, 332 pounds) and experience to a position where the Giants had become a little thin in the offseason. Ioane, 28, could challenge for the No. 3 spot in the tackle rotation behind projected starters William Joseph and Fred Robbins.
New York lost Kendrick Clancy this spring when he signed a four-year contract with Arizona, after Giants officials believed they had a verbal agreement with him. Clancy had a career season in 2005 and the Giants sorely wanted to retain him. The team also rescinded its restricted free agent qualifying offer to another tackle, Kendrick Allen, when he missed offseason workouts.
That left New York with no true proven backups -- and Ioane, who played the past three seasons for Houston, is a solid if unspectacular veteran capable of filling the breach. He can also play end in a pinch. Coaches remain hopeful that young but inexperienced veterans such as Damane Duckett and Jonas Seawright will develop into contributors.
The Giants also added fourth-rounder Barry Cofield of Northwestern in last month's draft. First-round defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka played some tackle at minicamp, but mostly in passing situations.
For his career, Ioane has appeared in 36 games and has registered 54 tackles and 1½ sacks. He began his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2000 as a fourth-round draft choice. The former Arizona State standout played three seasons in Oakland, then was claimed on waivers by the Texans in 2003.
Contract details on Ioane's deal with the Giants were not available.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here
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