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The New York Giants and Terrell Thomas came to an agreement on a new one-year deal Monday afternoon. After he had torn his ACL for the third time, it was assumed that the team was going to pass on his $6 million option left on his contract. Instead the two sides negotiated a deal that would keep him a Giant, and Thomas couldn't be happier – all without paying for said $6 million option.
"I'm blessed and happy to have another opportunity to play football, especially with such a loyal organization, the one I started my career with," Thomas said in a statement released by the Giants. "For them to give me another opportunity to prove myself, I feel very blessed."
Thomas is attempting to make a comeback after going through a third knee surgery. He was slated to start next to Corey Webster after coming back from the same injury suffered during the 2011 season, but that plan was derailed due to another injury requiring surgery. Now Thomas insists his knee has improved significantly and he's ready to make an impact for the Giants this season.
"My knee feels great," Thomas added. "It was a little struggle at first. It was a little inconsistent with the swelling. But for the last month-and-a half I haven't dealt with any swelling at all. It's progressed the last two weeks since I started running. The doctors are really happy with the way I'm progressing. They had to increase my workload because it wasn't enough."
General Manager Jerry Reese had made comments at the end of the season suggesting Thomas could transition to safety to put less strain on his surgically repaired knee. After being away from football for so long, Thomas couldn't care less what position he's assigned.
"At this point, I don't care if they move me to kicker," Thomas said. "I just want to play football."
Thomas has missed every game of the 2011 and 2012 seasons due to his ACL issues. He will now have to compete with Antrel Rolle, Stevie Brown, Tyler Sash, Will Hill and perhaps Kenny Phillips (who is a free agent), for playing time at safety. The Giants also have Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara and Jayron Hosley on the roster at corner.
There is plenty of time for Thomas to continue his rehab as he prepares for training camp where he will have to prove he still has what it takes physically to compete.
"It's been a long two years," Thomas said. "It's definitely been a test of my will. But it's made me a stronger person. It showed me a lot of things about myself that I needed to fix and at the same time it showed me how strong I was. It's been a tough time for me and my family and especially beating myself up."
photo credit: MattBritt00 via photopin cc
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You gotta be rooting for this guy. But I hope they play it smart and carve out some sort of limited role for him. At least for this year. Cause after 3 ACLs you have to go slow.
Honestly… I’d give him a look at kicker. Real athletes kick so much farther than kickers.
That’s not a knock on T2, I’m pulling for him. That’s a dig at noodle leg Tynes, who could somehow be a 7-figure player on this cap strapped team in 2013.
Reinforcement at DT?
@ProFootballTalk: JaMarcus Russell keeps working toward getting back to the NFL http://t.co/I6H3PufJ
Put him next to Rogers and I believe we could attain critical mass.