Giants sign 2 more

[Lughead]

Giants Sign DT Marcus Bell and DB Michael Stone

Team continues to add experience to defense.

By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

Take this story to go! - RSS | Podcast | Mobile

April 13, 2007

 

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. � The Giants announced the signing of two veteran free agents today: defensive tackle Marcus Bell and defensive back Michael Stone.

 

A fourth round draft choice by Arizona in 2001, the 6-2, 325-pound Bell spent the first three years of his career with the Cardinals before spending the last three seasons with Detroit.

 

The 28-year old Bell had the best season of his career with 52 tackles (21 solo) in 2006 before being placed on Injured Reserve on Dec. 18 with a broken bone in his hand. Bell took over as the starting nose tackle due to Shaun Rogers� suspension and season-ending knee surgery, and started seven games at that position.

 

Bell has appeared in 86 games with 21 starts in his career and has recorded 165 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

 

Among his career highlights are a couple of nice efforts against his new team. In 2002, in a Giants� 21-7 loss at Arizona, Bell came through with timely pressure of Giants quarterback Kerry Collins as the hurried throw was intercepted at the 11-yard line by cornerback David Barrett to end a Giant scoring threat.

 

In the 2001 Giants-Cardinals matchup in Arizona, a 17-10 Giants victory, Bell led all Cardinals defensive linemen with 10 combined tackles, including stopping Giants tight end Howard Cross for a seven-yard gain on third-and-eight, forcing the Giants to settle for a fourth-quarter field goal.

 

Stone, another veteran of six NFL seasons, was originally selected by Arizona Cardinals in second round (54th pick overall) of 2001 NFL draft. After spending the first four years of his career with the Cardinals, the 6-0, 201-pound Stone was with New England in 2005 and Houston last season. An outstanding special teams player, Stone has played both safety and corner in his career.

 

The 29-year old Stone has played in 52 career games. He established his career-high with 17 special teams tackles for Arizona in 2004 and then matched that number the following season as a member of the Patriots.

[Sephiroth]

Looks like two solid pickups to come in and compete.

[UK-Giantsfan]

i like the Bell signing a lot ....will be excellent in rotation at DT and also a very useful and much needed run stopper

Reese is going about business quietly and cleverly strenghtening our D ...can't wait for Apr 28

[Reaper]

I would take this that we are going to draft a Linebacker with our 1st Round Draft Pick.

[NeMesiS]

I would take this that we are going to draft a Linebacker with our 1st Round Draft Pick.

Either that or a CB.

[MakeMeSomeFoodHo]

Im leary about drafitn CB's in the first round...as important as the position is, there really arent too many good ones. Id rather trade for an established CB than draft one that early

[xxi-xxv]

Bell is one of those signings where you do not remember it until the 4th quarter of a big game and the Dline is still playting with fresh legs. Good rotational DT and will add much needed depth to the spot.

[Sephiroth]

Bell is one of those signings where you do not remember it until the 4th quarter of a big game and the Dline is still playting with fresh legs. Good rotational DT and will add much needed depth to the spot.

 

I'm hoping that this is a "Kendrick Clancy" signing for the upcoming year.

 

 

When it happens, you say, "who?" but six games into the season you're like, "man, I'm glad we picked up that guy."

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

Blue collar DT's are the unsung hero's of the defense.