Giants sign left tackle Nate Solder
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » The New York Giants have started fixing their woeful offensive line.
A person familiar with the negotiations says the team has an agreement with offensive tackle Nate Solder. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Giants did not announced the deal with the former New England Patriots left tackle when free agency kicked off Wednesday.
NFL Network reported the Giants will give Solder a four-year, $62 million deal.
The 29-year-old Solder was considered the top offensive lineman available in free agency. He will be the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman.
His signing is a major accomplishment for new general manager Dave Gettleman, who has taken over a team that went 3-13 last season. The O-line was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses. Former general manager Jerry Reese’s failure to address the problem in free agency last year led to his firing in December.
Solder will probably take over at left tackle and 2015 first-round draft pick Ereck Flowers will be moved to the right side.
The Giants announced late Wednesday afternoon the signing of former Carolina Panthers cornerback Teddy Williams, who did not play in 2017 after being waived/injured with a shoulder problem.
The 17th player taken in the 2011 draft, Solder has started 95 career games, and he has been relatively injury free in his career.
The Giants still have work to do on the line. The team was 26th in the league in rushing (96.8 yards), 28th in first downs (271), 30th on third downs (32.6 percent), 29th in time of possession (28:27), and 31st in points (246).
Part of the problem was injuries. Center Weston Richburg only played four games because of a concussion and the versatile Justin Pugh was in eight at left guard and right tackle because of back problems.
New York used 10 starting line combinations and only had two games in which a runner gained at least 100 yards, both by Orleans Darkwa.
Richburg is expected to sign with San Francisco. Pugh is a free agent. Veteran guard John Jerry, who started all 16 games last season, is under contract. University at Albany sophomore
Kellly Barkevich (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa)
hit her second home run of the spring road trip Tuesday afternoon during the second game of a doubleheader against Coppin State in Baltimore. The Great Danes swept the day with an 8-6 win in the opener and a commanding 13-1 in the afternoon. Barkevich went 1-for-3 in the opener with a run scored before going 1-for-1 with her home run, driving in a pair of runs and also scoring twice. UAlbany third baseman
McKenzie Bump (Averill Park/Averill Park. H.S.)
went 1-for-3 in Tuesday’s opener with two RBI with a sacrifice fly and stealing a base. She went hitless in the afternoon, but still stole a base and scored twice for the Great Danes. Catcher
Amanda Mosall (Wynantskill/Averill Park H.S.)
went hitless in the opener, scoring a run before going 1-for-1 with a run and RBI in the afternoon session. University at Albany junior third baseman
McKenzie Bump (Averill Park/Averill Park H.S.)
went 1-for-4 with an RBI in the Great Danes 5-4 win over Omaha Sunday afternoon at Hampton, Virginia in the annual Blue and White Classic. First baseman
Kelly Barkevich (Clifton Park/
Mountaineer catcher/utility player
Nicole Mathews (Pittstown/Tamarac H.S.)
went 2-for-3 with a double in the March 13 loss. Sophomore outfielder
Taylor Jarosz (Karaganda, Kazahstan/Lansingburgh H.S.)
went 1-for-2 for Southern Vermont. went 1-for-5 with a run and RBI in the Saints 10-8 loss to No. 23 University of Central Florida at John Euliano Park in Orlando Sunday afternoon. Siena third baseman
Tim Carroll (Ballston Lake/LaSalle Institute)
went 0-for-2 on the day with a run scored. On the hill, left-hander
Shane Barringer (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs H.S.)
pitched one inning, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Righty
Danny Hobbs (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs H.S.)
pitched one frame allowing two runs on two hits. He walked one batter and struck out two. In Saturday’s nightcap, right fielder
Zach Durfee (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa H.S.)
went 1-for-4 at the plate with Matt Hamel going 2-for-3 in the 2-0 loss
Lesley University’s Nick Ladevail threw a complete game to lead the Lynx past RPI Saturday night at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Florida. RPI sophomore third baseman
J.T. Sawyer (Johnsonville/Hoosic Valley H.S.) went 1-for-3
RBI in the loss. with an
went 0-for-3 in Southern Vermont’s 13-9 loss to Mary Washington Tuesday at Fredericksburg, Virginia. He walked twice and stole a base, scoring two runs. In Monday’s loss to Mary Washington Monday, starting pitcher
Joe Braim (Saratoga Springs/Schuylerville H.S.)
was knocked around in the 19-7 loss. He went 5.2 innings and gave up 12 runs on 10 hits with only four of the runs earned. He walked three batters and struck out one. Freshman right-hander
pitched 1.1 inning of relief for the Cardinals on March 11 against SUNY Oneonta at the Lee County Player Development Complex
No. 17 Penn State University used a strong first half to power its way past the University at Albany Sunday afternoon at Tom and Mary Casey Stadium. Two-time America East Rookie of the Week, midfielder
Kendra Harbinger (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa H.S.)
had an assist in the loss for UAlbany. The Great Danes embark on a West Coast trip this week, facing UC Davis on Thursday and Fresno State on Saturday in Fresno, California. goalie Mountaineer
stopped six shots early for Southern Vermont Tuesday afternoon at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania before coming out to score late in the contest.
Alex Safford Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake H.S.)
had an assist in the loss.
The Sage Gators rallied from a two-set deficit Sunday afternoon to take the UVC match at SUNY-New Paltz. Sophomore middle hitter
Tyler Schnaible (Ballston Lake/Shenendehowa)
had seven kills with two aces and three total blocks. Sage will face No. 2 ranked Stevens, NYU and SUNYNew Paltz.