Veteran LB Bulluck strikes one-year, $2.5M deal with Giants

Veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck and the New York Giants agreed to a one-year contract that could be worth up to $2.5 million, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported Saturday, citing a source close to the player.

Bulluck's agent, Gary Wichard, confirmed to The Associated Press that the sides had an agreement, but he wouldn't disclose the terms. The Giants later said on their Web site that Bulluck had signed the deal.

Bulluck, a longtime Tennessee Titans defensive anchor, recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and recently passed a physical with the Giants before a workout. The Titans, with whom Bulluck spent his entire 10-year NFL career, weren't in the mix as the former Pro Bowl linebacker narrowed his choices to the Giants and Arizona Cardinals.

Bulluck grew up in New City, N.Y., located about 25 miles north of the Giants' stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

"He told me, 'I'm straight New York. Let's do the deal,'" Wichard told *The Tennessean*.

Wichard also said the Titans showed no interest in re-signing Bulluck.

"I called them and left them a message. I never heard back from them," Wichard said. "Keith knew the minute he walked out of the Titans complex his run in Tennessee was over. He knew it in his mind. But he is excited about what's next. He is excited about joining the Giants."

Bulluck appeared in 157 games with the Titans, registering 18 sacks and 19 interceptions. He was a Pro Bowl selection after the 2003 season.

"I have seen a lot over the years," Bulluck said. "I have seen guys who have been figureheads here being released. With me, I prepared myself over the years for this, because I knew at some point my time would come.

"My time is here now, so I would be a fool to put all my emotions into that and be excited about staying here and then be let down. I have appreciated (the Titans) for giving me the opportunity."

Bulluck will face his former team Sept. 26, when the Titans visit the Giants for a regular-season game.

Bulluck now joins a Giants linebacking unit that's in flux. He could be moved to middle linebacker, where New York is unsettled after the release -- and eventual retirement -- of longtime starter Antonio Pierce.

"I like the concept of playing middle linebacker because in Tennessee I predominantly played on the right side during the base packages," Bulluck told *The New York Post* on Sunday. I always felt if I'm on the right they can always run to the left and make my job harder. In the middle you can't run away from me. I don't have a problem getting off blocks."

Jonathan Goff, Phillip Dillard and Gerris Wilkinson have spent the offseason jockeying for the starting inside job, but Bulluck could be inserted into that mix, too. Michael Boley and Clint Sintim are slated to start at the weakside and strongside spots.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.