LaVar Arrington openly discussed on Tuesday his health, his image and his determination to silence his critics. "I don't pay attention to pressure," Arrington said when asked if he felt any. "Pressure's good. I'm motivated. You guys are going to get what you're looking for. Maybe a little more." Arrington said he would be comfortable playing in the Giants' defensive scheme, adding that his penchant for aggressive sideline-to-sideline pursuit would be a welcome addition, not a liability. "Nobody makes it in the N.F.L. just freelancing," said Arrington, known for his pass-rushing ability. "I try my best to fit into whatever it is I'm being taught. I'm a very coachable individual. "I think I'm a pleasant individual to be around. Where all those things got started, I have no idea. Maybe it's the style of play. Even if I'm on one side of the field, if I see the play and I analyze it, I'm going to go make it. At times, it works; at times, it doesn't. Maybe that's where it came from. But I'm out there giving 100 percent."

The Lavar Arrington free agency is finally over, as he has reached an agreement in principal with the New York Giants. It is reportedly a seven-year deal worth $49 million. Five teams had been in the running for Arrington, but the Giants took a significant step toward getting a deal done Thursday. After Arrington took and passed a physical Thursday, negotiations turned serious and had been ongoing for more than 24 hours. The Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins and Bengals had also been in the mix. Arrington's agent, Carl Poston, said the Jaguars and Packers made progress with their offers Friday, but the Giants took the lead Friday. Arrington had hoped to stay in the NFC East in order to play the Redskins two times a year. "Antonio Pierce really made a push to get the Giants to bring LaVar to New York," Poston said Friday. "It's a good fit. It would be great to have LaVar in the New York market."

Indications on Friday night were that linebacker LaVar Arrington was on the verge of signing with the New York Giants, meaning the Packers will lose out on the highest-profile free agent they entertained this offseason. Arrington, who visited the Packers last week, was believed to have narrowed his choices to the Giants and Packers. On Thursday, he made a second visit to New York, where he took a physical for the Giants? team doctors. On Friday, significant progress was made in Arrington?s negotiations with the Giants. Arrington was reportedly seeking a multi-year contract that averaged $7 million per season.

LaVar Arrington made his second visit to the Giants yesterday morning. But GM Ernie Accorsi didn't sound like he was expecting the linebacker back for a third. As reported in yesterday's Daily News, Arrington took his long-awaited physical for the Giants, but according to Accorsi, "nothing has happened in the negotiations." Arrington didn't even come to Giants Stadium after being examined by team doctors in Manhattan. "He had a physical with us," Accorsi said. "That's all that's taken place. "If this now triggers another round of hysteria it's going to be inaccurate, just like the last round. Obviously you're not going to even think about a player unless you get a physical examination. So we have that. That has not in any way affected or influenced any supposed negotiations. Nothing's gone on in that front at all."

LaVar Arrington has reopened talks with Giants, but team says linebacker needs to drop his asking price. The Giants are back in the LaVar Arrington chase, and this time it appears the ex-Redskins linebacker may be serious about striking a deal. Arrington will arrive in town for his second visit with the team this morning, according to an associate of his agent, and has even agreed to undergo a physical - something he declined to do when he first visited the Giants on March 11-12. That's an important concession for the 27-year-old free agent because of league-wide concerns about the health of his surgically repaired right knee.

The New York Giants added depth at linebacker, signing Brandon Short on Wednesday. Short spent the first four years of his career with the Giants before playing the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. "The Giants have always been a class organization, and I'm happy to be back and be a part of it," Short said. "I have great memories of my time here."

The Giants have rescinded their tender to restricted free-agent defensive tackle Kenderick Allen, the team confirmed yesterday. The three-year veteran, who signed with the Giants in 2004 after one season with the Saints, had played sparingly on defense and special teams. At times, Allen showed flashes of being an effective run-stopper and pass-rusher, recording 40 total tackles and three sacks with the Giants. But he was too inconsistent at practice and on game day for the team's liking.

Given his pedigree, it was not likely linebacker LaVar Arrington would make it into the month of April without hooking on with a new team. But that is the case, a sure sign the player is seeking more money than anyone is willing to spend. The Giants have real interest in Arrington but have engaged in no real substantive talks with his agents since making an offer three weeks ago. Arrington and his family paid a visit to the Giants in the second week of March, dined with coach Tom Coughlin, GM Ernie Accorsi and linebacker Antonio Pierce, Arrington's former teammate with the Redskins.

Former Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington continued to negotiate with the New York Giants yesterday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Arrington, who negotiated his release from the club before the start of free agency last month, has stated his desire to remain in the NFC East, and he is the highest-profile free agent remaining on the market. Jacksonville, Miami and Cincinnati have made efforts to sign him as well.

The New York Giants and Jets moved a step closer to their new home in the Meadowlands. Officials from New Jersey, the Giants and the Jets said Friday they've made several changes to an agreement signed last fall that will create a new, $1 billion football stadium in East Rutherford.