Giants sign Robert Ayers, Broncos DE, for a 2 year deal

+NFL

Robert Ayers, former Broncos defensive end, signed by New York Giants

+The Associated Press 

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have signed former Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers.

Ayers' addition Wednesday makes him the 13th veteran the team has signed since free agency started.

Robert Ayers +The Denver Post  file)

Ayers had a career-high 5.5 sacks last season for the AFC champion Broncos. A 2009 first-round draft choice out of Tennessee and a New Jersey native, he is the fourth participant from February's Super Bowl, and the third from the Broncos, to join the Giants. The others are cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and return specialist Trindon Holliday. Cornerback Walter Thurmond left Seattle to join the Giants.

The Giants lost defensive captain Justin Tuck to Oakland in free agency, leaving Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and second-year pro Damontre Moore. Pierre-Paul was limited by injuries last season.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, coming to a great organization like this," Ayers said. "They hate losing and they're always about getting better and preparing, and I've heard nothing but good things about the general manager and the owners, the coaches. Everyone speaks highly of them across the league. They're a blue-collar organization."

Ayers played in 72 regular-season games with 27 starts for the Broncos and had 141 tackles (101 solo), 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.

The Giants have been the NFL's most active team in free agency. Along with Rodgers-Cromartie, Thurmond and Holliday, they have signed offensive linemen Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton, John Jerry and Charles Brown; defensive backs Zack Bowman and Quinton Demps; wide receiver Mario Manningham; linebacker Jameel McClain; and running back Rashad Jennings.

The +New York Giants have also retained 10 of their own free agents - linebackers Jon Beason, Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich; cornerback Trumaine McBride; safety Stevie Brown; kicker Josh Brown; quarterback Curtis Painter; running back Peyton Hillis; fullback Henry Hynoski; and defensive tackle Mike Patterson.

Read more: Robert Ayers, former Broncos defensive end, signed by New York Giants - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_25476158/giants-sign-free-agent-de-robert-ayers#ixzz2xnYbTK8z

As reported by +BRONCOS CR3W:

Former Denver Broncos Defensive End Robert Ayers signs 2-year deal with New York Giants

Former Denver Broncos Defensive Lineman Robert Ayers signs a 2-year deal with the New York Giants. Courtesy: Steve Dykes/Getty Images

NEW YORK - The +Denver Broncos have lost another contributor on defense, as Robert Ayers joins the +New York Giants. Ayers, 28, inked a 2-year deal with the Giants worth $4 million with $1.75 million guaranteed, according to +ESPN. Ayers drafted by the Broncos in the first round with the 18th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. Last season he played in 15 games with three starts, posting a career-best 5.5 sacks and 29 tackles. The 6-3, 274 pound lineman is moving closer to home as he was born in Jersey City, N.J. This is the second Broncos defender the Giants have swept up from the team during free agency. The Giants signed cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on March 18.

+BRONCOS CR3W says thank you, to yet another class act, on and off the field, and wishes him the best on his next chapter of his football career as he joins the +New York Giants with a 2 year deal. Did it the "Broncos' Way" and that is a standard that we all can hope for really. Doing it the "Broncos" way is a quite difficult task to do, set by greats like Tripucka, Elway, Terrell Davis, Karl Mecklenburg, and so on. There is no doubt, if that's the standard set by those Hall of Famers, it is very much appreciated when a player does it as such. He really was a young leader with this team beginning early into his 2nd year. Granted, we figured this was the fate with the defensive line depth, in the draft, but mainly with Ware signing and Derek Wolfe expected to be back. Wolfe returning is nearly adding a free agent since it was uncertain regarding his future in the sport. Add to the main ingredient of that, Malik Jackson really blossomed last year as a 3 or 4 technique DT/DE and he provided interior pressure at DT, which is much more difficult than at DE. Nonetheless, Mr. Robert Ayers did it the right way and we appreciate the guy becoming such a great man entering the league at the age of 22ish. That is not an easy load to carry, let alone, going out and playing football as expected.

@TheMalikJackson @1_900_ayersjr #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/uOy35wmVqt
— UnitedInOrange187 (@UIO187) March 29, 2014

Read the rest of the article (full article): +BRONCOS CR3W publish Ayers on way to +New York Giants.
In one of the most revered 'recent' Broncos moments, this sack on Tom Brady of the +New England Patriots in the AFC Championship was indeed one of those. The Giants added a great leader in the locker room and a smart player that can fulfill his type of role that is expected. That is really what football is, especially at the top level. With the size and speed these players possess, they often can be out of position, run back around on a reverse (offense or defense) and cut against the grain and make a huge play. Naturally because of the opponents talent level not being higher than an average college football athlete. In the pros, however, if you don't hold your assignment, it is often the difference of 7 pts. for one club and not for another. Thanks for being a great Bronco, Robert!! One of the greatest plays of 2013 was Ayers sack on Tom Brady in the +NFL's AFC Championship game. Here is the snapshot, from +Denver Broncos (AP), the former +Tennessee Vols.

Continue to read --> Ayers with the Giants, former Defensive Lineman of Broncos, Vols

GIANTS sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (who missed out on some extra money by allowing Denver to pursue alternatives, cough cough, Aqib Talib)