Agent: Giants, Arrington close to reaching deal

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The Giants and former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington are close to a deal that will keep the three-time Pro Bowler in the NFC East, according to Arrington's agent, Carl Poston.

	Arrington

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 have been ongoing for more than 24 hours.

Poston wasn't sure if a deal was going to be completed by Friday night, but he said negotiations between Arrington and the Giants were close to getting done and should be completed soon.

The Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins and Bengals had also been in the mix. 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. "It's a good fit. It would be great to have LaVar in the New York market."

Pierce left the Redskins after the 2004 and was an instant star in the Giants defense.

Terms of any detail weren't available. The Dolphins had a $5 million a year offer on the table. Arrington was hoping to get a deal in the $7.5 million a year range.

	Woodson

While the Postons -- Kevin and Carl -- were working to complete the deal Friday night between the Giants and Arrington, negotiations for Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson were heating up and there is a chance something could be done this weekend.

The Packers and Bucs have been the most active in trying to recruit Woodson. The Bucs are looking at Woodson as a safety. The Packers want him at cornerback. Other teams have entered the picture, according to Carl Poston, Woodson's agent.

"We're working on Charles and hoping to get something done," Poston said. "Things are picking up."

Woodson and cornerback Ty Law will be the top free agents available once Arrington completes his deal with the Giants. Law has been talking to the Seahawks and several other teams.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

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John Clayton

NFL senior writer

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• Senior NFL writer and commentator
• Joined ESPN in 1995
• Member of the writers' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio