DE Charles Johnson: Conversation With Jerry Reese Led Me To Re-Sign With Panthers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jerry Reese's recruiting methods sound like they could use some work.
The Giants general manager offered free agent defensive end Charles Johnson a contract -- reportedly for one year, $6 million -- but after having a conversation with Reese, Johnson opted to accept half that money to return to Carolina.
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Johnson told Panthers.com he asked Reese if he would ever leave the Giants to accept a job with another team for more money.
Reese gave an honest answer -- perhaps too honest.
"He started as an intern there and now he's the GM for the Giants," Johnson said of Reese. "He saw everything that happened -- championships and all that. He said he wouldn't trade that for the world. When he said that, I just thought to myself, 'I've been here the longest. And all I've asked for is an opportunity. So how can I turn away from my team and the family that's in Charlotte – how can I turn away?'
"That overweighed everything," added Johnson, who was drafted by Carolina in 2007. "I wanted to be happy, and I literally couldn't imagine signing with them. This place raised me."
So the Giants' search for a pass rusher continues. They've already reach an agreement to re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul and are reportedly setting their sights on Miami's Olivier Vernon.