Steve Smith Leaves Giants to Join Rival Eagles

The Giants have yet to play a game, but the blindside hits keep coming. On Wednesday, Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith signed a one-year contract with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, two days after visiting with the Giants' staff and hours after coach Tom Coughlin said his players were excited to see him back in the building.

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Steve Smith

"This is a business, man, and it's tough," Smith said in an evening conference call. "The Eagles, they really pushed hard."
Giants general manager Jerry Reese said he had extended a contract offer to Smith when free agency opened two weeks ago. The receiver had microfracture surgery in December. "It's going to be a long haul for him," Coughlin said.
Smith disagreed. If it were up to him, he said, "I'd say I could go practice tomorrow." That's unlikely, however. And, ultimately, Smith acknowledged that the Eagles' more lucrative offer was the deciding factor.
The fifth-year receiver began running in mid-July and hasn't yet begun making high-velocity cuts, said someone familiar with the Giants' examination of him. They feel he's progressing well, the person said, but his full readiness won't be known until he puts a greater load on the knee.
Smith said the Eagles believe he'll be back by the end of September. They play the Giants on Sept. 25 in Philadelphia.