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Giants keep Hamilton, Washington gets Mitchell
Two rivals from the NFC East strengthened their defensive units on Friday,
the New York Giants by retaining a veteran coming off an injury-plagued
1999 season and the Washington Redskins by acquiring an unrestricted free
agent who adds depth to their young linebacker corps.
Hamilton is a four-year veteran who started 15 games for the Giants in 1998, filling in for injured cornerback Jason Sehorn. But in 1999, Hamilton suffered a string of injuries himself and played in a career-low three games. Sources said that Hamilton, 25, agreed to a three-year contract worth about $4 million and with a signing bonus of $400,000-$500,000. The former Eastern New Mexico standout has appeared in 48 games with 18 starts and totaled 148 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. Mitchell brings six seasons of experience to the Redskins, to have been looking for an older linebacker for leadership. Mitchell, 29, began his career as a second-round choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. He played four seasons for the 49ers before signing in New Orleans as a free agent in 1998. In his first season with the Saints, he started a career-high eight games and had 56 tackles and 2½ sacks. He returned to spot action in '99, playing in all 16 games but starting only one. In his career, he has 83 appearances and 12 starts, with 187 tackles and 3½ sacks. The Redskins project him as a versatile backup at the middle or outside spots and a special teams player.
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