Free agent and former Giants linebacker Jessie Armstead told SportsLine.com that he will sign a three-year, $4.5 million deal with the Washington Redskins on Saturday.

"I spoke to (owner) Mr. (Daniel) Snyder, and Marvin Lewis called. They really showed that they wanted me," Armstead said.

Armstead said if he couldn't stay with the Giants, he wanted to remain in the NFC East.

"It makes me feel comfortable to go to a place I already know," he said. "Other teams called, but I really felt comfortable with Washington."

Armstead's deal includes a $1.25 million signing bonus.

The active Redskins also came to terms on a one-year deal with free agent wide receiver Reidel Anthony, formerly with the Bucs.

Armstead also said out of respect to coach John Fox, he first tried to work out a deal with Carolina, but it could not be worked out because of salary cap reasons.

The fiery Armstead became the leader of the Giants defense in the post-Lawrence Taylor era and represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl the past five seasons, including a start in the all-star game earlier this month.

The vocal linebacker played this season despite a torn hamstring.

Armstead was the Giants' eighth-round pick in the 1993 draft and immediately made an impact with vicious special teams hits. When Jim Fassel and Fox arrived in 1997, Armstead's career skyrocketed.

However, because he was an eighth-rounder who was at first considered a part-time player during the Dan Reeves regime, the former Miami Hurricane took an attitude that he was always on borrowed time.