NFL

Sehorn: I was willing to take pay cut to stay

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jason Sehorn says he was more than willing to take a pay cut to play again for the Giants.

The veteran cornerback was released Friday after nine seasons with the team. He was due to make $4.3-million next season and receive a $1-million roster bonus this month.

Sehorn and the Giants talked about reducing his salary this season to $1-million, but the team refused to guarantee that he wouldn't be cut before training camp.

He also had offered to move to safety, with Will Peterson and Will Allen entrenched as cornerbacks. Sehorn lost his starting job to Peterson last season.

"My opinion is that I must have worn out my welcome with some in the organization, as not everyone was as excited about the prospect of me playing safety as others were," Sehorn said in a letter to the "Giants family and fans" posted on his Web site, www.sehornscorner.org. "And quite frankly, some may not have appreciated my voice and opinion, or I'd still be wearing Giant blue," he added. "Or perhaps it was strictly about money for them, as I was more than willing to take a significant pay cut. If that's the case, then I'm simply another cap casualty because I would have been cheaper to keep (than) let go."

Releasing Sehorn will cost the Giants $8-million against the salary cap this season, but he will be off the cap next year.

A former second-round draft pick out of Southern California in 1994, Sehorn transformed from an average safety into one of the league's top cover cornerbacks.

He had 11 interceptions in 1996 and 1997 combined, but his career took a downward turn when he seriously injured his right knee and missed the 1998 season.

BILLS: Dick LeBeau joined as an assistant after being fired as coach in Cincinnati at the end of last season. He is scheduled to begin today, team spokesman Scott Berchtold said. LeBeau, a respected defensive strategist, will serve under coach Gregg Williams and work with defensive coordinator Jerry Gray.

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