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Giants sign Locklear, close to acquiring LB Rivers

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Offensive tackle Sean Locklear signed with the Giants after spending 2011 with the division-rival Redskins.

The Giants are also close to acquiring linebacker Keith Rivers from the Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round pick, according to the New York Daily News. Rivers, the ninth overall pick in 2008, missed all of last season with a wrist injury.

A ninth-year veteran, Locklear spent his first seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks after being selected in the third round out of North Carolina State in 2004. A highly-experienced right tackle, Locklear has also spent time on the blind side.

"It's exciting," said Locklear. "I was on the other end of two games against the Giants last year - followed them pretty well in their run to the Super Bowl. But, actually, when I got the call I was kind of excited about the chance to actually play in New York and who doesn't want to play with the team who just got done winning the Super Bowl? My thing is to just get in here and start fresh, start learning again and try to help this team get back to where they want to go."

Locklear, who will be at the start of the Giants' offseason program Monday, has started 82 of his 105 career regular-season games. He started four of the eight games he appeared in for Washington last season, including three starts at left tackle when Trent Williams was suspended at the end of the season.

Locklear admitted he prefers the right side, and the Giants could be looking at a change there with incumbent Kareem McKenzie still unsigned.

"I talked to all of the coaches - the offensive line coach (Pat Flaherty), Coach (Tom) Coughlin. They said 'Come and compete, just like everybody else. Nothing is handed to you,'" said Locklear. "Which, we all know that. Nothing's handed to me. So I'm excited to get here and obviously learn and be ready to get back to playing football."

Rivers has two years remaining on his rookie six-year, $20.1 million deal. If acquired, he'd likely play outside with Michael Boley moving to the middle.