High-steaks recruiting

WHILE everyone knows the Giants reeled in free agents Kareem McKenzie and Antonio Pierce and the Jets locked up Derrick Blaylock, there's a lot more to the story. The recruitment of free agents has become oftentimes larger than life, and a big part of determining where the highly sought NFL free-agent talent lands. "It's like college times 10," said former Giant Roman Oben, who's been on four NFL clubs. "Once you get a guy to visit, it's more than just to get to know a little about him," added Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson. "You have to do whatever you can to keep him." That includes the usual wining and dining, as well as spa visits for wives or girlfriends, locker-room tours, gifts and the like. Continue