Legree will beef up defensive line

Two years ago, the Giants placed five defensive ends on injured reserve. Now that they're without their top three ends because of injuries, they've turned to one of the few who stayed healthy for most of 2004 -- Lance Legree. The Giants placed Justin Tuck on injured reserve yesterday, one day after announcing the second-year end would undergo surgery on his foot. In Tuck's place, the team signed Legree, who played for the Jets last year but was cut in February.  Legree played well at end and tackle for the Giants in 15 games two years ago and had a career-high 36 tackles. Last year, he had three sacks with the Jets.

"Lance was the highest-rated player that we could bring in and so we did," coach Tom Coughlin said. Legree, listed at 6-1, 300 pounds, will focus on end for now because the Giants are without starters Michael Strahan (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (hip flexor). Strahan is listed as out for Monday night's game against the Jaguars, while Umenyiora is doubtful. With both players out of action, defensive tackle William Joseph made his first career start at end against the Bears last Sunday. Continue