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Giants Sign Former Cowboys Linebacker Dan Connor

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP)  Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Dan Connor has signed with the New York Giants as a free agent. Now, he's on the other side of one of football's most storied rivalries.

The Giants announced the signing of the former Penn State product Saturday without disclosing details.

New York also reached a contract agreement with receiver Louis Murphy, a source familiar with the situation told The Associated Press late Saturday afternoon.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the signing.

Connor can play both inside and outside, so his signing casts some doubt on whether New York will bring back middle linebacker Chase Blackburn, who is a free agent.

Connor started five games at middle linebacker for Dallas last season, making 56 tackles. He also started three games at weakside linebacker. He played his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

"Being able stay in the same division is great," said Connor, released by the Cowboys on Monday. "Talking to the Giants coaches, the (4-3) system seems to fit me. I wanted to get back into a 4-3 look. It's a great opportunity. When my agent called me and said they were interested I was so thrilled. This is a class organization with a lot of tradition. They're a successful team with a winning tradition and it was something I wanted to be a part of. I'm really looking forward to it."

Connor has played in 56 career games with 27 starts. He has 222 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Connor set a Penn State record with 419 career tackles in 45 games (37 starts). He also had 14 sacks and four interceptions.

Murphy played with Carolina last season and caught 25 passes, including one for a touchdown. He played his first three seasons with Oakland, catching 90 passes and six TDs.

Will Connor be an ideal fit for the G-Men? Sound off below…

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)


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