<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>While a bunch of NFL teams were raiding the shelves when free agency began yesterday, the Giants were exactly what they expected to be: Window shoppers looking for a few good bargains.That could change in the next two days as they welcome linebacker LaVar Arrington, cornerback R.W. McQuarters and safeties Will Demps and Quentin Harris to East Rutherford for visits.Demps, a four-year veteran who started 11 games at free safety for the Ravens last year before partially tearing a knee ligament, is expected to arrive tomorrow, said Noel LaMontagne of Eastern Athletic Services, which represents Demps. If signed, he would compete with James Butler for the starting spot at free safety.According to a league official, Harris' two-day visit with the Giants begins later today, as the team looks to add depth in the secondary and shore up its special-teams unit. Harris, a four-year veteran, was the Cardinals' starting safety for three games at the start of the 2004 season before losing his job to Ifeanyi Ohalete. Last year, he served as Robert Griffith's backup in Arizona.McQuarters, who turned down the Giants last year to sign with the Lions, will arrive today.Harris, 29, is a good bet to sign quickly. Demps, 26, and McQuarters, 29, could also be added before they depart. The 27-year-old Arrington, who is expected to arrive today, could require some convincing -- and a lot of money.As the Giants were preparing for the arrival of those four players, they tried to retain three of their own -- return specialist Chad Morton, backup quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and nose tackle Kendrick Clancy. A person familiar with the negotiations said the team will soon sign Morton and Hasselbeck to multi-year deals. But Clancy already is gone.The six-year veteran agreed to a four-year, $8.1-million deal with the Cardinals yesterday after only one season in blue. Clancy was a major disruption for opposing centers last year and was a big reason for the team's improved run defense.Over the past few weeks, general manager Ernie Accorsi was confident the team would retain Clancy. However, because the Giants signed him to a veteran-minimum deal last year, league rules prevented them from re-signing him until free agency began. Shortly after the clock struck 12:01 a.m. yesterday, the Cardinals swooped in, brought Clancy in for a visit and outbid the Giants, who were offering about $1.7 million less in the first two years of the deal, said Clancy's agent, Ron Del Duca.To replace Clancy, the Giants have a number of options. They contacted Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard yesterday, according to Steve Caric, a spokesman for Bernard's agent, Gary Uberstine. Bernard, who is looking for a big contract after recording 8 1/2 sacks last year, is gathering offers before he begins making visits. A league official said the Giants also have spoken to the agent for Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.Bernard is expected to be the most sought-after member of a group of free-agent defensive tackles that also includes nose tackles Russell Davis (Cardinals) and James Reed (Jets).The loss of Clancy was followed by another bit of bad news for the Giants. They had scheduled a visit for tomorrow with Steelers linebacker Clint Kriewaldt, a reliable backup and special-teams performer. But in a surprising move, the Super Bowl champs retained him at the last minute, said his agent, Ron Slavin.Kriewaldt wasn't the only Steeler the Giants phoned yesterday. A league official said they also contacted the agent for cornerback Deshea Townsend. It was unclear if Townsend is planning on visiting the team soon, as his agent, Peter Schaffer, declined comment. </div>credit nj.com
