New York Giants: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time

• Tw- time All-Pro selection (2000, 2002)
• Current offensive line coach at Valley Christain High School
• Zero holding penalties in 1997, 1998 and 2001
• Played for Tom Coughlin at Boston College

Many Giants fans will have their memories tested by bringing up the name Ron Stone, but he was a very successful free agent signing in 1996. Back then, the G-Men were criticized for luring the powerful offensive guard away from the Dallas Cowboys because of the value of the contact he signed.

According to the New York Times:

"“Stone, a guard/tackle, signed a five-year, $10 million offer sheet that included a $1.8 million signing bonus. With a $2 million per season average, Stone would be among the five highest-paid players on the team, earning more than center Brian Williams, linebacker Corey Miller and tight end Howard Cross.”"

Despite just one start in two seasons in Big D, Stone became a value signing by the Giants, though. According to Pro Football Reference, Stone was elected to the Pro Bowl after the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was also a durable performer, missing just five games in five seasons.

And in six seasons in the Big Apple, Stone had just five holding penalties called against him. In fact, in four of those seasons (1996, 1997, 1998, 2001), Stone did not have a single holding penalty called against him.

Stone’s signing proves the old adage: “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”