By PFW staff
July 10, 2008

Free-agent OT Shane Olivea nearly signed with the Giants around June 1 before he was suspended by the NFL for four games following a positive test for an illegal substance. But now that he has been reinstated fully, ESPN.com is reporting, he has signed a one-year deal with New York.

Multiple sources, including the San Diego Union-Tribune, are reporting that Olivea has been cleared to play the entire 2008 season by the NFL. He was suspended in April following the failed test, but the league determined that he did not receive the notification because he had checked himself into a drug treatment center.

Olivea, who grew up in New York, had a successful workout with the Giants and will add to the depth at the position. OLT David Diehl and ORT Kareem McKenzie are expected to keep their starting spots, but the team’s depth is a little thin after not drafting or signing another tackle this offseason.

In three up-and-down seasons with the Chargers, Olivea showed great skill as a right tackle, earning All-Rookie honors from PFW in ’04 and starting 31 of his first 32 NFL games. But after receiving a six-year, $20 million extension before the ’06 season, his play dropped off significantly, and he was cut by the Chargers after the ’07 season before his positive drug test.