EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After spending the past two days working out and meeting with the New York Giants, Aaron Curry signed a one-year deal with the team.

Curry, the former fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, is looking for a fresh start with the Giants, who can use help at linebacker.

"We think we have a good opportunity for him to see if he can re-invent himself a little bit and bring something to our linebacking corps," general manager Jerry Reese said. "If he didn't work out well for us, we wouldn't be fooling around with this.

"He's the fourth pick in the draft a few years ago," Reese added. "Obviously, we think he has some talent. We had him graded high back then. We will see what happens."

Curry's career has been slowed by knee injuries. The fourth overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2009 played a total of 35 games in three seasons for Seattle. He was dealt to the Raiders and played in 11 games in 2011 but appeared in only two games in 2012 before being released.

The 27-year-old Curry has a total of 163 career tackles, and all of his 5.5 sacks came during his first two seasons in Seattle.

Reese acknowledged Curry's previous knee issues are serious.

"I think that is part of the problem; he has had some knee injuries that have hampered him a little bit," Reese said.

Curry visited with the Giants on Thursday and watched the team's first day of rookie camp Friday before signing. Reese said the linebacker looked good during his individual workout and passed his physical but needs to drop about 10 pounds.

The Giants did not draft a linebacker in last month's draft. Reese says Curry can play middle linebacker and the Sam linebacker spot. Curry joins a

linebacker unit that includes Jacquian Williams, Dan Connor, Keith Rivers, Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger. Mathias Kiwanuka likely could move back to play defensive end with Osi Umenyiora gone.

The Giants and Curry hope a fresh and healthy start will help the linebacker look more like the player they both thought he could have been coming out of Wake Forest.

"Of course, this is low risk," Reese said. "It is an opportunity for him. If he comes on and looks likes the player that he was when he was the fourth pick in the draft, then it is a win-win for everybody."