It appears the Giants made a pretty solid pickup in former Texans linebacker Danny Clark last night. Not only has Clark had plenty of experience on the strong side, where he’s slated to back up Mathias Kiwanuka while contributing on special teams, but he also started six games for the Jaguars in 2003 on the weak side.

Could be a good replacement for Kawika Mitchell, or certainly at least some stiff competition for young Gerris Wilkinson to speed his development as a starter.

Anyway, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Clark couldn’t have been happier to sign with the Giants for two years, $4 million, and not just because of the paycheck. He’s reuniting with Tom Coughlin, the guy who drafted him in the seventh round out of Illinois in 2000.

“He made me do the right things,” Clark said of Coughlin, who was not exactly the warm and cuddly fellow back then that we all know today. “He ultimately teaches you how to be a professional. He teaches you to be accountable to your teammates, and be on time and dress appropriately. All that stuff molds a young guy to be an upstanding citizen in this league, and that’s something you don’t find all the time.”

Sounds like Clark, the first of Coughlin’s old Jags to join him, is a real fan. He even made Coughlin aware of the affect the coach had on him as a youngster before he signed last night.

Even better, he’s an aggressive player who led the Raiders in tackles in eight games in 2004, starting every game at middle linebacker. He started 15 games in 2005, again leading the Raiders in tackles.

He played the strong side last year in Houston, starting 13 games before a groin injury slowed him down.

“I have a passion for all three linebacker spots,” Clark said. “I’m a middle linebacker by trade, and am darned good on the outside as well. I think when you go downhill, my emphasis is on making big hits and disconnecting the ball from the ballcarrier. It doesn’t matter where you line up, as long as you make plays where you’re doing it.”

Hard to argue with the confidence. Now let’s see if the 30-year-old has anything left in the tank.

Ciao for now.