The New York Giants made 12 transactions today to get down to the league limit of 75 players. The team had to part ways with only two players with NFL regular season experience. Cooper Taylor was the Giants 2013 fifth round draft choice who played in 16 games, including six last season. Byron Stingily, who was placed on injured reserve with a concussion, played in 20 games for the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
New York Giants Cut Roster to 75
Another notable cut was Bennett Jackson, a defensive back, was a 2014 sixth round draft choice who missed each of the last two years with a knee injury.
The team also released eight rookie and first year free agents: running back Marshaun Coprich; wide receivers K.J. Maye and Kadron Boone; cornerback Joe Powell; offensive lineman Shane McDermott; Defensive tackles Davon Coleman and Greg Milhouse; and defensive end Mike Rose.
Tight End Ryan Malleck, another rookie free agent, was waived/injured. Tight End Matt LaCosse was waived yesterday with a knee injury.
All NFL Teams to 53 Players
All NFL teams were required to get to 75 players by Tuesday at 4:00 pm. The final cut to 53 players then comes Saturday. As we prepare for that final step in setting the teams roster let’s take a look at who remains and the battles at hand.
The Main battles
Wide Recievers: Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, Victor Cruz, Dwayne Harris, Geremy Davis, Tavarres King, Roger Lewis, Darius Powe, and Anthony Dable. Last year the Giants kept six wide outs on the roster, and the top six on this list would appear to have the inside track as of today. Thursday night will determine a lot for this group.
Linebacker: Devon Kennard, Jasper Brinkley, Jonathan Casillas, Kelvin Sheppard, Mark Herzlich, Brad Bars, B.J. Goodson, Keenan Robinson, Ishaq Williams, J.T. Thomas. Once again the Giants kept six linebackers on the team last year. This will be an almost impossible task this year. Injuries will play a role here as the team tries to identify the top players at this position. Look for a player like Ishaq Williams to perhaps be signed to the practice squad, but it seems a sure bet a good NFL player will be available to other teams come Saturday afternoon.
Running Backs Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Andre Williams, Orleans Darkwa, Paul Perkins, Bobby Rainey. The Giants kept just four running backs last season, and again it looks like a fairly good player will have to be released. Bobby Rainey could be the kick return specialist. This would could squeeze one of the other players out of a job.
The Numbers
With the new coaching regime in place in New York the player counts per position may change, but it’s a difficult task. Two QB’s, Four RB’s, Six WR’s, 10 O-Line, four Tight Ends, one Fullback, eight D-Line, six LB’s, eight D-backs, One Kicker, One Punter, One Long Snapper. That leaves one spot open if they follow this formula. Building a good competitive roster while making sure their is depth available at key positions in not an easy task. Take your best shot at making a 53 man roster. We will get the official one Saturday night.
Main Photo:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo of the New York Giants goes over a play with Eli Manning #10 during a game against the Washington Redskins on December 14, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 24-13. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
