New York Giants 2014: Practice Squad Assembled
By Adam Ganeles
Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Practice Squad is here
The importance of quality depth in the NFL doesn’t end at player #53. In its simplest, bare bone terms — football is a gruesome sport. Injuries, of varying severity, occur with saddening frequency, and only those teams with effective “deep scouting” philosophies can overcome them consistently. Behold… the 10-man practice squad. Not only does the PS provide roster insurance, but it also serves as a developmental platform for young talent. Just ask your head coach, Mr. Tom Coughlin:
"“The practice squad is not taken lightly. There are a lot of things that go into making choices and one of the things that’s really important, that has to be stressed, this summer is that we’ve got it to 10. And that’s a very important thing, the fact that we can have 10 practice squad guys means a lot in terms of your ability to prepare. Because as you go through the season and you have the various nicks that occur during the course of it and players can’t practice, at least you can continue to service your first groups with your practice squad players. That helps tremendously because the drain always comes."
Giants 2014 Practice Squad
Jordan Stanton, DE | Despite a pair of strip-sacks, Stanton recorded a -1.7 Pro Football Focus pass rush rating in the Giants five preseason tilts. Standing at 6’4 263 lbs, Stanton has an attractive DE frame to build on.
Michael Cox, RB | Cox looks the part and has shown explosive burst in the return game. He lacks patience in the backfield, however, and averaged 2.4 yards per carry in the preseason.
Bennett Jackson, CB | The Giants sixth round pick cleared waivers, which speaks volumes. Jackson is mostly return game insurance.
Chandler Fenner, CB | An UDFA back in 2012, Fenner earned his practice squad spot with a PFF pass coverage grade of +1.5 in the preseason finale versus New England (26 snaps).
Dan Fox, LB | Fox is a stable depth piece at linebacker who performed serviceably in coverage during the exhibition slate. High character guy with football intelligence.
Julian Talley, WR | Massachusetts product part deux, the possession receiving Talley caught five balls during the preseason for 38 yards. His long grab was ten yards. Talley displayed a decent rapport with backup Ryan Nassib.
Mark Asper, OT | The Giants got a long look at the massive 6’6 325 lb Asper against the Jets and Patriots. Asper’s performance was a mixed bag in 90 composite snaps.
Nick Becton, OT | Becton was released by San Diego following extremely limited game opportunity.
Jerome Cunningham, TE | Cunningham managed a -1.6 run block grade in only 23 snaps. Impressive. Nevertheless… the Giants are intrigued by his physical canvas.
Dominique Hamilton, DT | Hamilton spent the entirety of 2012 and 2013 on practice squads, but he was released by Kansas City last week.
Practice Squad: Overall…
Having ten players on the practice squad is interesting. Back in the day, teams were only be able to keep eight.
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Every player on this list has shown flashes of NFL level potential, and now they’ll be able to work towards that potential with the New York Giants for 17 weeks of practice. With that being said, what you have to understand about this list is that at any moment during the season it can change.
Practice squad rosters are in constant flux throughout the NFL season. So keeping that in mind… beware of who you fall in love with on this list, because it’s a here today, gone tomorrow type of situation. Nevertheless, the G-Men have comprised a PS list that is full of youthful talent, with potential NFL success on the horizon for some.