NFL Network Top 100: Giants Sparsely Included

Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Network unveiled another ten names Wednesday evening on its top-100 player countdown for 2014. Thus far through six episodes, only one New York Giant stands among the 59 players selected — team captain Antrel Rolle at #72.

Speaking of Rolle — outside of his quality and production between the lines, his leadership off the field has been (and will continue to be) an invaluable commodity for the Giants organization. Following the disciplinary actions taken against Will Hill and Jayron Hosley last week, Rolle offered up these “stinging” quotes:

"“That’s something we don’t need around here. It’s a bad reflection. It doesn’t look good.”“Will knew the situation he put the Giants in and he forced their hand. For him to keep moving himself in the wrong direction, it’s not a good thing . . . We know right from wrong. It’s too easy to do right to keep doing wrong.”"

Rolle is THAT VOICE. When he speaks, all the roster newcomers pay heed. Anyway… back to the top-100 list.

With the esteemed names beginning to flow like water, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and wide receiver Victor Cruz are the only Giants with a realistic shot to crack the elite 40. It’s become abundantly clear at this juncture that Eli Manning, Jason Pierre-Paul and Geoff Schwartz have been passed over. Coming off rugged campaigns, it’s difficult to support the case of either Eli or JPP despite past glory and heroism. The current constitution of the list doesn’t support the candidacy of Schwartz, as only four offensive linemen have popped up and all have been tackles.

To give you a taste of the quality of player remaining, here’s a look at the 50-41 rankings:

50. Eric Berry, S KC
49. Demaryius Thomas, WR DEN
48. Geno Atkins, DT CIN
47. NaVorro Bowman, LB SF
46. Frank Gore, RB SF
45. Haloti Ngata, DT BAL
44. Vincent Jackson, WR TB
43. Tamba Hali, DE KC
42. Muhammad Wilkerson, DL NYJ
41. Rob Gronkowski, TE NE

Victor Cruz sneaking in ahead of both Jackson and Thomas seems like a longshot occurrence. DRC on the other hand, coming off an elite coverage season in 2013, has a legit chance to hear his name called over the next four weeks. The composite NFL QB Rating when attacking Rodgers-Cromartie last season was 67.8. He earned a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 11.0 and is undeniably a top of the league CB.

Have any Giants been snubbed? What say you?