Today the Giants released Punter Steve Weatherford in what looks like a salary cap casualty. The Giants save $2.2 million by letting their Super Bowl record setting punter go.
Weatherford came to the Giants in 2011 and did a damn good job for Big Blue. Over his 4 season with the G-Men Weatherford punted the ball 311 times for 14,413 yards, good for an average of 46.1 yards per punt.
Weatherford’s biggest contribution came in Super Bowl 46 as he set a record for pinning 3 punts inside the 10 yard line against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, on the way to the Giants second Super Bowl victory in 5 seasons.
Aug 9, 2015; Canton, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer (left) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Brad Wing during the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
To replace Weatherford the Giants traded a future late round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Brad Wing, a second year player out of LSU. Last season Wing booted the ball 61 times for a 43.7 yard average. He was regarded as the best punter coming out of college in 2013. Its always good to get young talent on the roster but Weatherford will be missed, both on the field and off it. Weatherford did a lot of charity work in the New York and New Jersey area and was a visible figure for the Giants. I wish him nothing but the best in his future ( except when he plays the Giants).
With the money the Giants save from cutting Weatherford they can hopefully go out and add a player who can help in the secondary or on the defensive line. The San Francisco 49ers just released defensive tackle Darnell Dockett who would be a welcome addition to any franchise. Hopefully the Giants put that cash to good use or Weatherford’s release would be a head scratcher.
The fact that the Giants are looking to save money is probably an indicator that a) they’re looking to bring in a player or two and b) they’re most likely going to keep defensive end Jason Pierre Paul despite his choice to ignore the Giants after his 4th of July accident.