New York Giants: Live tracking roster cuts for GMen HQ
By Curt Macysyn
Saturday is NFL roster cutdown for teams. It will not likely be the final cut, as roster manipulation will still take place.
Here’s what we know so far about the New York Giants. We are sure to give credit to the source where we found the information. While the 53-man roster has been set, there could be additional moves to upgrade positions. Specifically, I would key an eye on the offensive line.
SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reports that Calvin Munson, Tavarres King and Roger Lewis have made the roster. Hopefully King has recovered from ankle problems.
Dan Duggan tweets that tight end Matt LaCosse has made the squad, as well as fullback Shane Smith. GMen HQ predicted that both would.
The official Pittsburgh Steelers Twitter account indicates that cornerback Ross Cockrell has been traded to the Giants. Previously, GMen HQ indicated that one of the cornerbacks was going to be TBA, so here this would be that transaction.
Cornerback Michael Hunter appears to be healthy (concussion) enough to roster, so Donte Deayon was waived. Deayon became a fan favorite. On Saturday, NJ Advance Media’s Dan Duggan also reported that the Giants will keep kicker Aldrick Rosas. Veteran kicker Mike Nugent was released.
Duggan also reports that OL Chad Wheeler has made the squad. It would seem that the final roster decision came down to Adam Bisnowaty versus D.J. Fluker. Fluker won out.
As of 5:00 p.m. (ET) of Saturday, the New York Giants have made 37 roster moves over the past two days. They are officially be down to the 53-man roster.
All these moves have been confirmed by a statement the official Giants website.
Saturday’s Activity
Donte Deayon – Cornerback (Waived) James Kratch tweeted that the diminutive Deayon has been waived. He became a victim of a numbers game when Cockrell was acquired from Steelers. He could go to practice squad if he clears waivers.
Adam Bisnowaty – Offensive Line (Waived) SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reports that the rookie sixth-round pick has been waived. This likely was the final roster decision with Bisnowaty losing out to D.J. Fluker.
Mark Herzlich – Linebacker (Injured Reserve: stinger) James Kratch of NJ Advance Media tweets that veteran Herzlich has been placed on injured reserve. The stinger issue kept him out for a better part of a month.
Shaun Draughn – Running Back (Released) James Kratch also reports that the veteran running back was released. He missed most of training camp.
Jon Halapio – Offensive Lineman (Waived) NJ Advance Media’s Dan Duggan reports that Halapio has been waived. Versatile lineman was previously on the practice squad.
Jacob Huesman – Fullback (Waived) Dan Duggan tweets that Huesman has been waived. This is not surprising, but expect him to be signed to practice squad. Hopefully, New York Giants go all-in on pro set offense.
Trey Robinson – Safety (Waived) Dan Duggan is reporting that Robinson has been waived. Maybe this is being released because there was a debate about Nat Berhe. Expect him to be a strong candidate for practice squad.
Deontae Skinner – Linebacker (Waived) This should not be a surprise. Dan Duggan reports that the G-Men have released the linebacker. Calvin Munson and Curtis Grant appeared to outplay him during camp.
Josh Johnson – Quarterback (Released) NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Johnson will be released, paving the way for Geno Smith to be the Giants back-up. Johnson hadn’t thrown a pass in an NFL regular season game since 2011.
Will Tye – Tight End (Released) Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports that tight end Will Tye will be released. GMen HQ predicted that Giants would keep Matt LaCosse as one of four tight ends.
Mike Nugent – Kicker (Released) SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reports that Nugent will be released. Thought there might be a trade possibility our there, but obviously not. Earlier we reported that Aldrick Rosas had won kicking job per Dan Duggan.
Devin Taylor – Defensive End (Released) This was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Probably the right move for the New York Giants, as the guys they are keeping are younger and maybe more solid all-around players.
Travis Rudolph – Wide Receiver (Waived) Reported by SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, this would be the first surprise of the day. GMenHQ and Vacchiano point out he may not clear waivers to go on practice squad. Jets anyone?
Jordan Williams – Defensive End (Waived) NJ Advance Media’s Dan Duggan reports that Williams will be waived. With Taylor being released earlier, the thought was that Williams would stick. A couple different thoughts occur: Keenan Robinson won’t be placed on IR, or the Giants keep Chad Wheeler and nine offensive linemen.
Jerome Lane – Wide Receiver (Waived) SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reports that the undrafted free agent will be waived. Had one catch for 19 yards in preseason final, but overall not enough to warrant a roster spot.
Stansly Maponga – Linebacker (Waived) Per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Maponga converted from DE to LB this summer and still couldn’t make the squad. I don’t see a practice squad return.
Bobby Richardson – Defensive Tackle (Released) Reported by NJ Advance Media, Richardson was outplayed by the others in the rotation. I expect the New York Giants to keep four DTs.
Josh Banks- Defensive Tackle (Injured Reserve: shoulder) SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano first reported this move. Banks likely would not have made the roster, so now he gets to rehab with the team. It would seem to me to be a long shot to return this season.
Dan Duggan reports that Banks tore his labrum in preseason final.
Curtis Grant – Linebacker (Waived) ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that Grant will be waived. This is likely good news for both rookie Calvin Munson and veteran J.T. Thomas. Grant looks to be a solid practice squad candidate. Mark Herzlich may end up on injured reserve.
Caanan Severin – Wide Receiver (Waived) NJ Advance Media’s Dan Duggan reports that that Severin has been waived. He was a late addition to the roster. He had three catches on five targets in the preseason final. Did he show enough to warrant a practice squad spot?
Ryan Murphy – Safety (Waived) Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reported that the rookie safety was waived. He need some seasoning and could be a practice squad candidate.
Matt Rotheram – Offensive Lineman (Released) NJ Advance is reports that Rotheram has been released, which is not a surprise.
Khalid Abdullah – Running Back (Waived) NJ Advance Media’s Dan Duggan reports that rookie running back has been waived. Practice squad usually has a running back, so he’s a candidate.
Nigel Tribune – Cornerback (Waived) Duggan also reports that Tribune has been waived by the Giants. Tribune has two tackles in Thursday’s win, but struggled in coverage. Duggan thinks he may be a practice squad candidate.
Jarron Jones – Offensive Lineman (Waived) Duggan also reports that Jones will be waived. The Giants apparently liked what they saw, so a practice squad opportunity may be in his future.
DaShaun Amos – Cornerback (Waived) Duggan also reports that Amos has been waived. He sees him as a practice squad candidate, we do not. He assisted on two tackles on Thursday.
Ed Eagan – Wide Receiver (Waived) James Kratch reports that Eagan has been waived. He was a late signee, but may have a practice squad opportunity if Rudolph doesn’t make it through waivers.
Marquis Bundy – Wide Receiver (Waived) Per the New York Giants, the rookie receiver was waived.
Friday’s Activity (All per Giants.com)
Duke Ihenacho – Safety (Injured Reserve: Knee) Not a surprise since he wasn’t making the roster. We don’t know the severity of the knee injury, but he doesn’t seem to need surgery.
Eric Pinkins – Safety (Waived) In some circles, this was a surprise. GMen HQ predicted he would get cut. Just doesn’t have enough coverage skills. Giants have tried to develop him as their hybrid safety/linebacker. The hybrid idea is losing steam around the league.
New York Giants
Chris Cashner – Linebacker (Waived) Signed on Aug. 14th, plenty of LB options in front of him. Doubtful for practice squad.
Steven Daniels – Linebacker (Waived) Signed on Aug. 15th, exact same boat as Cashner.
Tay Glover-Wright – Cornerback (Waived) Signed on Aug. 27th after being cut by Philadelphia Eagles. Struggled against the New England Patriots. Don’t see him as a practice squad candidate.
Tim Scott – Cornerback (Waived) Scott was also signed late (Aug. 24th) and may have been the best of the late signees. He had five tackles and a pass defense (should have been an interception) against the Pats. I can see a practice squad future with the purpose of a position change to safety.
Daniel Gray – Cornerback Another late signee (Aug. 28th) to buttress the secondary. Gray did have two tackles and a pass defense on Thursday.
C.J. Germany – Wide Receiver (Waived) Signed on Aug. 23rd for depth purposes. No catches on two targets on Thursday, and that’s not the way to get noticed. Didn’t see anything that indicated the practice squad was in his future.
Richard Levy – Offensive Lineman (Waived) Signed on Aug. 23rd, he was simply a rotational body for the final preseason game.