NFL training camps have begun, and with them come roster cut downs. There were some major surprises in the latest projection of the New York Giants’ final roster.
(Photo Credit: bleedbigblue.com)
The following article has been culled from my New York Giants team coverage at Pro Football Spot.
With training camp [just underway], the New York Giants will begin to cut down their roster to approach the 53-man limit. A number of positions are immensely interesting in terms of who will make the final cut. With ESPN’s latest projection of the Giants’ active roster, we saw a number of surprises in that regard.
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There are a ton of no-duh players who will make the team for New York. It isn’t interesting or noteworthy to see Evan Engram or Davis Webb make the cut. However, there were a few names that really stood out for being among the final group, as well as names that were alarmingly absent.
Surprise Inclusions
- Five tailbacks, including both Orleans Darkwa and Shaun Draughn
It seemed more than likely that the team would only employ four backs, with Darkwa and Draughn battling for that fourth spot. Instead, here we see all five runners make the squad.
- Fullback Shane Smith
Who? Why? Isn’t this what Rhett Ellison is for, to play some combo h-back and save a roster spot for something more important?
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Surprise Releases
- Tight End Will Tye
It isn’t really that big of a surprise to see Tye on the list. In actuality, the final roster will include either him or Matt LaCosse but not both. LaCosse has a better all-around game if he’s healthy. Hopefully the team can find a trade partner for Tye, though, and not lose him for nothing. He is still a useful NFL player for a team that doesn’t have Evan Engram and Jerell Adams.
- Defensive Tackle Robert Thomas
After learning that Thomas was the early front runner to start at defensive tackle alongside Damon Harrison, it feels surprising to see him fail to make the team at all. Of course, on purely face value, the announcement that Thomas was the front runner in the first place was probably more surprising. It is now just the timing that leads to our being perplexed.
- Linebacker J.T. Thomas
It’s not that Thomas deserves to make the team over any of the five linebackers chosen. Instead, it feels like New York should find a spot for a sixth linebacker. This is where the selection of a fullback feels misguided, for example. The same goes for a fifth member of a talented group of safeties, though no specific cut from that position stands out as surprising.
Todd Salem is a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also the New York Giants Lead Writer at Pro Football Spot, a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone, and a Featured Columnist at College Sports Madness, among others. Follow him on Twitter.
Additional New York Giants photo courtesy of newsday.com
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