Final New York Giants 53-man roster prediction
by Ed Valentine on Sep 4, 2009 11:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintThe exhibition games are over. Final roster decisions have to made by Saturday. So, with the last round of cuts looming within the next 24 hours, let's make one final 53-man roster prediction for our New York Giants.
Let's see how close I get. I'm sure there will be some surprises, so I know this won't be perfect.
Quarterback (3)
Starter: Eli Manning
Backups: David Carr, Rhett Bomar
Cut: Andre Woodson
Woodson simply has not made enough progress from his rookie season to stay with the Giants. He was horrid Thursday night (6-for-19, with a Pick Six). He has completed just 18-of-46 passes in the pre-season (39.1%). Bomar's opportunities were limited, but I am giving him a roster spot based on his potential. The guy has a great arm, a presence and even though he threw an interception last night he ran the two-minute drill impressively. If they try to sneak him on to the practice squad I am almost certain he gets picked up by someone. The Giants will end up regretting that. So, he sneaks on to the 53-man.
Running Back (4)
Starters: Brandon Jacobs, Madison Hedgecock
Backups: Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware
Practice Squad Candidates: Allen Patrick
Cut: Dwayne Wright
Patrick showcased his speed Thursday night, and a willingness to pick up blitzers. He is intriguing enough to warrant a practice squad invite, I think.
Wide Receiver (7)
Starters: Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon
Backups: Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, Ramses Barden, Derek Hagan
Cut: David Tyree, Shaun Bodiford
Moss likely saved his roster spot with his impressive work Thursday night. Either that, or he gave GM Jerry Reese great ammo to trade him and get a late-round draft pick. Hagan sticks for now, but he might be the odd man out when linebacker Michael Boley returns from his suspension in Week 2.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Kevin Boss
Backups: Travis Beckum, Michael Matthews
Cut: Darcy Johnson
Matthews beats Johnson for the final tight end spot because he is an exceptional blocker. Boss and Beckum are pass-catchers first, so the third tight end needs to be a blocker. Besides, Matthews is also the backup fullback.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie
Backups: Tutan Reyes, Kevin Boothe, William Beatty, Adam Koets
Practice Squad Candidate: Cliff Louis
Cut: Orrin Thompson, Terrance Pennington, Guy Whimper
Koets is probably the bubble guy here. He could find himself cut if the Giants decide to grab a veteran lineman off waivers or decide they need an extra defensive lineman or defensive back.
Defensive Line (8)
Starters: Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield
Backups: Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, Mathias Kiwanuka, Maurice Evans
Practice Squad Candidates: Tommie Hill, Leger Douzable, Jeremy Clark
Cut: Dave Tollefson, Anthony Bryant, Robert Henderson
I really, really hate to see Tollefson go. He is a useful NFL player, and he will have a job somewhere by Sunday night. This is kind of like the Bomar decision. Evans has the potential to be a big-time performer if a team has the patience to develop him. With their line depth the Giants can afford to do it, and he is another guy they will someday regret losing if they let him slip away. One other note here. This could change based on Jay Alford's status. Mike Garafolo reports that the Giants should know later today if Alford will be healthy enough to play this season. If he is, maybe they try to get Evans to the practice squad.
Linebackers (8)
Starters: Antonio Pierce, Danny Clark, Chase Blackburn
Backups: Gerris Wilkinson, Clint Sintim, Bryan Kehl, Jonathan Goff, Zak DeOssie
One-Game Suspension: Michael Boley (does not count against Week 1 roster)
Cut: Kenny Ingram
The surprise for me Thursday night was seeing Blackburn start on the outside. I think the coaching staff loves his reliability, no matter where they put him.
Cornerbacks (5)
Starters: Corey Webster, Kevin Dockery
Backups: Terrell Thomas, Aaron Ross, Bruce Johnson
Practice Squad Candidate: DeAndre Wright
This would mean neither of the corners the Giants drafted -- Wright (6th round) and Stoney Woodson (7th) make the active roster. Woodson is already gone due to injury, and Wright has been outplayed by Johnson, an undrafted free agent.
Safeties (4)
Starters: Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson
Backups: C.C. Brown, Travonti Johnson
Practice Squad Candidate: Vince Anderson
Cut: Sha'reef Rashad
To me, the active roster spots are pretty obvious -- unless the Giants go out over the weekend and find an experienced safety to add to the mix. The interesting call will be which of the rookie free agents -- Anderson or Rashad -- is added to the practice squad. I like Rashad, but I think Anderson has the most upside because of his size, speed and athleticism.
Kickers (2)
Punter: Jeff Feagles
Placekicker: Lawrence Tynes
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Cannot argue with that
As Ed says the only question is whether someone like Moss or Hagan gets traded for a late round pick in 2010 and frees up another roster spot for a player cut by another team.
by G Fan in England on Sep 4, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
The surprise for me Thursday night was seeing Blackburn start on the outside. I think the coaching staff loves his reliability, no matter where they put him.
Chase started at WILL?
I thought Kehl did?
I think Chase did
Maybe it was the second series where I noticed him, but I think he was out there at the start.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 4, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
carrying 7 WR's...
I actually like the idea because we can kinda let Moss and Hagan battle for the last spot…
at the same time…will either of those two get enough looks to even fairly evaluate them come regular season?
I think JR should look into a possible trade. Both players will most certainly get a 2nd chance with an NFL team. Moss may actually have some trade value right now. I think it’s a great opportunity to grab a draft pick.
would love a trade
but it will be hard for JR to get something for guys he is going to cut.
Possible. Unlikely. But Moss, Wilkinson, Tollefson and maybe Clark could fetch a late draft pick if JR gets lucky
Danny Clark or Jeremy Clark?
B/c i think D. Clark is 1 year removed from being out of football all together and I don’t think any team would give us anything for him.
Wilkinson although he is finally healthy and still relatively young, I don’t think would be worth a draft pick.
That leaves you with (IMO) Moss, Hagan, and Tollefson.
Kiwi and Evans make Tolly expendable…now that doesn’t mean Kiwi is here long term (yet) but I think if you were going to keep someone around it would be Kiwi over Tollefson.
We have to be realistic, it’s great to have all these WR’s but you’re not going to be able to play them all. and than at the end of the year your in the same boat…all this potential talent but you don’t really know who can deliver?
I think we have to look to try to move Hagan or Moss…try to get a pick. Parlay that pick into a better pick and start bolstering this Oline.
As
I Don't Like Koets
Maybe they can trade one of the bubble players for a backup center.
Clark to be cut
or traded. That’s one long shot guess. If Sintim can do it or Blackburn can start for a game or two while he gets there then why keep Clark.
The second is Anderson stays and CC Brown gets cut. CC has looked awful.
Bomar? I think only two stay but if there is a third he is the one.
Hagen stays but both Tyree and Moss get cut.
Evans? Cannot argue with your logic. He could be a star. Tollefson will always be good not great.
I cannot stand Boothe but staff seems to like him so I guess he will stay. Agree Koets is on the bubble if Reyes can snap the ball.
LB starters Antonio Pierce, Danny Clark, Chase Blackburn? Prob correct but this is an uninspiring group. Hope by week four it is Boley, Sintim, AP.
But good assessment Ed.
totally agree
on Evans vs. Tollefson. Especially when you consider that Tollefson is getting serious minutes we’re in pretty big trouble as it is. Evans can defiantely be used on 3rd down it would seems right now.
If it were me...
I’d cut Clark yesterday…but knowing Coach C…he’ll be our starter.
He loves this guy…i think he drafted him too? but yeah, Clark ain’t going anywhere… as much as I would love to see him working at Jesse Armstead’s car dealership, he’s staying put for one more year.
Moss
I really have to revise my opinion of Moss. I was completely convinced he was too small to click with Eli, but the fact is, he produces whenever he’s on the field. It seems like he would be too small, but he makes the catches and gets the job done. And he had a big kick return. I wouldn’t be surprised at this point to see him stick instead of Hagan.
by hopeforthefuture3 on Sep 4, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions
Looks like a pretty good final 53 Ed ...
QB – I wouldn’t mind them going with 2 QB’s again, unless G-Men are really convinced that Bomar has elite talent to be developed, and couldn’t hide on the PS.
WR – 6 ought to be enough (how would # 6 & 7 get much action anyway ?) so if they can get something for Moss, trade him, otherwise Hagan may go, as Ed noted, when Boley comes back.
OL – Boothe scares me, and not in a good way. Hopefully some waiver wire action to replace him.
DL – Agree we want to keep Evans. He looks to have the upside. Is Canty really a back-up ? Hope we didn’t shell out $40+MM to get less snaps than Robbins and Cofield.
S – CC scares me like Boothe does. He’s looked putrid. Again, look for waiver wire help, and save the base salary.
I agree with others that it will be tough to get draft choices for Moss or Tollefson, but maybe JR can swing a trade or two with other teams that have guys they would be cutting where their strength is our need and vice versa. I would think Spags couse use Tollefson, and the Ravens or Jets would upgrade by adding Moss.
pretty logical
good assesment,ed.i can’t see clark sticking once boley’s suspension is over,think he’ll be cut after the skins game.he has been decidedly unimpressive since he arrived.
derek de pinho
If we cut Clark after Skins game ...
Wouldn’t he get his full 2009 salary as a “vested veteran” or something ?
If they’re leaning that way, the decision may have to come now. Actually, I would have no problem with doing it sooner.
Clark
Thing is, he is still starting. I know we as fans would not miss him, but I don’t think you go from starting to out on the street in a week.
Good assessment Ed..
But boy we sure are putting alot of talent out there for teams to snatch up!..I wish JR shopped some of these players earlier in camp..except guys like Moss who finally showed up Thursday with some game.
Clark...
let’s all remember that Clark starts at SAM…Not WILL. So Boley’s return is not really going to affect Clark at all.
The person who it’s going to affect is Kehl b/c Boley is an every down LB so look for Kehl to make a minor contribution this year.
My solution…cut Clark and move Kehl and Chase to SAM. Let them platoon at SAM until Sintim is ready to take over. Chase can still back up all three positions and Goff has made pretty big strides so far….he’ll need another year under AP but that’s fine.
Sadly, I agree w/ Ed, Clark is a the starter and coach loves him…he ain’t going anywhere this year.
What if
the Giants decided to consider Beckum a WR and keep three other tight ends – Boss, Matthews, Johnson? WRs would be Smith, Nicks, Barden, Manningham, Hixon (for his value as a returner more than as a WR) and either Moss or Hagan. I would keep Moss (unless I could get rel value in a trade) because he is the only real burner and he finally understands that he has to produce. Hagan is great in practice. The size of the WRs could create matchup problems.
One other comment – Zak DeOssie makes the team as a long snapper because of Alford’s injury, but I notice that he is no longer even tried as a starter or even a primary backup at any LB position. lThis is his third year, so what we see (or don’t see) is presumably what there is. The Giants are clearly no longer interested in him as a linebacker. Looking at the future, will the Giants be willing to carry a long snapper/special teams player who can’t develop into anything else?
This is an issue to me because the Giants are worried about depth at safety. They could consider carrying one more safety and one less linebacker – with the multi-DB sets in common use, the LBs are on the field less than any other group, so don’t really need eight of them – but with DeOssie they really only have seven.
Mickey C
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