So I figured I’d take a crack at the 53-man roster before the preseason games start up.   The guys on top and in bold are the locks, sure to make the roster, and the ones under are those fighting to make it.  The number at the bottom of each position is how many I think the Giants will carry. I left some guys out of the discussion. Sorry Ibrahim Abdulai, Craig Marshall, Darnell Burks, etc.

DL —Justin Tuck, Linval Joseph, Marvin Austin, Chris Canty, JPP, Mathias Kiwanuka

            -- Osi, Dave Tollefson, Rocky Bernard, Gabe Watson

(8)

            Depending on what happens with Osi, I don’t know if Tollefson makes the team.  He is a great special team guy who also contributes a lot for a backup on the D-Line.  Either Rocky or Gabe Watson will make the team to support our young DTs.

LBz—Michael Boley, Jon Goff, Clint Sintim

--Phillip Dillard, Greg Jones, Adrian Tracy, Mark Herzlich, Kenny Ingram, Jacquian Williams, Spencer Paysinger

(7)

            It looks pretty wide open.  Any of these guys can make the roster.  Personally I’d like to see Dillard, Jones, Tracy, and Herzlich make it.  but Kenny Ingram has apparently done pretty well in camp and I think Williams was drafted to play special teams, so Lbs should be interesting to watch in preseason.

Corners—C Web, TT, Aaron Ross, Prince,

            -- Michael Coe, Brian Witherspoon

(5)

            Until recently I thought Bruce Johnson would have definitely made the team, but he blew out his Achilles. Also there’s the bad news recently about Prince, but I think he could contribute by mid season.  I think Prince goes on IR on the regular season, so Michael Coe and Witherspoon (who has been making plays in camp) could both make the team and be moved around later on.  Both are good special teamers, Witherspoon being a return option, and Coe as a gunner/coverage teams.

Safetys—Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips, Tyler Sash,

  --Cary Harris, Jerrard Tarrant, Brian Jackson, David Sims,

(4)

            Tyler Sash had reps with the 1st team the other day.  Pretty good for a 6th rounder with no OTAs or Minicamps.  The last safety spot is wide open as far as I can tell.  We should resign Deon Grant. 

 OL—Tackles- Kareem McKenzie, Will Beatty, James Brewer, Stacey Andrews

            Guards- David Diehl, Chris Snee, Mitch Petrus, Kevin Boothe

            Centers- David Baas, Adam Koets

(10)

            Pretty sure all these guys will make it. Maybe Andrews is replaced by Jamon Meredith or Jarriel King.

WRs—Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon, Victor Cruz, Jerrel Jerrigan, Ramses Barden

            --Steve Smith, Devin Thomas, Darius Reynaud, Michael Clayton

(8)

            Steve Smith is a question because he is still rehabbing and he’s a free agent. My guess is he comes back and is put on IR, leaving two spots for either Thomas, Reynaud and Clayton until SS12 is ready to play. Thomas is a great gunner and has value on special teams, while Reynaud is god-awful as a returner but I read that he’s been receiving pretty well so maybe he gets a spot.  If not Clayton could play.  Derek Hagan was finally making waves last year, too bad he’s in Oakland with Bossman.  Lets see who steps up in the next couple weeks.

TEs—Travis Beckum, Bear Pascoe

            --Jake Ballard

(2)

            Unlike some people out there, I’m really excited to see what happens with our tight end situation.  I was a huge fan of K Boss, and it sucks he gone, but I have wanted to see Beckum get more time and play more of a TE or H-Back role rather than slot receiver.  Maybe he can’t block DEs solo like Boss but at  240 he’s probably capable of chipping people or helping Bradshaw pickup a blitz.  Not to mention he could easily block on the next level down the field.  I’m calling it now, he will be our Dallas Clark.  Then big Bear Pascoe I think he makes the team on his versatility.  Jake Ballard to practice squad. 

RBs—Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs

            -- D.J. Ware, Da’Rel Scott, Andre Brown, Charles Scott

(3)

            I don’t think D.J. Ware  is anything special, but the other three all have specific talents that could add to our running game.  Our fourth rounder from a couple years ago Andre Brown is back and healthy, and apparently cutting the field up.  Da’Rel has f***ed up speed.  And Charles Scott is a good power back and would fit in nicely somewhere in between 27 & 44.  Another position to watch in preseason. 

Fullback—Henry Hynoski

            -- Bear Pascoe

(1)

This guy will be the starter.  He can run and catch the ball well, and is a beast blocking.  And if he can’t make it in the pros then the proven Big Bear is already on the roster and did a real nice job last year filling in.

QBs—Eli Manning, David Carr

            --Sage Rosenfels, Ryan Perrilloux

(2)

            Some people have said the giants might carry three this year.  I don’t think so.  I think Carr beats out Rosenfels, then somebody will sign him to be their back up, and we’re left with Perrilloux has a guy to develop and run the practice squad.  Perrilloux is a really interesting talent, while there are 30 Sage Rosenfels in this league.

P—Steve Weatherford

            --Matt Dodge

(1)

            Matt should pack his bags right now.

K—Lawrence Tynes

(1)

LS—Zak DeOssie

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