The New York Giants officially announced their roster moves this evening, and one name that had not been mentioned as a probable cut was on the list of players let go. Fullback Madison Hedgecock, all but forgotten about after injuries limited him to just four games a season ago, was one of five players from the active roster released by the Giants.
As had been widely reported earlier in the week the Giants also officially announced that center Shaun O'Hara, guard Rich Seubert and offensive lineman Shawn Andrews.
The Giants also officially parted ways with Tiki Barber, releasing the former Giant who is trying to make a comeback from the reserve/retired list. Barber retired from football following the 2006 season.
Parting with Seubert and O'Hara -- who played in a combined 215 regular season and postseason games for the Giants and were part of the Super Bowl-winning team -- is particularly difficult.
"Rich and Shaun have been two great New York Giants," said General Manager Jerry Reese. "Both of them are good people, hard workers and have been warriors on game day."
Coach Tom Coughlin was particularly emotional about letting the two veteran linemen go.
"I love those two guys," Coughlin said. "Both will go down in Giants history. They are two unique, highly competitive personalities who were superior in the locker room. Rich has the ability to stir it up, and Shaun has a great ability to counter Rich. They are great friends, but there have been times when they got going, that it nearly ended up in a fight. They are two men with unique and different abilities, but as an offensive line, you have to operate as one, and these two guys are the most competitive, tough and efficient players as I have ever had the honor and privilege to coach. They both will be missed around here."
Andrews played in 13 games for the Giants last season.
Undrafted Free Agents Signings
The Giants also officially announced the signings of 10 undrafted free agents. Here is the list:
- Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
- Justin Trattou, DE, Florida
- Craig Marshall, DE, South Florida
- Martin Parker, DT, Richmond (profile)
- Ibrahim Abdulai, DT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Jerrard Tarrant, S, Georgia Tech
- David Sims, S, Iowa State
- Spencer Paysinger, LB, Oregon (profile)
- Jarriel King, OT, South Carolina (profile)
- Henry Hynoski, FB, Pittsburgh