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Good morning New York Giants fans! Here are your headlines for this Tuesday morning.
Waiver wire shopping
The first batch of roster cuts are officially due at 4 p/m. ET on Tuesday but teams have already begun the process of trimming down their rosters. The Giants were quick to strike by signing Stevie Brown as he came off a release by the Houston Texans. With the Giants' secondary depth being tested immediately, some recently cut players may be a source of reinforcement. Jordan Ranaan gives a look at two possible targets for Big Blue.
CB Tim Jennings (Bears) ‐ Chicago moved on from Jennings on Sunday. The Pro Bowl corner in 2012 and '13 could give the Giants much-needed veteran depth, if his knee (which needed surgery in the offseason) checks out.
S Phillip Thomas (Dolphins) ‐ He's a fourth-round pick by the Redskins several years back that has struggled with injuries. Miami picked him up several weeks back and waived him over the weekend. He could be worth a look.
The folks over at the Falcoholic believe that 2014 3rd round pick Dezmen Southward will be cut. Southward, a cornerback/safety hybrid is a raw but athletic prospect that has been bounced around at these positions during his rookie year.
The Oakland Raiders cut safety Jonathan Dowling after trying to trade him these past two days. He wasn't cut for poor play but for maturity issues.
For more roster cuts, visit the official NFL.com tracker.
Stevie Brown back at Giants practice
Stevie Brown was released so quickly from the Texans that he didn't even get to be shown on this year's Hard Knocks season. However this move can only help to add depth to an already depleted position. Let's take a look at Brown's first day back as a Giant.
When Brown wasn’t participating in team drills today, he was attached to the hip of safeties coach David Merritt, soaking in all the information he could after being released by the Texans on Saturday. With the regular season less than two weeks away and the preseason finale this Thursday in New England, Brown will do all he can to get back up to speed.
"They’re just talking about coming in and competing and being able to fit in where I can," Brown said of his potential role after playing from 2012-2014 with the Giants. "Definitely an opportunity."
Practice Squad analysis
While cracking the 53-man roster is always the goal, NFL life isn't quote over yet for those placed on the practice squad. Patricia Trainia gives her thoughts on who may be on this year's squad. Most notable on this list is running back Akeem Hunt who has looked explosive this preseason.
Where Hunt has really made a mark has been on special teams as a kickoff return specialist. There he’s returned six kickoffs for 195 yards, an average of 32.5 yards per carry. As he does on running plays, Hunt brings that combination of vision, acceleration and patience to special teams.
With the Giants pressed at certain positions as far as the numbers go and because of the presence of Dwayne Harris, who is projected to be the starting kickoff returner this year, Hunt is a luxury the team won’t be able to afford on the 53-man roster— though if New York can sneak him through to the practice squad, it wouldn’t be shocking if it does so.
Other Giants headlines
Charles James II vs @OBJ_3 In @EAMaddenNFL. On this week's #HardKnocks #Madden16 WATCH --> http://t.co/a5OAuyKNZa pic.twitter.com/ThPB4bH8Dz
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 31, 2015
Projecting the Giants’ 1st round of Roster Transactions | Inside Football
Giants rookie trying to not ‘over-think’ the camp process | Geremy Davis on the NY Post
Tom Coughlin Has Sober Appraisal of Giants’ Readiness | NY Times
With only two weeks until NFL season opens, Giants still unsure about who they are | NY Daily News
Around the league
Tight end Julius Thomas is in danger of missing the season opener.
Robert Griffin III is no longer the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins but he still has a future with the team according to head coach Jay Gruden.
Catch up with the Giants' mortal enemy in the Dallas Cowboys with 10 names you need to know.
Philly.com analyzes every Sam Bradford throw against the Green Bay Packers as he goes 10-10 with three touchdown passes.
Get caught up with the almost Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks and how they've looked this preseason.