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7:16 p.m.: Updated with quotes, analysis
The New York Giants trimmed their roster from 90 players to the league-mandated 75-man limit Tuesday afternoon. The most recognizable name to be let go was offensive lineman Brandon Mosley, a fourth-round draft choice in 2012. Also let go was offensive lineman Eric Herman, a 2013 seventh-round pick.
Steve Weatherford will once again be the Giants' punter as Robert Malone was also released on Tuesday. At least he will be for now. Head coach Tom Coughlin did not exactly issue a vote of confidence in Weatherford on Tuesday.
"You know what we're always after is directional, hang time, distance, location, hang, and the opportunity to put us in the best position from a coverage standpoint. Basically for me, it's always been put it outside the numbers," Coughlin said. "He's been off and on. He's had some good ones and he's had some that aren't so good."
Defensive backs Bennett Jackson (torn ACL) and Josh Gordy (hip) were placed on injured reserve. Offensive lineman Will Beatty was placed on PUP, meaning he will miss at least the first six games of the regular season.
Veteran wide receiver Juron Criner was also released.
The rest of the cuts were as follows:
RB Akeem Hunt (waived injured/hamstring); WR Derrick Johnson; TE Will Tye; OL Michael Bamiro; DE Jordan Stanton; DT Jimmy Staten; S Justin Halley.
Mosley had opportunities in each of the past three seasons. He broke his hand in his first and only start late in the 2013 season. He had an opportunity to win the right guard spot last season, but a back injury derailed him. He was in competition for the right tackle job this season until back issues once again foiled his effort.
Herman, a punishing run-blocker, spent most of the past two seasons on the practice squad. He was undone by an inability to learn to pass block adequately.
Cutting both of those two linemen is an illustration of the Giants' inability for several seasons to hit on several attempts to draft and develop offensive linemen in the late rounds. Matt McCants (Round 6, 2012) and Mitch Petrus (Round 5, 2010) were other failures.
A quick note about Hunt. Because he received the "waived/injured" designation, he will not be eligible to be added to the Giants' practice squad right away. That is unfortunate as he showed some play-making ability as a kickoff returner.
NFL teams have to reach the 53-man regular season roster limit by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5. Ten-man practice squads can be formed on Sunday, Sept. 5.