The New York Giants are ready for opening night on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well they at least trimmed the roster down to 53.
Were there surprises? ..Of Course!!
The cut list included two quarterbacks (Cooper Rush and Alex Tanney), two players from the Giants’ 2019 draft class (inside linebacker Ryan Connelly and defensive tackle Chris Slayton) and one from the 2020 class (cornerback Chris Williamson).
Also released were wide receivers Johnny Holton, Alex Bachman, Derrick Dillon, Austin Mack, and Binjimen Victor; running back Tavien Feaster; tight ends Eric Tomlinson and Garrett Dickerson; offensive linemen Jon Halapio, Eric Smith, Tyler Haycraft and Kyle Murphy; defensive linemen Daylon Mack and Niko Lalos; linebacker Josiah Tauaefa; defensive backs Grant Haley, Montre Hartage, Brandon Williams, Dravon Askew-Henry, KeiVarae Russell, Jarren Williams and Prince Smith, Jr.; and long snapper Carson Tinker.
Center Jon Halapio who has been a staple to the offensive line over the last three years has been release only days after he resigned. Halapio recovered from last year’s season ending surgery and was bought back to see his progress.
With the roster set at 53, the Giants look to set their practice squad over the next few days.
Linebacker David Mayo and rookie safety Xavier McKinney are candidates for the injured reserve list, from which they would be eligible to return after missing a minimum of three games.
The surprise from me was the cut of Ryan Connelly who was a fifth-round draft choice in 2019 whose promising rookie season was cut short by injury.
He played in the first four games, including starts in each of his three games but suffered a torn ACL vs. Washington on Sept. 29, underwent surgery and missed the rest of the season.
He had a promising start which he will have to try and continue else where in the NFL to try and continue to build on.
The Giants will continue to prepare for Pittsburgh next Monday on ESPN. No fans in the stands for this one but will be available on all platforms from the world wide leader.
Alex Tanney was with the Giants the previous two seasons and became a footnote in franchise history in his only appearance, when he relieved Eli Manning in his final game, on Dec. 15 vs. Miami.
The newcomers awarded to the team off waivers are defensive back Adrian Colbert and tackle Jackson Barton, both from the Kansas City Chiefs, and wide receiver Damion Ratley, from the Cleveland Browns.
To make room on the roster, the Giants released wide receiver Corey Coleman and offensive lineman Chade Slade and waived safety Sean Chandler.
