-The biggest and most shocking cut to me was the cut of former fourth round pick Andre Brown. I was for sure that Brown would be the Giants third running back and that with Darius Reynaud that the Giants would cut both Gartell Johnson and D.J. Ware. The only thing Ican think is that the Giants thought that maybe Brown’s turf toe would scare other teams away (that can be a season long nagging injury)

-Another suprise cut was Derek Hagan. For those of you clamoring about this one from what I’ve read Tom Coughlin believed Hagan’s preformance on gunner duties had diminished this off-season. Also Coughlin believes that with Dodge’s big leg that the Giants need faster gunners to run down with Dodge’s punts.

-It’s exciting that Victor Cruz and Duke Calouhn both made the roster, but now if Manningham or Nicks (or Smith) goes down the WR depth becomes questionable.

-On the Travis Beckum issue. I’ve seen a lot of people complaining why did they keep Beckum and cut Bear Pascoe (a player that is now on the practice squad). Why they would do that. I understand the sentiment for Pascoe he’s a hard worker he blocks and he was actually on the field during training camp. But good blocking tight ends with average receiving skills are a dime a dozen and players with Beckum’s talent and potential are few and far between. Maybe Beckum won’t become anything, but you can’t give up on that talent yet.

-Keeping two tight ends is risky though, but I bet that the Giants plan on using Hedgecock and other OL as Blocking tight ends in short yardage situations.

-I don’t like the Jets. Just a statement.

-I am still nervous about the cornerback depth and I’m surprised the Giants haven’t signed another veteran cornerback yet.

-The Giants added Chad Scott Running back out of LSU as their last practice squad member.

-I’m thinking of doing a new series called “2011 Madden Season Series” where I’ll do a franchise mode and simulate the games and post the results here. Just an idea. We’ll see what happens.

-My season predictons will come soon, but I’m going to say that I feel less confident about the Giants than I did prior to last season when I bought into the hype.

They have also added seven players to the practice squad, they are QB Rhett Bomar, DT Nate Collins, CB Seth Williams, OL Jim Cordle, TEs Bear Pascoe and Jake Ballard, and S Sha’reff Rashad.

There is still room for one more player on the practice squad and look for the Giants to fill that spot soon.

I’m going to take the time later to look through and see what veteran CB were cut the Giants could pick up.

Karl Paymah, Nathan Vasher are two I know of.  Jacques Reeves is another.

Pat White was also waived (interesting)

** It needs to be 24, not 22 because Reynaud and Rosenfels have passed their physicals. **

1. DT Dwayne Hendricks
2. OL Dennis Landolt - Landolt was courted by the Giants’ after he wen’t undrafted. The Giants’ won a bidding war for him, offering a decent signing bonus for an UDFA. He could very well be a practice squad guy if he doesn’t get claimed by one of the teams who lost out on him earlier this year.
3. OL Jim Cordle
4. DE Tommie Hill - Hill’s a candidate to stick on the Practice Squad. However, he wasn’t put on the practice squad last year, so why would he be put on it this year?
5. TE Scott Chandler
6. TE Bear Pascoe - The first surprising cut of the day. The Giants’ will likely carry three tight ends. They will probably hit the wavier wire and get another guy.
7. S John Busing
8. WR Tim Brown - Tiny Tim Brown has potential, but he didn’t emerge as a PR/KR liked they would have hoped he would have. Brown is a candidate for the practice squad, but he could get claimed, too.
9. RB Gartrell Johnson - It was between him and D.J. Ware. Johnson doesn’t add any value on special teams like Ware does. That’s like the reason he was cut. Brown’s turf toe injury didn’t help him much, as it’s not very serious. Brown could be back for opening day.
10. QB Dominic Randolph
11. OL Jacob Bender
12. QB Rhett Bomar - Very shocked on this one, I thought they’d keep three, but the Giants’ don’t like to keep three. He is eligible to be on the practice squad if he clear’s waivers.
13. WR Derek Hagan - The third and largest shocker of the day. I assumed — and most did — that Hagan would be on the roster and possibly even get time this season. It appears maybe Victor Cruz and even Duke Calhoun could both make the roster.
14. DE Alex Hall - The Giants claimed him off waivers from the Eagles in the beginning of the summer, but not a shocker here. He was “waived/injured.”
15. DT Nate Collins – I like Collins a lot, I hope he sticks on the Practice Squad, but it wouldn’t shock me if another team puts a claim on him.
16. FB Jerome Johnson
17. DT Jay Alford - This came as a bit of surprise, but not really. Alford was on the buble. Hurt last year, hurt in camp. I thought he’d make the roster because of his almost sack in the Patriots game. He got solid pressure on the QB.
18. OL Guy Whimper – The Giants’ were trying to trade him, but it seems the couldn’t find a trading partner, or a decent trade, I guess. Just six more to go.
19. OL Herb Taylor - The Giants’ claimed him off waivers from the Broncos this year. Guess he wasn’t good enough to make the 53-man roster.
20. CB Courtney Brown (ankle) to IR - Scratch what I said earlier. He was waived/injured.
21. RB Andre Brown – WOW! That’s the biggest shocker of the day. I’m not sure if it’s his turf toe, or they feel secure with Ware. He is eligible to make the practice squad, but one would assume he’ll get picked up.
22. S Sha’reff Rashad
23. CB Seth Williams
24. S Matt O’Hanlon

That’s it there you have it. 24 cut. The New York Football Giants are now at 53 players.

Interesting Player to Keep an Eye On:

Rhys Lloyd the kick off specialist who the Giants’ courted hard this summer was released by the Minnesota Vikings. Not sure if the Giants’ are still interested, but they could come calling. Tynes has had a great summer, possibly easing the Giants’ concerns with him kicking off, but time will tell. The Panthers will likely be interested in Lloyd’s again, as he kicked for them last season. They too lost out on his services, however they could re-sign him again.

Giants now on Cruz Control.

Victor Cruz has been informed he has made the 53-man roster.

*** WR Duke Calhoun has also made the roster, as does CB D.J. Johnson and veteran DE Dave Tollefson ***

Interesting Note:

The Giants’ apparently didn’t like MattLeinart, according to sources, which is why they didn’t really pursure him hard. However, if they waited till he was released – - which he was — they could have signed him to be their backup. They also could have signed CB Nathan Vasher whose a F/A now after being cut. They could have had their KR/PR and backup QB without trading a 2011 5th round pick and a conditional 2012 pick. Reese loves his pick’s. Former 5th round picks include Kevin Boss, David Diehl and Jon Goff. The Giants’ could trade a player later and get that pick back.

Source Mike Garafolo/www.nj.com

The biggest surprise by far is Bear Pascoe.  He is eligible to land on the practice squad if he clears waivers and I’m sure the Giants will do that if he clears.

Not a lot of carries, but he averaged 15.4 yards per carry in his junior year and 9.4 yards per carry his senior year.

He’s 5-9 probably a buck 185.

CBS draft scout report says ”

A talented and speedy open-field runner, Reynaud is actually a running back disguised as a receiver. But whether carrying, catching or returning the ball, he has put up impressive numbers. ANTWAN RANDLE EL-Washington … Actually, he’s more of a cross between Randle El and Chad Morton, a former Redskin and Giant. He has the quick burst in the short area like Randle El, but is a stronger runner with the ball in his hands. He seems to be more comfortable running and returning the ball than catching it, but he is starting to develop that receiver’s mentality. For a team that uses the sub package and multiple receiver sets, he could be a nice fit. Still, he will need a patient coach to teach him everything on how to run, catch and think like a receiver, first.”

And from big blue view via a Vikings blogger (I think blogger?) From the Daily Norseman

honestly think that the Vikings tried to find a spot for Reynaud any way that they could, but he just didn’t distinguish himself in the way he needed to to secure a roster spot.  In his first two years with the Vikings, he was listed as a WR, though he didn’t actually have any catches during the regular season, and was shifted to running back this year when it appeared that the Vikings’ WR depth chart was getting crowded.

“Reynaud is a pretty good return man . . .his main issue is staying healthy, and he’s had a case of the fumbles more than once.  If he can stay healthy, he’ll be a very good return man for the Giants.  He’s missed games in both of his first two seasons with injuries, but he’s very fast and has good moves in the open field.  I guess he was just the odd man out of the running back battle that was taking place in Minnesota.”

What it means for the Giants

I think it means that Victor Cruz and Derek Hagan will make the team.

But that it pushes D.J. Ware and Gartrell Johnson off the team.

I think Reynanud will become the fourth “running back” behind Bradshaw, Jacobs, and Brown.

I think that also means that the Giants can KEEP Cruz and not worry about trying to fit a Return man as the sixth Wide Receiver. Derek Hagan is a good special teams player so he can be the WR special teams player.

The Sage Rosenfels deal is ok. Kind of interesting. Not what I think the Giants would look for in a veteran backup, really.

Here’s what I’ll say about Rosenfels and I think this is why the Giants wanted him.

 A lot of backup QB can come in and not lose games, but Rosenfels has enough ability to come in and actually WIN games (not a ton). But if Eli missed four games Rosenfels could go 3-1 (vs inferior or comparable teams).

He makes bone head plays, but he makes big plays. He’s not a Trent Dilfer ball security kind of guy. He makes more plays than a typical backup QB, but he makes more negative plays too.

It kind of suprises me actually.

Thoughts?

Thoughts on the final 53 man roster (well, your predictions).

Have a nice day, everyone.

QB: Eli Manning, Sage Rosenfels, Rhett Bomar (3) - The Giants’ usually keep two quarterbacks, but Bomar showed potential. He would most likely get claimed by another team, so he sticks. It will be interesting to see if Sorgi is still in their plans net year. He did sign a 1 year deal, but he could still be. You never know, Rosenfels could end up being trade bait next year, who knows.

RB: Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Andre Brown, D.J. Ware (4) – Gartrell Johnson ends up being a victim of the numbers game. Kid has talent, he’ll likely be picked up by another team in search of a fourth back.

FB: Madison Hedgecock (1) – Pretty self-explanatory here. Hedgecock will be their only FB carried on the roster.

WR: Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Derek Hagan, Ramses Barden, Duke Calhoun (6) – The first five are pretty much guarantees, the 6th slot is usually for a special team’s guy. I think shockingly, Cruz doesn’t make the roster. I love the kid. He can run, catch, make moves and has a big heart. But he just isn’t good enough right now on special teams yet to make the cut. It’s 50/50 right now and I bet you their debating this one the most.

TE: Kevin Boss, Travis Beckum Bear Pascoe (3) – I think Chandler gets beat out by Bear Pascoe, he’s a better blocker and has been healthy all camp. Chandler may have more catching ability, but in the end, the more reliable guy wins the slot. Pascoe’s it is.

OL: Chris Snee, Shaun O’Hara, David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, Rich Seubert, Adam Koets, William Beatty, Shawn Andrews , Mitch Petrus (9) – Dennis Landolt falls victim to the numbers game. The UDFA was a hot player when he hit the market, he will likely get claimed by another team. With O’Hara hurt, they need a backup Center and Koets can do that.

DL: Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Dave Tollefson, Jason Pierre-Paul, Chris Canty, Barry Cofield, Linval Joseph, Rocky Bernard, Jay Alford (9) - Nothing really shocking hear, all the guys you’d expect make the roster. Nate Collins and Tommie Hill could be practice squad guys, but I don’t think Collins will stick on the practice squad, he get’s claimed. Tollefson makes the cut, too.

LB: Michael Boley, Clint Sintim, Keith Bulluck, Joh Goff, Bryan Kehl, Phillip Dillard, Chase Blackburn, (8) – Wilkinson falls victim to the numbers game. He get’s hurt to much. He showed value in coverage, but he just doesn’t make the cut. Kehl secured his spot with an impressive performance against the Patriots. If Wilkinson was healthy this camp, he likely would have made the roster.

DB: Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson, Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips, Deon Grant (7) - The usual here, Brown and Williams get cut, Williams may stick on the practice squad. Rashard falls victim to the numbers game once again. Shockingly Johnson get’s cut, too. — My math was off by one, so I had to cut one, it’s Johnson.

K: Lawrence Tynes (1) – Pretty simple here.

P: Matt Dodge (1) – Another solid performance secured his spot on the roster. Come wavier time, the Giants’ won’t be looking.

LS: Zak DeOssie (1) – No longer a linebacker, he get’s his own spot!

KR/PR: Darius Reynaud (1) – The recently acquired RB/KR/PR will likely end up being the KR/PR come opening day.

Several reports say RB Darius Reynaud also goes to the Giants with QB Sage Rosenfels. He could be a factor as a return man.

Source: Ralph Vacchiano

Giants’ gave a 2011 5th round pick and a 2012 conditional pick.

** Bold is the updated part. **

A source told FOXSports.com that Minnesota has traded quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the Giants. The compensation was not immediately available.

Better than Leinart… What are your thoughts?

The New York Giants’ have acquired QB Sage Rosenfels from the Minnesota Vikings for a conditional draft pick.

Source: Mike Garafolo

Obviously this was coming. Rhett Bomar isn’t the answer. If you scroll down the screen you’ll see I listed his name as one of the players the Giants’ were looking at. Rosenfels has live game experience and has been a starter in the NFL, something the Giants’ wanted in their backup. Bomar may not make the roster now, as the Giants have a history of keeping two QB’s on their roster. Rosenfels doesn’t know the Giants complex system, so that may work to Bomar’s advantage. My gut feeling is Bomar makes the roster, but time will tell. Reese needed to make a move, and he likely did it for a late round draft pick, as it’s a conditional pick. I had a feeling he’d have to cough up a pick, something he’s always been hesitant to do, but it was necessary.

The 32 year old is a 10 year veteran, has played for 4 teams, not including the Giants. His best season came when he started in 2007 for the Houston Texans. In those nine games he threw 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.