Wade, King Moving In On New York Giants' Roster Spots
The New York Football Giants played the New England Patriots in the final preseason game of 2016. The fourth preseason game has become an afterthought as many teams rest their starters. Before putting the preseason into mothballs, let’s take a look at who is moving in on a roster spot, and who may be moving on out.
Moving On Up
Tavarres King seemed to separate himself from the rest of the pack of players not named Sterling Shepard, Dwayne Harris, Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham last week. According to Newsday on Aug. 28, 2016, scoring a touchdown was uncharted territory for the former practice squad player.
“King, who had not scored a touchdown since college despite 14 previous preseason games and the two regular-season ones, said it was ‘indescribable’ to catch not just one but two on Saturday.”
Having a breakout preseason game helps, but following that up with another strong game gets you moving onto the roster. King caught a 59-yard touchdown from Ryan Nassib against the Patriots to cement his roster spot. Mark it down.
Trevin Wade was thought to be on the chopping block all preseason. After the team signed Leon Hall, many had Wade’s days numbered on Big Blue. But Wade has hung around, and Hall sustained a concussion against the Jets last week. Wade stepped into the slot against the Patriots and intercepted Tom Brady this week.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple and Leon Hall are moving onto the regular season roster. Michael Hunter and Leon McFadden have not distinguished themselves. Donte Deayon is an under-sized, undrafted free agent from Boise State. He’s the underdog, but he’s not better than Wade.
Wade makes the squad and plays more than expected.
Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) catches a touchdown past New York Giants defensive back Trevin Wade (31) during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Moving On Out
Andre Williams did not get a carry last week against the Jets. This week he did not get into the game against New England until the second half. Williams averaged a paltry 2.9 yards per carry in 2015.
James Kratch of NJ Advance Media believes that Williams will make the final 53. “Darkwa’s rough special teams night [against he New York Jets] may have wiped out whatever chance he had left.”
On the other hand, Darkwa plays on special teams, and he was given nine carries in the first half. Williams only played in the second half, which has to say something. The only factor in favor of Williams is that he’s a Jerry Reese draft pick.
J.T. Thomas was a curious signing for the Giants to begin with. Last season, Thomas was handed the weakside linebacker job, and at best, he was serviceable. This year he was supplanted in every way by Jonathan Casillas. Thomas did start camp on the PUP list, but Casillas would have won the job anyway.
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Kratch thinks Thomas makes the final roster over Kelvin Sheppard. “Just a gut feeling. Thomas brings more to the table as a special teamer than Sheppard, as well as the financial considerations. Coming into camp, Sheppard was assumed the likely man out.”
Moving Along
Two players who will not be on the Giants’ final 53-man roster are quarterback Logan Thomas and running back Bobby Rainey. Both have earned another NFL shot, however. The logjam at running back worked against Rainey, but he showed that he belongs in the NFL.
When the Giants were scuffling for kick and punt returners, Rainey would have been an upgrade. With Dwayne Harris handling those responsibilities, Rainey becomes expendable. He has run the ball effectively and caught the rock out of the backfield. In fact, he would be a perfect fit for the New York Jets.
In a quarterback hungry league, Thomas showed he deserves another look-see. Unlike the Josh Freeman debacle, Thomas actually developed in his short time with the Giants. The G-Men have too much invested in Ryan Nassib to let him go, but Thomas certainly improved throughout OTA’s through training camp.
Look for both Rainey and Thomas to get scooped up if cut by the Giants.
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