Giants keep four QBs; release Thompson, Herzlich, Lewis

The New York Giants cut 32 players Saturday to get their roster down to the league mandated 53 players.

The team decided to keep four quarterbacks: Eli Manning, Davis Webb, Kyle Lauletta, Alex Tanney. This was a head scratcher indeed considering Manning has never missed a start due to the injury. Lauletta is this year’s fourth round pick while Webb is a third-round pick inherited from the team’s previous regime.

General manager Dave Gettleman has hinted that he’s open to the idea of trading Tanney, a journeyman who has only appeared in one game in his career. The Giants lack depth at cornerback and defensive line and dealing Tanney could address some of those needs.

The Giants parted ways with free safety Darian Thompson. Thompson, who started in all 16 games last season, missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Curtis Riley became the prohibitive favorite to start with Landon Collins. The Giants also waived Andrew Adams, who became lost in the shuffle after starting 14 games in his 2016 rookie season.

Sean Chandler, William Gay (a converted cornerback), and Michael Thomas are the back-up safeties.

Wide receiver Roger Lewis was released after finishing 2017 with 36 receptions, 416 yards (third-most on the team), and two touchdowns. Lewis didn’t seem to mesh with the new coaching staff. Cody Latimer will be the No. 3 receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. Offseason free agent signee Russell Shepard is behind Latimer while Hunter Sharp will be the No. 5 receiver and returner.

The Giants also released linebacker Mark Herzlich. Herzlich was a feel-good story, overcoming cancer at Boston College and signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He appeared in 88 games, with 18 starts. Herzlich won a Super Bowl ring when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

PLAYERS RELEASED

Safety Andrew Adams, guard Malcolm Bunche, wide receiver Marquis Bundy, defensive lineman Tyrell Chavis, wide receiver Jawill Davis, tight end Garrett Dickerson, wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo, defensive lineman A.J. Francis, cornerback Grant Haley, linebacker Mark Herzlich, cornerback Leonard Johnson, cornerback Mike Jones, guard Zac Kerin, kicker Marshall Koehn, wide receiver Roger Lewis, cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris, linebacker Warren Long, defensive lineman Izaah Lunsford, linebacker Avery Moss, linebacker Calvin Munson, tight end Ryan O’Malley, running back Jhurell Pressley, wide receiver Kalif Raymond, wide receiver Travis Rudolph, wide receiver Alonzo Russell, offensive tackle Victor Salako, guard Chris Scott, running back Jalen Simmons, safety Orion Stewart, defensive lineman Robert Thomas, safety Darian Thompson, linebacker Jordan Williams

RESERVE/SUSPENDED LIST

Defensive lineman Josh Mauro

RESERVE/NON-FOOTBALL INJURED LIST

Defensive end R.J. McIntosh

INJURED RESERVE

Offensive lineman Nick Becton, offensive lineman Nick Gates

– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL, the New York Giants, and the NBA. Please like and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.