The Giants, The Upcoming Cuts and The Roster Puzzle Coming to a Close

This is always an interesting time each year for within a few days, there will be the last preseason game, roster cuts to the 53 and the formation of the Practice Squad. It is a time of great transition, of the starting of dreams and ending and of much disappointment and satisfaction, depending on the player.
The first event is the game, the last before the season begins. I know that many feel it is a waste of time, but for coaches and players, these sixty minutes give the backups some needed time on the field. It is here that many players will either show a bit more and shine or reveal themselves to be a bit further back on the learning curve. There are many aspects to being an NFL player and only so much can be seen in practices and in team activities. The bottom line is that they must play the game strong. Many can do really well in other aspects and have all the tools, but are lost when on the field. Others may fall a bit short off the field, but know how to play the game. This game will give coaches much knowledge of the bottom half of the large roster and aid in the decisions that need to be made, both in trimming the team to the 53 as well as deciding upon Practice Squad players.
One thing that must not happen is injuries. They have been relatively injury free this camp, at least in the severe ones, and keeping that in this game is needed, even though the starters and main players will probably not get any playing time. Backup players are needed as well and any injury can really change things, although to a lesser extent. And nagging injuries are sometimes a lot harder to deal with than severe ones. With those that are season ending, there is little option, but injured reserve and to bring in a replacement. Managing other injuries are so much harder as they will be on the roster and unavailable until the injury is better, so roster moves are a bit different. When there are almost a dozen that are recovering, it makes the roster puzzle all that harder.
This game will have drama and will be an interesting story in one way or another, but it will be filed away as preseason games all are, as preparation for the season. That is the goal of the preseason, to get this team ready in all ways for the campaign. There are other secondary goals as well, in that players need to be evaluated and developed. If that is accomplished, there will be a continuing flow of players to the team, to renew the team with youth. This last game is one where those secondary goals will be in the forefront.
It will be interesting to me to see Walter and Hoyer at the helm, to see how they run the offense. O'Connell looked shaky at best, so much so that he got cut two days after the game. Having solid backup quarterbacks is really important, but sometimes a mediocre performance can be judged as quite acceptable. Matt Cassell was not strong last year in the preseason and many thought he would not make it to the 53, but when it counted, after Brady's knee injury, he stepped up and led the team to 11 wins. One would not have projected Cassell's great season from anything he did in the preseason, but obviously the coaches liked what they saw in what he did and did not do. the execution might have not been there, but decisions and many of the intangibles were. It is here that Walter can be looked at closer. Will he be the back up QB or will they look for another vet? With Hoyer, it will be seeing how much the rookie has advanced in these four months with the team. I really think his advancement coupled with O'Connell's plateau led to KO's being cut. But as much as quarterbacks will be in focus, so will all the players in all positions, it's just that it's a lot harder to see immediately.
And that leads to the roster puzzle, which will be solved over the weekend. There are all kinds of projections that fans and pundits make, but there are always events that can change rosters, as much as injuries can. Many if not all had both O'Connell and Hochstein on their rosters and yet after the third preseason neither were with the team. Who really saw either being gone? O'Connell was the next Brady to be, the real back up in time and Hochstein was the versatile interior offensive lineman.
Another wild card is the injury bug and already two are on the shelf for about six or seven weeks. OT Mark LeVoir is out with a shoulder injury and will add youth to the line when he makes his return. Rookie WR Brandon Tate has been recovering from a knee injury and is on the NFI list. He could in time be on the PUP or IR depending on his recovery. I tend to think it's more likely the injured reserve, but only time will tell. While others can not be on the PUP list, there are a number players with injuries and since the team keeps any knowledge of that close to the vest, its really hard to speculate whether these are serious injuries or more in the ones that will last only a few weeks. Among these players are WR Julian Edelman, OL George Bussey, RB Sammy Morris, CB Shawn Springs and LB Shawn Crable. Who knows how serious the injuries are to these players and whether they will be put on injured reserve or not. Certainly, if players go on IR, the roster will be changed and it will be a bit easier as decisions would have been made. I really think it is hard to speculate, but I would not be surprised to see one go on IR. I really hope none will, but I have a suspicion that there might be some that will take awhile to really rehab and be ready.
I will try and do a roster of 53, without trying to project any on injured reserve as that is just too difficult to see at this point.
Special teams---3---It is here that is the absolute easiest. Three players to chose from and 3 positions. The kicker Gostkowski, the rookie snapper Ingram and the vet punter Hansen. No issues here at all.
Quarterbacks---3---There are three on the roster and it's very possible that all three will stay. If Walter can be the true back up, then all this talk about AJ Feeley is out the window. That will be one story this evening. As far as Hoyer is concerned, they could try to get him on the Practice Squad, but my thoughts are that if they go that route, they might lose him. If they think he could be the future, they will need to keep him safe on the roster. Tonight, he'll play and all can see how he has progressed.
Running Backs---5---I know many are thinking that they will keep only 4, but with his tough running, Green-Ellis needs to stay and fill in for any of the injured top four. With Morris, Maroney and Faulk, all injured at one point or another the last few years, having the law firm in ready will be a smart move for depth. Fred Taylor is a great addition to the other three, basically taking the spot of Jordan. Chris Taylor is the one out, but with any serious injuries, could find his way back.
Wide receivers---4---With 9 on the roster now, a few will make the team more on STs, but will be tough backups. With Moss, Welker, Galloway and Lewis, the Pats have a formidable group of top notch receivers. Having Aiken and Edelman as backups only gives the team incredible depth. Nunn and Ortiz are on the outs, but I really believe Nunn will be on the PSquad and catch on at some time. He's done an awful lot so far, but I really don't think he can crack the top four.
Tight Ends---3---Thomas, with his versatility will definitely make it and Baker will as well, as he's not only the best blocking tight end, but a big receiver in the red zone. The oft injured Watson will be on the team and hopefully make some contributions. He's never had the big year and has been injured or barely making plays. It has been a disappointing career for him. Smith came with a big contract and he's also not shown much. He might be the perfect trade bait and that would be no surprise if he's gone after tonight's game.
Offensive Line---8---There's the starting five, Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal and Kaczur and the two rooks, Ohrnberger and Vollmer. There is a place for one of three interior linemen and I think it will be Wendell. Connolly has not been good at center and that is a big part of being a back up. Yates might be part of the shadow roster if cut. I was surprised that Wendell was one of the first backup interior linemen in camp and the fact that he's practiced there so much tells me he's in got the inside track. O'Callaghan and Britt would be battling for a tackle job, but they may go with just Vollmer, knowing that LeVoir will return in a few weeks. Would they leave backup tackle to a rook? If they do, both vets will be gone, but they may keep one for awhile. My roster only has three tackles. There is also rookie Bussey, but he's more a PSquad candidate.
Defensive Line---7---There's the big three, Seymour, Wilfork and Warren, two tough rooks, Brace and Pryor and two vets, Green and Wright. I think that group is strong and deep. That leaves no room for Richard, Adams and Williams, one of whom may get to the Practice Squad.
Linebackers---7---Inside, there's Mayo and Guyton and outside, there's Thomas, Woods and Burgess. As backup inside, there could be Alexander or Lenon. Because of his tough ST play, I'd go with Alexander. On the outside, there's TBC, Crable or Ninkovitch. I'll go with Crable only because I think he's got potential. The others will have to vie for special teams. I will add as my last player, Ray Ventrone, who is smart and can play in many spots. There's a lot of other ST players who will not make it: LBs Ciurciu, Ninkovitch, Banta-Cain and Lenon and Ss HDJones and Rodgers as well as
Defensive Backs---9---They are loaded up here with a lot of talent, Springs, Bodden, Wilhite, Butler, Wheatley, Sanders, Meriwether, Chung and McGowan. That is deep and a nice mixture of old and young. Love is a rookie and the other 3, HD Jones, Ventrone and Rodgers will need to make the roster on STs.
Special team Players---4---Aiken will probably be ST captain and he and Edelman can also play wide receiver in a pinch or when needed. Slater is a true ST only player, although I would like to see him play in some role on O or D, to expand what he does. The last player I would take is Ray Ventrone, who is smart and versatile. Those not making it would be LBs Ciurciu, Lenon, Ninkovitch and Banta-Cain and Ss HD Jones and Rodgers.
Given that projection, I could see a few additions of differences. I could see adding a Lenon to the LB corps or an OT like Callaghan. I could see another ST player instead of Ventrone or even only 2 QBs, with Hoyer for the Practice Squad. There are a many number of permutations. One might cut a running back, add a wide receiver or add a defensive back. I think the roster is really close, but the last few spots will be key. It will not be an easy weekend for the front office.
One thing is clear, whatever roster spots are a bit weak will be bolstered by the Practice Squad. I would think OL Bussy, WR Nunn, DL Richard and CB Love are good candidates for the Practice Squad. If OL Wendell is cut, he would also be there. DLs Williams and Adams might be as well. There are many possibilities here.
So in five days time, this will all be straightened out some and the focus will be on the Bills, but I really think there will be some surprises for this weekend, to improve the roster even more so.