Tag: Chad Slade

Giants roster cuts: Tracking the path to 53 players

Tracking all New York Giants transactions as they trim their roster from 80 to 53 (plus one roster exemption).

With the preseason in the books and training camps winding down, the final round of roster cuts are upon us. The New York Giants have until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. EDT to trim their roster from 80 to 53 (with a roster exemption for Sandro Platzgummer).

While head coach Joe Judge said last week that most starting jobs had been set in stone, he left the door open for a few changes based on Sunday’s performance. And when all was said and done, there were still some tough decisions to make.

Below, we will keep track of all Giants’ transactions over the next 24 hours.

Giants dropped by Browns, 17-13: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the New York Giants’ 17-13 Week 2 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The New York Giants faced off against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon in their second game of the 2021 NFL Preseason.

Kickoff temperature was a sunny 81 degrees and perfect for football. It was another game in which the reserves did most — if not all — of the heavy lifting for Big Blue.

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The Giants game-day captains were safety Julian Love, long snapper Casey Kreiter and tight end Kaden Smith.

The offensive line got a respite in this game after a tough couple of days of scrimmages with the Browns. With five more roster cuts due this week, the Giants wanted to get a long look at the reserves. Jackson Barton started at left tackle with Kenny Wiggins at left guard, Jonotthan Harrison at center, Ted Larsen at right guard and Chad Slade at right tackle. Mike Glennon opened the game at quarterback.

The starting defense was as such: Raymond Johnson, David Moa and B.J. Hill up front with Ryan Anderson, Oshane Ximines, Reggie Ragland and Devante Downs at linebacker with rookie Rodarius Williams and Madre Harper at the corners and Xavier McKinney and Love at safety.

Harper was picked on twice in the red zone on the Brown’s first drive. The first play he broke up a touchdown grab against Rashard Higgins but gave up a touchdowns two player later to KhaDarel Hodge. The Browns’ drive, led by veteran quarterback Case Keenum, went for 81 yards on 10 plays. The Giants’ defense was very lax, especially when it came to containing the edge on running plays.

The Giants charged right back with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive of their own, highlighted by a 24-yard completion from Glennon to Rysen John and the rushing and receiving of free agent running back Devontae Booker, who scored on one yard dive to complete the scoring drive.

On the Browns’ next possession, Quincy Wilson picked off Keenum in the end zone to stop a scoring drive. The first half ended with the score tied 7-7.

The Giants allowed 94 yards on the ground in the first half, 7.8 yards per attempt. To be fair, 32 of those yards came an a last-second scramble by former Giant backup quarterback Kyle Lauletta against a prevent defense.

The second half featured the bottom rungs of each team’s depth charts. Brian Lewerke, signed this week by the Giants, played the second half at quarterback leading a scoring drive that ended in a touchdown pass but was followed by a failed two-point try. For a player who has been with the team for a week, he appeared to be quite poised.

The final was Browns 17, Giants 13 with onlookers champing at the bit for the regular season to begin.

Notes

  • When backups are playing backups, it’s difficult to get excited about standout players but several Giants flashed. Booker looked like a No. 1 back, rushing for 27 yards on six attempts and caught both targets for 13 yards.
  • Glennon completed 10 of 13 paces for 86 yards. Wide receiver David Sills had another strong game catching thereof four targets for 31 yards, including a contested catch in the end zone for a score.
  • TE/WR Rysen John had three receptions with one going for 24 yards and another for 29. Unfortunately, he injured his lower leg late in the game, coming lame in what appeared to be a non-contact injury. He walked off underlies own power.
  • Coughlin is still a tad spotty in pass coverage but is without a doubt a solid pass rusher, especially coming up the middle. He had four tackles including a sack in the first half.
  • Harper, who was a ‘bubble’ player entering the game, left the game in the third quarter with a groin injury.
  • Wilson left with an ankle injury, leaving the Giants a bit short at corner.
  • Special team ace Matt Cole was trotted out on defense to fill in and looked fairly comfortable in the role.
  • The Giants went 2-for-2 in the red zone. Cleveland went 2-3.

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Giants fall to Jets: Winners, losers and those in between

Here are the winners, losers and those in between from the New York Giants’ preseason Week 1 loss to the New York Jets.

The New York Giants opened the 2021 preseason on Saturday night with an embarrassing 12-7 loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It was an ugly game for both teams from the jump, but the Giants appeared lightyears behind where they should be. The saving grace is that the vast majority of their starters didn’t play or played very little.

Here’s a quick look at our immediate winners and losers (and those in between) from Week 1 of the preseason.

Darius Slayton led Giants in 2020 performance-based pay

Darius Slayton led the New York Giants in performance-based pay in 2020, but he won’t see that payout until 2024.

The NFL announced its performance-based pay distributions on Tuesday, and New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton led the team.

In fact, Slayton was among the league’s greatest beneficiaries of the program, earning $502,392 which will be paid out in 2024 per the CBA. All payments have been deferred until then as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Slayton, other top Giants beneficiaries include defensive back Julian Love ($463,271), center Nick Gates ($436,723), tight end Kaden Smith ($350,332) and nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson ($340,776), who is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, wideout Alex Bachman will received the Giants’ lowest total at just $600. Guard Chad Slade will earn the team’s second-lowest total at $1,806.

All told, 68 current and former members of the Giants will earn some form of performance-based pay for 2020.

The performance-based pay system, which is part of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), compensates players, including rookies, based on their playing time and production in comparison to their base salary.

This year, the NFLPA dedicated a total of $272 million in performance-based pay benefits ($8.5 million per team).

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All-Auburn Offensive Team during Gus Malzahn era

Taking a look at the elite of the elite for Auburn on offense during the eight years of the Gus Malzahn era on the Plains.

The Gus Malzahn era at Auburn started out with a bang on the offensive side of the ball has Nick Marshall, Tre Mason and company lit the scoreboard on fire on their way to a SEC title and spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

While the Tigers’ offense would never reach those heights again under Malzahn during his eight years in charge, there were still plenty of great offensive players to come to the Plains during that time.

But who is the top of the top and the elite of the elite? We name our All-Auburn Offensive Team from the Malzahn era along with who would serve as second string.

(Note: When it comes to offensive linemen, we did not choose someone for each position but the top five guys that made the biggest impact.)

New York Giants: 2021 reserve/futures contract scorecard

The New York Giants have begun signing players to reserve/futures contracts, so use the Giants Wire tracker to stay up to date.

The New York Giants are now officially in offseason mode and general manager Dave Gettleman has wasted little time in preparing for 2021, handing out reserve/futures deals on Black Monday.

The first to ink a reserve/futures deal was offensive lineman Chad Slade, who appeared in just one game this past season.

Slade representation announced the signing on Twitter.

As the Giants continue to sign more players to such deals, we will update the blow tracker:

  • OL Chad Slade

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Giants players honor Emlen Tunnell, Y.A. Tittle with practice jerseys

New York Giants players continued a new tradition during practice on Wednesday with several wearing Ring of Honor jerseys.

The New York Giants continued a recent tradition under first-year head coach Joe Judge where scout team players get to wear the jerseys of Giants Ring of Honorees. Two weeks go we reported on the first time the Giants did it:

Quarterback Colt McCoy donned the No. 16 jersey belonging to Frank Gifford, while cornerback Jarren Williams wore Mel Hein’s No. 7 and rookie linebacker Carter Coughlin wore Lawrence Taylor’s forever infamous No. 56.Offensive lineman Chad Slade also wore Chris Snee’s No. 76 and defensive lineman David Moa wore George Martin’s No. 75.

On Wednesday, at practice in the snowy confines of the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, there were more old jerseys on display.

Al Blozis was won offensive lineman for the Giants in 1942-43. At 6-foot and 250 pounds he was initially deemed to be too large for military service. But in 1943, Blozis found himself a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was killed in action in 1945 and his No. 32 was retired by the Giants. Legend has it that Blozis’ name was once on a plaque in centerfield of the Polo Grounds. The plaque was reportedly stolen.

Emlen Tunnell’s career with the Giants is well-documented. A nine-time Pro Bowler who was a member of the 1956 NFL Championship team and who played the last three seasons of his career with Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers. His No. 45 is not retired by the Giants.

Y.A. Tittle and Mel Hein’s careers are also well-documented. Tittle only played four seasons for the Giants but what a four seasons they were. His 36 touchdowns passes in 1963 stood as an NFL single season record until 1984 when Miami’s Dan Marino broke it with 48. His No. 14 is co-retired with Ward Cuff.

Hein played center and linebacker for the Giants for 15 seasons (1931-45). He was one of the 17 players indicted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963. His No. 7 is retired by the Giants.

Dick Lynch was born in Oceanside, New York and began his NFL career in 1958 with the Washington Redskins after attending Notre Dame, where is is a member of their Hall of Fame. He was traded to the Giants in 1959 for fourth round draft pick.

A defensive back, Lynch played eight seasons for the Giants, leading the NFL in interceptions in 1961 and 1963. After misplaying career, Lynch worked as an analyst on Giants radio broadcasts from 1967 until his death in 2008. His No. 22 is not retired.

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Giants activate Brandon Williams from IR, promote three from practice squad

The New York Giants have activated CB Brandon Williams from injured reserve and promoted three practice squad players.

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The New York Giants made a slew of roster moves on Saturday afternoon ahead of their Week 9 tilt against the Washington Football Team, including the activation of veteran cornerback Brandon Williams (groin) from injured reserve.

Williams takes the roster spot of fellow cornerback Ryan Lewis, who was placed on IR earlier this week with a hamstring injury.

In addition to the activation of Williams, the Giants also promoted defensive back Montre Hartage and running back Alfred Morris from their practice squad.

Both had been activated in Week 8 as well, with Morris seeing the most action in the game. He gained 28 yards on eight carries.

Finally, with guard Will Hernandez remaining on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the Giants also promoted offensive lineman Chad Slade from the practice squad.

Like Hartage and Morris, Slade was also activated in Week 8.

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Giants sign guard Kenny Wiggins

The New York Giants have signed veteran offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins and returned three players to their practice squad.

The New York Giants announced on Tuesday that they have signed veteran guard Kenny Wiggins, who worked out for the team and went through COVID-19 protocols over the weekend.

Wiggins originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Fresno State in 2011 before spending time with the San Francisco 49ers (2012-2013), Los Angeles Chargers (2013-2017) and, most recently, the Detroit Lions (2018-2020).

The Lions released Wiggins on October 24.

In 10 NFL seasons, Wiggins has appeared in 79 games with 38 starts. In 2017 with the Chargers, he started all 16 games at right guard but has also played left guard over the years.

In four games this season, Wiggins has taken only a single snap.

The Giants also announced that defensive back Montre Hartage, running back Alfred Morris and guard Chad Slade have been returned to the practice squad.

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Report: Giants’ Shane Lemieux will start at LG vs. Buccaneers

The New York Giants will start rookie Shane Lemieux at left guard in place of Will Hernandez (COVID-19) in Week 8.

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The New York Giants will be without starting left guard Will Hernandez on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The good news is that Hernandez reportedly feels well and should return in relatively short order, but will miss his first-ever NFL snap in Week 8. In his absence, the Giants will turn to a rookie.

Although head coach Joe Judge avoided naming Hernandez’s replacement over the weekend, multiple reports now state that fifth-round pick Shane Lemieux will earn the start over practice squad reserve Chad Slade.

Judge had previously acknowledged the plan was to slowly work Lemieux in similarly to what they’ve done with rookie tackle Matt Peart. So far this season, he’s logged just two offensive snaps.

“Shane has been doing a good job really improving for us throughout the season. He’s done a really good job in practice,” Judge told reporters. “We were planning on really working him in throughout the games anyway, to be honest with you, in terms of just like we kind of worked Matt Peart into games as well. We have confidence in Shane. He’ll be in the mix with different guys that may factor into that position. We’ll see where it goes by the end of the week and where everything leads going into Monday. We have confidence in Shane, I would expect him to play regardless of what the scenario is.

“Shane is definitely an aggressive player. He’s definitely got that bruiser mentality to it. He’s settling in a lot technically. He’s shown a lot of improvement throughout the year. We liked him from the jump. He’s definitely a guy that wants to get after it, wants to play physical, wants to play aggressive. He’s really made good adjustments to a lot of the movement schemes and also the speed of the game of how it comes to it. His communication inside has really improved throughout the year. With the centers and guards inside, that’s definitely a critical piece for everything they are going to do, because the multiples they’ll see inside. He’s really shown a lot of growth for us.”

If the Giants do wish to trade veteran Kevin Zeitler over the next 36 hours, a good showing by Lemieux against one of the NFL’s best front sevens would go a long way in easing their nerves.

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