Giants release Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty as they continue to clean house

In addition to David Wilson and Andre Brown, the Giants should also have the services of Da'Rel Scott next season, who essentially missed the 2012 season. He impressed with some physical, power running during the preseason that belies his slender size, and he has the potential to be a weapon out of the backfield as a third down back.With all the excitement surrounding David Wilson, however, do not forget about Andre Brown. He rushed for over 100 yards in his first career start against the Carolina Panthers last season. Overall, he managed 5.3 yards per carry on 73 carries and amassed an impressive eight rushing touchdowns, proving himself to be a stout option for goal-to-go situations.Of course, saying goodbye to a player like Ahmad Bradshaw is easier to do when there is a guy like David Wilson waiting in the wings. This first round pick was not selected to be a situational player. It is time for Wilson to be an every down back. He has shown electrifying promise on multiple occasions throughout his rookie season; now it's time to see what he can do on a regular basis.View the list »
As any Giant fan should be aware, when Ahmad Bradshaw is healthy, he is a dynamic and explosive playmaker - although he occasionally has an issue with ball security. Giants fans also know, however, that Bradshaw, who is just 27, has a lengthy history of foot injuries. His health, combined with his salary, made him expendable. The Giants look to save nearly $3 million in cap space with his release.

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Yesterday, the New York Giants announced that they have parted ways with Michael Boley, a four-year starter at the weak outside linebacker spot. Today, two more starters have been shown the door after a season in which they failed to make the playoffs.

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Coaches and fans alike are saying goodbye to running back Ahmad Bradshaw and defensive tackle Chris Canty today, as both have been released. Both have battled through injury the recently; Bradshaw especially has lingering foot issues.

Canty and Boley were both part of a promising crop of free agents that the Giants brought in in 2009 to shore up their defense. And they did, for a while. And while they have continued to be productive while healthy, the team must have felt that their salary did not justify their overall value to the team.

Take a look at this list to see what kind of impact these cuts could have for the Giants in 2013.

View the list
  • As any Giant fan should be aware, when Ahmad Bradshaw is healthy, he is a dynamic and explosive playmaker - although he occasionally has an issue with ball security. Giants fans also know, however, that Bradshaw, who is just 27, has a lengthy history of foot injuries. His health, combined with his salary, made him expendable. The Giants look to save nearly $3 million in cap space with his release.
  • Of course, saying goodbye to a player like Ahmad Bradshaw is easier to do when there is a guy like David Wilson waiting in the wings. This first round pick was not selected to be a situational player. It is time for Wilson to be an every down back. He has shown electrifying promise on multiple occasions throughout his rookie season; now it's time to see what he can do on a regular basis.
  • With all the excitement surrounding David Wilson, however, do not forget about Andre Brown. He rushed for over 100 yards in his first career start against the Carolina Panthers last season. Overall, he managed 5.3 yards per carry on 73 carries and amassed an impressive eight rushing touchdowns, proving himself to be a stout option for goal-to-go situations.
  • In addition to David Wilson and Andre Brown, the Giants should also have the services of Da'Rel Scott next season, who essentially missed the 2012 season. He impressed with some physical, power running during the preseason that belies his slender size, and he has the potential to be a weapon out of the backfield as a third down back.
  • Chris Canty came to the Giants from the Dallas Cowboys as a coveted free agent four seasons ago. So why are they saying goodbye to him now? Well, he missed a lot of time last year with a lingering back issue, for starters. More importantly, however, as the Giants find themselves over the salary cap limit, the whopping $6.5 million in cap space that they save with his release will be crucial to their off-season restructuring.
  • It would be fair to say that Chris Canty was the leader of the defensive tackle platoon, but now that he is gone, it is time for Linval Joseph, who will be entering his fourth season, to take that position of leadership. He has already impressed with his game, but can he make those around him better? More importantly, however, who will play alongside him with the void left by Canty?
  • Last season, when Chris Canty began the year on the PUP list and Shaun Rogers, the team's insurance policy for Canty's injury, suffered a blood clot, it was Rocky Bernard, the wily veteran, who filled in. Bernard has been stout since he has been with the Giants. He is currently a free agent, however. Do the Giants think enough of him to bring him back? What kind of market will there be for the 11 year veteran?
  • In 2010, the Giants went d-line in back to back rounds with Jason Pierre-Paul at DE and Linval Joseph at DT, and both are now entrenched starters. In 2011, the Giants took another secound round defensive tackle, but many might not even know his name: Marvin Austin. That is because Austin missed all of rookie season and suffered through injury last year as well, being limited to 8 games. In fact, he was passed on the depth chart by a 7th round rookie. However, entering his third season, and possibly healthy, perhaps this is the time that he will emerge and shore up the defensive line along with Joseph in the middle.
  • In the 2012 draft, the Giants selected Markus Kuhn in the 7th round, a defensive tackle that they knew would be a project. However, he exceeded expectations throughout training camp and the preseason and eventually earned a spot in the defensive line rotation, despite being undersized. With Canty departing and questions with others in front of him, Kuhn could play a major role for the Giants in his sophomore season.
  • Earlier in the season, injury and inexperience left the Giants quite thin at the interior of the defensive line. To circumvent the issue, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell moved Jason Pierre-Paul inside for certain packages, including a pass rushing specialty that included Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Mathias Kiwanuka all on the line. If the team cannot adequately address depth concerns in the offseason, look for such packages to continue next season, even if Umenyiora departs: the team has two other young defensive ends that they like quite a bit in the form of Adrian Tracy and Adewale Ojomo.
View the list

, Newark Football Examiner

Having grown up in New Jersey, Matt has naturally been around Giants and Jets football his entire life. But at a young age, he also found an affinity for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as he got older, his fondness for the game itself grew beyond rooting for certain teams. Although the NFL season...

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