Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs past New England Patriots free safety Patrick Chung (25) during Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants have been one busy team within the last 24 hours. One of their first cuts made was veteran linebacker Michael Boley, who signed a five-year $25 million dollar deal in 2009 (was due to make $4.5 million in 2013) had 1 year left on his contract. It’s clear the Giants are looking to cut ties with some contracts to make sure they aren’t above the 2013 salary cap. Tho it hasn’t been announced yet, some believe that it will be the same as 2012, which was around $121 million. The Giants continued to look at where they could save money, making releases of veteran defensive linemen Chris Canty and running back Ahmad Bradshaw.
Chris Canty who was due more than $6 million next season, played in only nine games in 2012. Bradshaw, meanwhile, was set to make $3.75 million in 2013 and an additional $4 million in 2014. Rushing for over 1 thousand yards last year and 6 touchdowns, Bradshaw suffered a neck injury during season which allowed rookie David Wilson and 3 year veteran Andre Brown to show what they had to offer. Wilson picked up 358 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 71 attempts, while Brown rushed for 385 yards and 8 touchdowns on 73 attempts. With the release of Bradshaw, this certainly opens up the door for Wilson to show he can be New York’s #1 back. Also noted, Andre Brown, who broke his fibula against the Green Bay Packers, is also a restricted free-agent.
Bradshaw underwent surgery before the Super Bowl to insert a screw into his right foot. Bradshaw is expected to be sidelined for around 2 months but will be 100% by the time camp opens and preseason begins. I don’t expect him to be a free agent for long after teams get the word that he is ready to start training again. New York making sure they aren’t over the cap, there could be more cuts following these. Other players they could possibly look at cutting ties with are tackle David Diehl ($4.475 million due in 2013), corner-back Corey Webster ($7 million in 2013) and are expected to cut or resign corner-back Terrell Thomas ($750,000) before he is due a $6 million option bonus which he could sometime in March. Expect more changes to come from the big blue.