Coleman embraces new start with Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Former first-round pick and wide receiver Corey Coleman, the newest member of the New York Giants, doesn’t want to dwell on his past.
“I don’t want to talk about all that,” Coleman said. “I’ve left that all behind.”
Coleman, 24, was promoted to the team’s 53man roster Thursday after former All-Pro defensive tackle Damon Harrison was traded to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round draft pick. Coleman was promoted to take Harrison’s spot on the roster.
“This organization wanted me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here,” Coleman said before Thursday’s practice.. “I just want to contribute in some way. I think this organization fits me well.”
Coleman has had a bumpy ride so far this season.
During training camp in August, the former Cleveland first-round selection out of Baylor (No. 15 overall) in the 2016 draft was unhappy with the way he was being used by Browns coach Hue Jackson and expressed his displeasure to Jackson and general manager John Dorsey.
The conversation among Coleman, Jackson and Dorsey was highlighted on the HBO series “Hard Knocks.” Days after meeting with Jackson and Dorsey, Coleman was traded to Buffalo for a seventh-round draft pick in 2020.
Coleman’s tenure with the Bills was extremely brief. He lasted just two weeks and didn’t make it to the final cut and was released Sept. 1.
Ten days later, Coleman was signed by New England, but his time with the Patriots also was brief. He was released Sept. 17 after the Patriots traded to get Coleman’s former Browns teammate Josh Gordon.
Three days later, Coleman was signed to the New England practice squad and, nine days after that, he was released.
Coleman was out of football for most of October after making tryout visits with several teams. Last week, he was signed to the New York practice squad and, after the Giants had receivers Jawill Davis and Russell Shepard get hurt, Coleman was promoted to the active roster in time for Sunday’s game.
Coleman wants to make his mark with his new club — his fourth since August.
“I think people are going to see the new version of me,” Coleman said.
Ref reportedly fired by league
The NFL fired down judge Hugo Cruz for inadequate performance, two people familiar with the firing told the Associated Press.
Cruz is in his fourth season as an NFL official.
Cruz, a part of referee Carl Cheffers' crew, was involved in a missed call in the Chargers-Browns game that led to a Los Angeles touchdown on Oct. 14. Chargers tackle Russell Okung false-started on the play, and nothing was called.
But Cruz was fired for his overall work over a sustained period, not for one specific play, according to the AP’s sources.
The NFL Referees Association said it would challenge the firing.
Cruz's firing was first reported by FootballZebras.com, which said it is the first in-season firing by the league of an official because of performance in the Super Bowl era.
There has been a wave of criticism of officiating this season by team executives, coaches, players and the media. Several times, teams have been told by the league that a call was missed, although that has happened in past years, too.
Odds and ends
Jacksonville will be without Pro Bowl cornerback A.J. Bouye against Philadelphia at London on Sunday. The Jaguars also will be without backup cornerback Tyler Patmon because of a neck injury. Cornerback D.J. Hayden (toe) made the trip but is unlikely to play because of a lingering toe injury. Hayden has missed five consecutive games and has not practiced since Sept. 21. Bouye missed practice Thursday after suffering a calf injury in drills the day before. Without them, Jacksonville will have three undrafted rookie cornerbacks to play alongside All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. … Denver added former Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson, a third-year pro, to its practice squad. The move come a day after the Broncos waived backup quarterback Chad Kelly, who was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass Tuesday. With Kelly gone, third-year pro Kevin Hogan is now starting quarterback Case Keenum's backup.