53-man roster announced: Smith wins backup QB job
Geno Smith will officially be continuing his NFL career with a different team in New York.
The former Jet is part of the Giants’ 53-man roster, the team announced Saturday. Teams had until 4 p.m. to solidify their final cuts from the 90-man rosters that competed throughout the summer.
Smith, 26, beat out 31-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson for the opportunity to back up Eli Manning this season. Both quarterbacks shined in the preseason finale Thursday against the Patriots, but evidently Smith, who started the game and completed 10-of-11 pass attempts for 111 yards and one touchdown, performed better over the course of camp.
Johnson was one of 27 players the Giants either waived or placed on injured reserve Saturday. Thirdround pick Davis Webb will be the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
“It was a close call,” head coach Ben McAdoo said. “Both men earned an opportunity and can play in this league. We wish Josh the best and thanked him for everything he’s done for us.”
At kicker, 22-year-old Aldrick Rosas held off veteran Mike Nugent, whom the Giants released. Both kickers were perfect on field goals during the preseason. Rosas went 8-for-8 and 4-for-4 against the Patriots, including a gamewinning 47-yarder as time expired.
“We know Aldrick has a big leg, and we really liked the way he responded throughout training camp and in the preseason games,” McAdoo said. “Mike Nugent was a guy that came in and was a great teammate and was a pro. He pushed Aldrick, which made him better, and it made Aldrick better. I think at the end of the day you go with the players who’s been here (since January) and has the biggest upside.”
The cut process began with eight waived players on Friday, including offensive lineman Richard Levy, who attended Trenton Central High from 2008-12.
The Giants decided to carry both a fullback and four tight ends. Undrafted rookie Shane Smith will be the team’s fullback after it went without one last season. Jerell Adams and Matt LaCosse made the team as tight ends along with firstround pick Evan Engram and free agent signing Rhett Ellison. Thirdyear tight end Will Tye and fullback Jacob Huesman were released.
Undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler made the roster as one of three backup offensive linemen, as did Brett Jones and D.J. Fluker. Sixthround pick Adam Bisnowaty, who struggled in preseason action, was released. Jon Halapio, Jarron Jones and Matt Rotheram were also cut.
Wide receivers Dwayne Harris, Tavarres King and Roger Lewis landed roster spots over wide receivers Travis Rudolph, Jerome Lane, Canaan Severin, Marquis Bundy and Ed Eagan.
Veteran linebacker Mark Herzlich, one of four remaining players from the Giants’ 2012 Super Bowl championship team, was placed on season-ending injured reserve after being sidelined most of August with a stinger in his neck.
Undrafted rookie Calvin Munson and seven-year veteran J.T. Thomas join Keenan Robinson as reserve linebackers. Stansly Maponga, Deontae Skinner and Curtis Grant were let go.
The Giants traded a conditional 2018 draft pick for cornerback Ross Cockrell, who started all 16 games for the Steelers last season. Cockrell gives the team some much-needed depth at the position, where the Giants waived fan favorite Donte Deayon, DaShaun Amos and Nigel Tribune.
On the defensive line, the Giants are rostering nine players. Josh Banks was placed on injured reserve, while Devin Taylor, Jordan Williams and Bobby Richardson were cut.
The waiver period for released players ends at noon Sunday. After 1 p.m., the Giants can then sign up to 10 of their players not claimed by another team to their practice squad. Rudolph, Bisnowaty and Deayon figure to be among the players that New York will push to retain.