Giants Audition 13 Players
- The Giants tried out 13 players (Twitter links): offensive linemen Cyril Richardson and Michael Bowie; quarterback Sean Renfree; wide receivers Da’Ron Brown and Kevin Norwood (practice squad); tight end Kyle Carter; defensive end Jordan Williams; linebackers Reshard Cliett and Austin Jacques; and defensive backs Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Sam Brown and Jacob Huesman.
Giants Lose Geremy Davis To Chargers
- The Chargers have waived cornerback Steve Williams, thus ending his second stint with the team. Williams, a 2013 fifth-round pick from Cal, appeared in 27 games with the Bolts over his first two seasons. He spent the early portion of this year with the Rams, who waived him Sept. 23, and then rejoined the Chargers last month. To take Williams’ roster spot, the Bolts will sign wideout Geremy Davis of the Giants’ practice squad, reports Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/8/16
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Blake Muir
- Cut: LB Davis Tull
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: G Jarell Broxton, DB Robertson Daniel
- Cut: QB David Fales
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Bruce Gaston
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: G Kadeem Edwards
- Cut: G Clay DeBord
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Wendall Williams
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: S Jimmy Hall, CB Tylor Patmon, QB Joel Stave
- Cut: RB Zac Brooks, OL Jarrod Pughsley, OT Zach Sterup
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Kevin Norwood
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Jarrod Pughsley
- Cut: WR Myles White
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: OT Tyreek Burwell
Seattle Seahawks
- Cut: WR Kenny Lawler
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Cody Riggs
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Lee Hightower
Giants OL Justin Pugh To Miss Time
Giants coach Ben McAdoo admitted today that guard Justin Pugh will “miss a little time” with a knee sprain, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY (Twitter link), who adds that a source says Pugh could miss two-to-four weeks.
[RELATED: Giants Considering Extension For Justin Pugh]
New York’s offensive line has produced disparate results this season depending on the situation — while the unit ranks third in adjusted sack rate, the Giants’ front five places just 28th in adjusted line yards, Football Outsiders‘ run-blocking metric. Big Blue did inquire on potential reinforcements heading into last week’s trade deadline, going as far as to express interest in Browns left tackle Joe Thomas. Ultimately, though, the club stood pat and will likely look to internal options to replace Pugh at left guard for the time being.
Filling in for Pugh is no easy task, however, given that Pro Football Focus ranks him as the single best guard in the NFL thus far in 2016. Bobby Hart, who had been playing right tackle while Marshall Newhouse was sidelined, will slide to the interior to cover for Pugh’s absence. New York currently has three offensive lineman — Adam Gettis, Laurence Gibson, and Jon Halapio — on its practice squad, and one of that trio figures to get a call up in the near future.
Antrel Rolle Retires From NFL
Antrel Rolle has officially announced his retirement from the NFL. In an appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football (Twitter link), the veteran said that he has moved on from football. 
“I’m at total peace with that,” Rolle said of his decision to retire. “Going out, you’re 33 years old and you go on injured reserve last year. That’s going to scare a lot of teams away. I understand how the business works and I’m fine with that either way.”
In the late spring, PFR ranked Rolle as the seventh-best defensive free agent still on the board, ahead of other notable defensive backs such as Antonio Cromartie, Cortland Finnegan, and Will Allen. However, his market never really developed. Rolle expressed an interest in reuniting to the Giants and the Dolphins were reportedly keeping Rolle’s number handy in case Reshad Jones made good on his holdout threats. Ultimately, there was no deal made in New York, Miami, or anywhere else.
An 11-year NFL veteran who earned three Pro Bowl nods during his time with the Cardinals and Giants, Rolle was an average player in 2015, grading out as the No. 39 safety in the league among 89 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. While he didn’t post any interceptions during his seven contests with Chicago, Rolle did register 30 tackles while defensing one pass.
All in all, Rolle enjoyed a long and successful career and that he can look back on fondly. During his announcement today, he indicated that he would like to serve as a TV analyst now that his playing days are over.
Giants Notes: Graham, McAdoo, Free Agents
During the 2015 offseason, defensive end Brandon Graham received interest from the Giants. As the 28-year-old Eagles lineman prepares to play New York this weekend, he understands that he made the correct decision to stick with the team that drafted him.
“It was real,” Graham said of the Giants interest (via Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com). “I wasn’t that close. I wanted the Eagles here to get it right, as far as keeping me here. Obviously I made the right decision. I couldn’t be cool with myself going somewhere where I play the Eagles twice a year. I would have had to go outside the division.”
Graham ultimately inked a four-year, $26MM contract ($13MM) to remain in Philadelphia, and the former first-rounded has rewarded his team with 25 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles this season.
Let’s take a look at some more notes out of MetLife Stadium…
- The Giants continue to deny rumors that they had discussions with Alabama’s Nick Saban to become their next head coach. George Willis of The New York Post believes we still haven’t seen enough from Ben McAdoo to determine whether he’s the right man for the job. However, if the Giants continue to collect losses, the writer believes the team could revisit their talks with Saban this offseason.
- According to Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum, it was Saban’s wife who didn’t want to leave Alabama for the Big Apple. Had his wife decided to make the move to New York, Willis wonders if Saban would currently be coaching the Giants.
- NJ.com previews the Giants players who are playing for a new contract. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul leads the list, and he’s joined by defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, linebacker Keenan Robinson, right guard John Jerry, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, and tight end Larry Donnell.
Ben McAdoo On Giants' Lack Of Sacks
- The Giants have totaled a paltry nine sacks through seven games this year despite pouring serious money into their defensive line during the offseason. No NFC team has taken down opposing quarterbacks fewer times than the Giants, but head coach Ben McAdoo emphasized Friday that he’s unconcerned (per Brian Heyman of Newsday). “We say it all the time: Stats are for losers. We need to make the quarterback uncomfortable,” said McAdoo. “We need to make him move, make him chatter his feet, make him early or late with the throws. Numbers are numbers.” Here’s a stat McAdoo might like better: The Giants’ defense ranks seventh in the NFL in QB hurries (53), which indicates the team’s rushers have been in enemy passers’ faces quite often.
Olivier Vernon On 2016 Performance
- Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon said Thursday that he’s “obviously not” satisfied with his production in Year 1 of the five-year, $85MM mega-deal he inked as a free agent in the offseason (via Tom Rock of Newsday). Vernon, whose contract includes $52MM in guarantees, has just one sack in seven games this season, though the ex-Dolphin has been playing with a hand injury. “I would like him to be 100 percent, but I am not so sure it is there right now,” said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. To his credit, Vernon has played in just under 91 percent of the Giants’ defensive snaps this year. He also ranks a solidly above-average 19th among Pro Football Focus’ 111 qualified edge defenders in overall performance.
Giants Audition Myke Tavarres
- The Giants tried out rookie undrafted free agent linebacker Myke Tavarres , per Caplan (Twitter link). This marks the second time they have worked him out.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/31/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Ed Eagan, TE Manasseh Garner
New York Giants
- Signed: RB George Winn