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New York Giants: 2014 Preseason Darling Will Not Make The Cut

By Kenneth Teape

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The New York Giants were happy to make it through the final preseason game without any more serious injuries to their secondary. But, there were still some injuries that were suffered, namely Corey Washington. Washington was a late scratch because of shoulder injury, which should seal his fate as a roster cut come Saturday afternoon.

Washington was a preseason darling in 2014 for the Giants, emerging as a playmaker throughout the summer. A big reason for the Giants going 5-0 in the preseason last season was the dominance of Washington. The 6-foot-4 inch, 214 pound receiver dominated whenever he stepped on the field last preseason. He caught 10 passes for 155 yards and four touchdowns, all Giant team highs. He earned a spot on the roster despite his shortcomings on special teams because of the promise he showed as a receiver.

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Coming into this training camp, the Giants were hoping that Washington would show an improvement on special teams and more of a willingness to play them. He came in trying to do more, which was an encouraging sign to see. The Giants wide receiver group was already loaded with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle topping it with Victor Cruz rehabbing from his patellar tendon surgery. Add in free agent Dwayne Harris and 2015 sixth round draft pick Geremy Davis, and the Giants are truly loaded at wide receiver, having maybe one spot up for grabs.

Along with Washington, the Giants also had holdovers such as Preston Parker, who filled in for Cruz last season and returns kicks and punts, and practice teamer Julian Talley. The Giants also signed veteran James Jones at the start of training camp, so Washington was going to truly be in a battle for his roster spot.

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With an improved mindset about playing special teams, Washington had a true shot at making this team. If he came close to producing this year as he did in 2014 in the preseason, the Giants would find it tough to not keep him around. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

Washington only recorded three receptions for 25 yards. All of those stats came in the first two games of the preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars. He did not record any stats against the New York Jets in the regular season rehearsal, which was already a bad sign for his chances of making the final roster.

The last nail in the coffin though was his inability to get on the field for the final preseason game against the New England Patriots Thursday, in which the Giants won 12-9 in a field goal battle. He was a late scratch because of a shoulder injury and it severely cost him. While he was on the sideline in street clothes, his competition was showing why they should make the roster ahead of him.

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Jones and Davis were consistent, reliable weapons for quarterback Ryan Nassib Thursday. the veteran Jones reeled in four receptions for 39 yards, while Davis added three catches for 65 yards, including a nice 40-yard reception up the sideline to set up the Giants second field goal of the game.

Both should have roster spots locked up with these performances. Being a veteran, Jones should make the roster with questions surrounding Cruz’s health. He has experience playing in the slot, and also playing with offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, as the two were together with the Green Bay Packers.

Davis showed enough as a wide receiver to warrant a roster spot, as he was nearly a lock because of his draft status and performance on special teams. Think Domenik Hixon or David Tyree as the type of player that Davis has shown he could be.

With both of those players showing well in the preseason, it will more than likely squeeze Washington out of a roster spot. Being unable to play in the final game will ultimately be what costs him, as he was unable to provide anymore reasons for the coaching staff to hold onto him, while his main competition in Jones and Davis did just that.

The performance from 2014 will only carry Washington so far, as it seems more than likely that he will be looking for a new place of employment come this weekend.

Next: 5 Standouts From Preseason Finale

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