NFL

Kiwanuka ‘surprised’ at Giants cutting Bradshaw, Boley, Canty

Mathias Kiwanuka was surprised when he learned that his friends Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty and Michael Boley were released and believes the Giants will miss their contributions both on and off the field.

The Giants linebacker admitted on Thursday morning that he was taken aback when he heard the news that the team had cut Boley, Bradshaw and Canty, all key contributors in the team’s Super Bowl title in 2011.

“You’re definitely surprised because you’re talking about contributors, guys who were key factors in helping us win championships very recently,” Kiwanuka said at Franklin K. Lane High School. “It’s tough. You’re talking about a couple of guys, Ahmad, Boley and Canty that I was personally friends with. I’ve gotten to know them over the years as great guys…and you never want to see them leave a team.”

While all three players were key contributors during their time with the Giants, Bradshaw was the most noteworthy and surprising cut made by the team. The 26-year-old running back has led the team in rushing yards in each of the past three seasons and was a member of both Super Bowl-winning squads.

Bradshaw recently underwent another surgery on his right foot, which has been an issue for him throughout his Giants career, and with the emergence of 2012 first-round pick David Wilson at the end of last season, he seemed to see the roster move coming.

“With David there, Andre there they may have what they’re looking for with them and may be light on cash,” Bradshaw said last week in New Orleans.

Boley and Canty each came to the Giants in 2009 as free agents and were key cogs in a Giants defense that was considered one of the NFL’s best prior to the 2012 season.

With the departure of the three, not only is the on-field personnel expected to look drastically different, but the locker room feel will change as well.

“The chemistry in the locker room is going to be different,” Kiwanuka said. “It’s different year to year, but you take a guy like Chris Canty out of the d-line, it’s going to change things. You take a guy like Michael Boley out of the linebacker room, it’s going to change things. You’re talking about two individuals who are very intelligent, who understood what they did and were kind of like player coaches on the field.”

By releasing Bradshaw, Boley and Canty, the Giants saved $13.75 million and are projected to be about $3 million under the 2013 salary cap.

The Giants’ defense was in need of revamping after finishing 31st in the league in total defense last season. Kiwanuka, who has alternated between playing defensive line and outside linebacker for the majority of his pro career, is ready to step up and believes there are younger players who are ready to answer the call as well.

“Whatever happens, whatever’s best for this team and best to get me out there on the field, I’m ready to do it,” Kiwanuka said. “I think in that linebacker role, a guy like Spencer Paysinger, a guy we haven’t seen a lot of, he’s ready. He’s not going to need a lot of time to get accustomed to it. I think if they decide to put him in there, he’s ready to play. Also we have Chase Blackburn in there and a number of guys. On the defensive line I think we’ll still be strong.”

The losses to to the Giants defense may continue to come as the status of Osi Umenyiora is still very much uncertain. The 31-year-old is a free agent and while he wants to remain a Giant, there may not be a place for him with the team financially.

“He’s another guy who has got another four or five years of great football left in him,” Kiwanuka said. “He can be a starting defensive end for a number of teams. I’d love to have him back, he’s another guy I’m friends with, but I know if it doesn’t happen he’ll be out there on the field elsewhere.”

Despite all of the roster moves and teammate departures, Kiwanuka understands that it all boils down to business and all of the players involved in the recent moves will land on their feet.

“We know that we’re playing on borrowed time throughout our careers,” Kiwanuka said. “I know all of them will land on their feet. This is the NFL, it happens every single year. For those guys who got let go, I just hope we don’t have to see them too early.”

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Kiwanuka was on hand at Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn to congratulate the varsity football team on winning the city championship over Stuyvesant to win the PSAL Cup Division championship.

The former Boston College standout addressed the students alongside the American Dairy Association, which will donate money to purchase championship rings for the student-athletes.

asulla-heffinger @nypost.com