By Paul Schwartz
When the Giants gather today for their first post-season practice they will do so with two new players on their roster. They signed CB Rashad Barksdale off their practice squad and LB Rich Scanlon off the street.
Barksdale replaces veteran Sam Madison, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve after breaking his right ankle in the third quarter of last Sunday’s loss in Minnesota. Scanlon replaces linebacker Edmond Miles, who was waived.
The 6-foot, 208-pound Barksdale is the first player from the University at Albany – where the Giants have held training camp since 1996 – signed to the Giants active roster. He spent last season with the Chiefs and was originally a 2007 sixth-round draft pick of the Eagles. After a two-year baseball career at Albany, Barksdale played just one season of football, making the team as a walk-on.