At the start of training camp, the chances of Corey Washington finding his way onto the Giants’ final roster were slightly better than none, but probably worse than slim. He was a lanky, baby-faced receiver from a school (Newberry College) few heard of, went undrafted and then was signed and cut by the Cardinals within two weeks.
Washington sure looked like camp fodder but he stayed healthy, stayed on the field, made plays in practice and improved on special teams. Once the preseason games started, he opened eyes with a game-winning touchdown catch against the Bills in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. It was the first of four fourth-quarter scoring receptions — one apiece in the first four games — to show off playmaking potential the Giants couldn’t resist.
In truly a case of a player coming from almost nowhere to make the team, Washington survived Saturday’s round of cuts as the Giants got down to the mandated 53-man limit. Early in the day, he tweeted “Thank God I made it.’’
There will be changes to the Giants’ roster in the days to come but for now, other long shots such as receiver Preston Parker and rookie defensive end Kerry Wynn are on the team. Parker’s worth as a punt returner was his saving grace, especially with first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. still out with a strained hamstring.
“They’re great stories and that’s what this thing is all about,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “When a young guy comes along and they look like they’ve got a high end, you’re excited about it. You can see it on some of these kids’ faces that this means so much to them, and quite frankly it re-energizes me.’’
The Giants needed to make 22 roster moves, and what they’re left with is 24 players who were not on last season’s opening-day roster — a 45-percent turnover.
There were no big surprises. They will go with two quarterbacks, as Ryan Nassib’s impressive summer won him the backup job. It was not expected only three running backs would be kept but that’s the case, as Peyton Hillis stays and both Michael Cox and Kendall Gaskins go.
Veterans Mario Manningham (calf) and Trindon Holliday (hamstring) were placed on injured reserve. The contracts of four vested veterans were terminated: quarterback Curtis Painter, fullback John Conner, tight end Kellen Davis and defensive end Israel Idonije. That means Wynn’s potential beat out Idonije’s experience and Henry Hynoski narrowly beat out Conner in likely the most heated competition.
“Two very good players,” Coughlin said of the fullback battle. “Both guys can play in this league. Very, very close.’’
Six of the seven 2014 draft picks made it. The one that didn’t was cornerback Bennett Jackson, a sixth-round pick likely headed to the practice squad. Tackle Rogers Gaines (shoulder) was waived/injured. Twelve other players were waived, including two — Cox and wide receiver Julian Talley — who were with the Giants in 2013. Also waived: Gaskins, tackles Mark Asper and Adam Gress; guard Jamaal Johnson-Webb; linebackers Terrell Manning and Dan Fox; defensive backs Chandler Fenner and Thomas Gordon; defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles and defensive end Jordan Stanton.
Finally, guard Eric Herman and cornerback Jayron Hosley, both suspended for the first four games of the season, were put on the reserve/suspended list.
The ascension of Nassib this summer allowed the Giants to feel confident about his development and only keep two quarterbacks.
“Ryan Nassib made big strides,” Coughlin said. “What I really liked is he did have a poor preseason game and he came back with two good ones. That showed me he didn’t do it by talking, he did it by working.”
Third-year tight end Adrien Robinson didn’t do a whole lot to make the team, but he’s a former fourth-round draft pick and that afforded him the benefit of the doubt at the expense of Davis.
“Hard decisions, they’re very hard decisions,” Coughlin said of the tight ends.
If the Giants want to use their one-and-only short-term injured reserve/designated for return on guard Geoff Schwarz, who is out at least a month with a dislocated right big toe, that move cannot be made until Tuesday.
Linebacker Jon Beason was activated off the physically unable to perform list and is scheduled to practice Monday after missing all of training camp and the five preseason games with a right foot injury.
“You need that kind of dynamic leadership,’’ Coughlin said. “The guy loves the game, he loves to play it. He’ll have the biggest smile on his face come Monday when he trots out there.”