Heartfelt Goodbyes

With the NFL off season officially underway the Giants have not wasted time getting back to business. Jerry Reese has made several cuts to prepare for free agent signings, and more importantly the revamping of current Giants that he feels deserve to stay. With that being said, fans had to say some sad goodbyes to a trio of Giants who were vital in recent years and a big part of their recent super bowl success. Chris Canty, Michael Boley, and most unfortunately Ahmad Bradshaw. These business decisions may upset loyal fans of big blue, but it's likely for the better as time goes on.

Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for over 1,000 yards last seasons despite the constant agony he's battled throughout his whole career. He contributed consistently in the running game despite missing games and splitting time with Andre Brown and David Wilson. Bradshaw's been a true Giant since being drafted, his heroics as a rookie in the 2007-08 season will never be forgotten. After being benched for fumbling Bradshaw finally got his chance in a game where the Giants were looking to clinch a playoff birth against the Buffalo Bills in absurd weather conditions. With his first actual playing time in months, Bradshaw took his chance and ran eighty-eight yards to propel the Giants into the post season. It was an emphatic run for Ahmad that symbolizes his entire time with the Giants. Running hard, not looking back, and doing whatever it takes to help the team no matter what.

Chris Canty came to the Giants and couldn't have been happier about it after he left the Dallas Cowboys. Canty earned his time on the Giants defensive line right away as he was able to rush passers consistently while lining up between the tackles. But what made Canty a true Giant wasn't what you saw on Sundays. With his earnings as a successful NFL athlete, Canty spends a lot of his free time and hard earned money supporting his charity, the Chris Canty Foundation. The charity went towards enhancing the opportunities of deprived youth in all communities. Chris did whatever he could to help children in need and for that he will forever be a true Giant and will seriously be missed.

Michael Boley instantly made an impact with the Giants defense upon his arrival from the Atlanta Falcons. The Giants were in need of a linebacker that could provide not only a hard run stop and good pass rush, but someone who could drop back in coverage. Boley with his speed and veteran experience did exactly that, he quickly became a reliable field general on the field for the Big Blue D. On the Giants run to Super Bowl XLVI, Boley was the anchor of the defense's scheme on the field. For his leadership, Boley will surely be missed.

All these departures and emotions aside, Jerry Reese has made the right moves so far in this off season. Reese, needing to clear cap space for the team, is not afraid to be reliant on youth in the draft. This experienced coaching staff under Tom Coughlin has the ability to morph rookies rather quickly. Take David Wilson and Reuben Randle for example, who seem to have a controlling fate in this offenses future after one short year. These players that were cut will be missed, but don't be surprised if even more cuts follow as players like Chase Blackburn, Martellus Bennett and Kenny Phillips are all free agents. The Giants goals in this off season are to make sure that receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz are here for a long time. When both these receivers are healthy they feed off each others success and can become a real head ache for opposing secondaries. Now with Randle using his height in the middle of the field, these receivers have potential to be great in the passing game as they were a short season ago on their run to Super Bowl XLVI.

By cutting Boley, Bradshaw, and Canty the Giants have acquired approximately 12 million dollars in cap space. All three of these players were due for upgrades in their contracts that the team frankly just couldn't afford. More space will be provided too as more players will depart from the Giants as the weeks unfold, but it's for the better. Don't forget defensive ends Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul are both going to be free agents at the conclusion of next season. Pierre-Paul likely isn't going anywhere, but as for Tuck, he needs to truly prove that he will be a Giant for the rest of his career. There's no question he wants that, but this upcoming season is extremely pivotal for Tuck's future with the Giants.

After the Giants continue to release players they will likely give Cruz and Nicks some very nice contracts. Following that, the Giants will look to upgrade in the draft, and hopefully a majority of it will be of a defensive nature. The Giants are giving up too many yards, Fewell may argue giving up yards is okay if you keep teams out of the end zone, but that is not what New York Giants football is about. Jason Pierre-Paul led the team last season with a mere 6.5 sacks. That is an embarrassing statistic for Giants football, and that is the biggest change that needs to come if the Giants want to get back to the promise land. If the Giants assess defensive needs through the draft, they will hopefully sign some free agent offensive linemen, likely veterans that they could conceivably rent for a year or two. Offensive tackle Dave Diehl is due for money as well, and after a season where he had a DUI and didn't perform on the field, it seems Diehl's lack of understanding of his priorities may cost him. It wouldn't be surprising if the Giants cut Diehl as well and found someone they could pick up off waivers.

The Giants have a long path of rebuilding ahead of them. But under proper management, the Giants can get right back where they want to be in Super Bowl XLVIII. A Super Bowl in the Meadowlands? Joe Flacco may think that's "retarded" but that's okay because he won't be there. The Giants will want it more than usual this season to potentially play in front of a home crowd on the NFL's most important Sunday. Under quarterback Eli Manning and head coach Tom Coughlin the Giants offense will always stand a substantial chance to make some hey in the post season. If the Giants can survive the challenges and unpredictability of the NFC East, anything is possible. Super Bowl's XLII and XLVI taught Giants fans that and now it's time to get back where this team belongs.

The path to XLVIII starts now...it begins with general manager Jerry Reese who's proved himself over recent years. Giants fans should have faith in the management and organization of this team. They are among the classiest franchises in sports. John Mara nobly keeps his families legacy alive as the third generation of Mara's to help co-own the New York Football Giants.

This tradition is grand, but the Giants are doing whatever they can right now as an organization to get back to the Super Bowl.

The Meadowlands...the Super Bowl...it's the goal at the end of the day, but for now Giants fans, have faith in Reese.