Training camp is a chance for many players to make a name for themselves and earn a spot on an NFL roster. For others, training camp is the end of the road, where lackluster talents are handed their walking papers and wished the best of luck in their future endeavors.
Every year there are a number of players who enter camp with the understanding that they must do everything in their power to ensure their place on the team. The New York Giants have a lot of holes to fill, but plenty of talent with backs up against the wall.
Here’s a look at those players who find themselves on the roster bubble heading into training camp:
Tyler Sash, S
Tyler Sash has been a popular player for the Giants since joining the team as a sixth-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He has been a dependable presence on special teams, but has been unable to earn playing time on the defensive squad.
With the emergence of Stevie Brown last season, as well as the additions of Ryan Mundy and rookie Cooper Taylor, Sash’s window could be closing quickly. The Giants currently have seven safeties on the roster — at least one of those players is going to get cut.
Sash didn’t help his cause when he was suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season for using the prescription drug, Adderall, though he maintained that it was under doctor’s orders. Fortunately, his propensity for strong performances on special teams could keep him in New York for 2013, but there is a strong possibility that the G-Men may move in a different direction.
Matt McCants, OL
Matt McCants is entering just his second NFL training camp, but there appears to be little room for an offensive lineman who has shown minimal growth — and needs to do a lot, both literally and figuratively.
He is an undersized, raw talent who will require time to develop into a capable pro lineman and the numbers game is not in his favor. Unlike most of the Giants’ linemen, McCants is not particularly versatile and does not offer the team the options they seek from him.
Da’Rel Scott, RB
There are few players in the NFL as fast as former Maryland Terrapin running back Da’Rel Scott. Yet the third-year athlete is running out of time to prove his worth with the Giants.
Scott has carried the ball just six times in two seasons, while watching guys like oft-injured, former practice squad member Andre Brown force himself into the rotation at running back. Scott appeared in just four games in 2012 and saw his kick return duties stripped in favor of rookie David Wilson.
Wilson and Brown are expected to shoulder the load in the running game; and veteran Ryan Torain and seventh-round draft pick Michael Cox both seem to offer more to the team than Scott at this time.
Current circumstances do not appear to favor Scott unless he has an unforgettable performance in camp.
Jerrel Jernigan, WR
Speedy receiver Jerrel Jernigan was thought to be a potential cut risk when the Giants entered training camp in 2012. The 24-year-old survived, but he may not be so lucky this year.
The Giants boast a lot of depth at the wide receiver position. When Victor Cruz missed time at volunteer OTAs, Jernigan saw time in his slot role. Unfortunately, Cruz signed a hefty new deal and will be back with the team during training camp.
On top of that, the Giants also added Louis Murphy in the offseason and it’s likely that he will see a brunt of the reps behind Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, along with second-year player Rueben Randle. At best, Jernigan looks like the team’s fifth receiver, and he could find some stiff competition at the spot from guys on the roster like Ramses Barden, Kris Adams, Brandon Collins and Jeremy Horne.
Jernigan’s safest bet to make the team would be to prove he can be depended on to handle return duties. He’ll be in competition with Randle — among others — for both the kick and punt return roles, as it’s expected that David Wilson will be used primarily as the feature running back.
Marvin Austin, DT
Marvin Austin has hardly played any meaningful football since the 2009 season at the University of North Carolina. Though a big, physical force for the Tar Heels, Austin has been unable to catch a break with the G-Men since joining the team in 2011.
He appeared in eight game games last season, but much of his playing time was seen in meaningless moments. He recorded just eight tackles and his presence went mostly unnoticed.
The 24-year-old defensive tackle now finds himself in a battle for playing time with a large group of players. Veterans like two-year starter Linval Joseph, Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson, Shaun Rogers, Markus Kuhn will be competing for the position as well as big 2013 draft pick Johnathan Hankins.
Patience could be running thin for this disappointing former second-round pick and the only thing that may save his spot with the New York Giants would be a phenomenal performance at training camp.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.