The advice is simple enough. To defy the odds, to claim one of the precious roster spots, a rookie who was not selected in the NFL Draft must show himself to be special, in one way or another.
“The way the people make teams, naturally, is to be an outstanding something,” coach Tom Coughlin said.
With only four draft picks this year, the Giants 2005 draft class picture was hardly cramped this past Friday, when the four posed for the media guide shot.
It’s likely all four – cornerback Corey Webster, defensive end Justin Tuck, running back Brandon Jacobs and defensive end Eric Moore – will make the team, one way or another. Others who participated in this past weekend’s rookie mini-camp also will find their way onto the roster, because every year, a handful of first-year players who were not drafted manage to stick.
That’s why, at the start of the camp, Coughlin read aloud to the group the following statistic: 56 college free agents made NFL rosters last September.
“There is a great opportunity for these kids,” Coughlin said. “They just have to realize it.”
A year ago, Curtis Deloatch, James Maxwell, Curry Burns and T.J. Hollowell replaced the hurt of not getting drafted with the thrill of not getting cut by the Giants.
This time around, of all the undrafted hopefuls, safety James Butler from Georgia Tech might have the best chance to stick. If the Giants had owned a seventh-round pick, Butler would have been the choice.
Rangy at 6-3 and 210 pounds, Butler was a first-team All-ACC player the past two years. He said he thought he might get drafted as early as the third round and that getting bypassed did create doubt in his mind.
“I ain’t coming in with chips and all that. I’m just coming in to make the team,” Butler said. “I have tremendous respect for the other players in the NFL and what they have accomplished. I just want to get in here, learn the system, keep my mouth shut, just show ’em I’m a consistent player, I work hard. That’s what coaches look for.”
The Giants also are intrigued with Ryan Grant, a running back who was just the 13th Notre Dame player to rush for 2,000 yards. He is a local product from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. Grant hopes to excel on special teams and show he’s worth keeping around, perhaps at the expense of either Derrick Ward or veteran Mike Cloud.
“Right now with the rookies the mental focus has to be hard for a lot of guys because they’re installing a lot of stuff, a lot of people aren’t used to that,” Grant said, “so we need to stick together and work with each other.”
Diamond Ferri, a short (5-10) but stout (223 pounds) and exotic-sounding safety from Syracuse, was a college teammate of David Tyree’s, the Giants receiver who earned a roster spot two years ago almost exclusively for his ability on special teams.
“That gives me incentive; he made his mark on special teams,” said Ferri. “Special teams can open up many doors. I hope it does for me also.”
Next up, in late July, is training camp, the final proving ground for those who weren’t drafted.
