Ahmad Bradshaw Leaves 'Door Open' For Return To Giants
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Ahmad Bradshaw "kind of saw it coming." The running back was released by the Giants on Wednesday, along with defensive tackle Chris Canty, in the team's latest salary cap-saving moves.
According to Bradshaw, the Giants told him they "had to move on," but mentioned "future possibilities" with the team.
So could he be back in blue?
"Like I said, it was mentioned," Bradshaw told WFAN host Mike Francesa on Wednesday. "(There's) always a door open on my side."
Ahmad Bradshaw
Bradshaw, who has had knee and ankle injuries, was to earn $4.25 million. He became expendable with the play of rookie David Wilson. Canty, who had knee issues with the Giants after never missing a game with Dallas, was to earn $6.5 million next season.
"I kind of saw it coming, maybe sooner or later -- I didn't know when," Bradshaw said. "I'm just looking toward the next thing happening. The only hard part is that I'm leaving the family, a great family that I've learned to love in the Giants organization."
The 26-year-old, who played on two Super Bowl championship teams with the Giants, led the team in rushing each of the past three seasons, gaining 1,015 this past season.
"Pound for pound, Bradshaw is one of the toughest football players that I've been around," said general manager Jerry Reese, who took Bradshaw with the 250th pick in the 2007 draft. "Ahmad played football like Giants football should be played."
Bradshaw is sixth on the franchise's career rushing list with 4,232 yards and seventh with 921 rushing attempts. He rushed for 32 touchdowns, the ninth-highest total in team history.
In his six seasons, he played in 84 regular-season games with 33 starts. He also caught 132 passes for 1,087 yards and three touchdowns.
"Bradshaw has great toughness," head coach Tom Coughlin said. "He plays through anything. He doesn't just talk about playing hurt. He does play hurt. If anyone knows the quality of this man's pain threshold, all you need to do is watch him on a Monday when he can't even walk. He gets a little better on Tuesday, a little better on Wednesday. By Thursday his spirits are back up and whether he can or he can't, he's telling you he's practicing on Friday, and he does. And he plays on Sunday. And he goes through the same cycle. He did that for two or three years."
The Giants also waived defensive tackle Martin Parker, who spent this past season on injured reserve with a back injury. The team on Tuesday released linebacker Michael Boley, who had shoulder and hamstring injuries last season. He was to make $4 million this season.
Do you see a scenario where Bradshaw is back with the Giants? Be heard in the comments...
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