Looks like we won’t have a hometown favorite to cheer for at Giants games this season: The team has waived Verona native Dan DePalma.
DePalma, who had been trying for a wide receiver or special teams spot, was among 13 players trimmed by the Giants as they finalized their 53-man roster yesterday. D.J. Ware and Greg Jones were let go, as was wide receiver David Douglas, defensive ends Craig Marshall and Matt Broha, defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks, linebacker Jake Muasau, tight end Larry Donnell, offensive linemen Matt McCants, Selvish Capers and Stephen Goodin, quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and defensive back Laron Scott. The Giants put Terrell Thomas and Shaun Rogers on injured reserve.
DePalma’s mastery of Wes Welker’s playing style has been widely credited as a factor in the Giants’ win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl this past February. That may have been on Coach Tom Coughlin’s mind as he made this statement in the Giants’ press release:
“It’s always difficult to release players that have been here and have really worked hard and have earned our respect and our admiration,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “Those are guys like Dwayne Hendricks, who I have great respect for, and DePalma, who has worked hard for us for a couple of years and has done a good job. Isaiah Stanback is another guy who has done an outstanding job here and worked hard and really gained our respect.”
DePalma could be picked up by another pro team, or he might find his way back to the Giants’ practice squad.
Photo © David Kaptein. Used by permission.
UPDATE: Mike Eisen, a senior writer for the Giants, is now saying that the practice squad does not include DePalma either.
