Getty New York Giants assistant Brett Bielema hired as head coach at Illinois.
Two-time Pro Bowler Zak DeOssie, the New York Giants‘ starting long snapper for much of the last 13 seasons, including two Super Bowl runs, opted to call it a career earlier this offseason. So it’s only right that the G-Men would seek out a player with even more hardware to potentially take his place.
The Giants announced the signing of long snapper Carson Tinker on Wednesday, who won three BCS National Championships during his collegiate days at the University of Alabama. In a corresponding move, New York opted to waive rookie tight end Rysen John with an injury designation.
Tinker Has Been Productive, When Healthy
An undrafted free agent in 2013, the 6-foot and 237-pound Tinker caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie, where he quickly carved out a role. Tinker would go on to serve as Jacksonville’s primary long snapper in every game from 2013 through 2016. His most prolific campaign came back in 2015 when he finished second on the team with six special teams tackles.
Unfortunately, Tinker’s ironman status came to an end in 2017 when a torn ACL in training camp landed him on season-ending IR. He returned to the Jags lineup the following season, yet lasted only five games before an injury to his repaired knee forced him back to the IR. Tinker has not taken an NFL snap since the 2018 season.
Tinker now joins former Denver Broncos Pro Bowler Casey Kreiter as the Giants’ two long snappers on the roster.
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John’s Upside Could Land Him Back in NY
Rysen John was one of the more intriguing young talents on the entire Giants roster this offseason. Unfortunately, Big Blue’s desire to transition the monstrous 6-foot-7-inch Canadian wide receiver to tight end didn’t pan out quite how they had hoped.
Plagued by a hamstring injury for much of camp, John did not participate in the team’s Blue-White scrimmage this past Friday. An exhibition which may have served as John’s final bid for a roster spot, as extra snaps were up for grabs following the Giants’ decision to rest starter Evan Engram.
The rookie still possesses tremendous upside and could pique the team’s interest as a potential practice squad stash later down the road. John dominated during his career at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. The then-wideout started all four years for the SFU Clan football team, yet saved his best for last. The Canada native hauled in 53 receptions for 861 receiving yards as a senior, averaging 86.1 yards per game and scoring 10 touchdowns. John’s brilliance on the football field helped earn him Offensive Player of the Year and Team MVP honors for SFU.
Despite the departure of John, the Giants are still left with quite a few bodies at the tight end position. Levine Toilolo, Garrett Dickerson and Eric Tomlinson will likely battle for the third tight end spot behind the aforementioned Evan Engram and Kaden Smith.
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