NFC East: Giants fans beg for James Bradberry back as CB Aaron Robinson struggles in camp
One team’s cap casualty can be another team’s saving grace. It’s not always the case, but it certainly reigns true with the current cornerback situation with the Giants and Eagles.
James Bradberry was one of the lone bright spots for the Giants over the past two seasons. He managed to rack up 101 tackles, 35 passes defended, and seven interceptions during his two-year stint in the Big Apple.
Due to the cap mess former GM Dave Gettleman left the Giants with, the current front office was forced to make a handful of tough roster decisions. Among them was the release of Bradberry, whom the Eagles swooped in to acquire just days after he hit the open market.
DraftKings Sportsbook: Bet $5, Win $200 INSTANTLY
- Sign up for a new DraftKings account
- Make Your First Deposit
- Bet $5+ On Any NFL or College Football market
- Get $200 In Free Bets Instantly
Now, the Eagles have one of the best CB tandems in the NFL with Bradberry locking down one half of the field and Darius Slay on the other. New York, on the other hand, is facing a potential crisis in their secondary now that Bradberry is no longer a part of it.
In classic New York Giants fashion, the organization did absolutely nothing to fill the vacancy left behind by the Pro Bowl corner. Instead, they’re relying on 2021 third-round pick Aaron Robinson to step up and fill the void. The early returns on the second-year corner have been underwhelming, to put it nicely.
During the Giants first preseason contest against New England, Robinson was routinely picked on by the Patriots passing attack. He was targeted five times in coverage, allowing three receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown. Robinson also committed two penalties in his 14 snaps of action, one taunting penalty and a holding penalty, which was declined for a touchdown.
All in all, New England’s quarterbacks posted a 128.3 passer rating when throwing in Robinson’s direction and he finished the night with a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 42.8.
Unfortunately for New York, they don’t really have anyone else they can turn to in their cornerback room. Rookie Cordale Flott would be the most logical choice, but he sustained a groin injury against New England and figures to be the starting nickel corner when healthy.
As Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post puts it, “The hard truth is that the Giants are in a roster position where they must ask too much too soon of too many young players and live with the results.”
Robinson’s struggles only further illuminate the vacancy left behind by Bradberry. With his new team in the Eagles, Bradberry has shined in the CB2 role, leaving Giants fans in a depressive state that they’ve grown far too accustomed to over the past few years.
Giants fans coping over the loss of Bradberry
Must be tough seeing your hated rival constantly get the better of you when it comes to roster construction.
Snagging Bradberry from New York was just the latest example. During the 2021 NFL Draft, Howie Roseman traded up ahead of the Giants to grab the player everyone knew New York had their eyes on, WR DeVonta Smith.
Never forget.
You really hate to see it. But then again, I’m an Eagles fan, so I actually love to see it.
Since 2017, the Giants have posted a putrid 22-59 win-loss record, tied for the worst record in the NFL during that time. Based on the sad state of affairs on Giants Twitter, it doesn’t seem like their fanbase expects their team to turn a corner anytime soon.
Mandatory Credit: Mark Brown | Getty Images
