Giants sign 2 more release 1

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Giants Sign Two To Practice Squad

The Giants let go CB Geoffrey Pope

By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

 

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

 

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Three transactions today left the Giants with a full complement of eight players on their practice squad.

 

The Giants added two players to the squad – cornerback Rashad Barksdale and tight end Eric Butler. They terminated the practice squad contract of cornerback Geoffrey Pope.

 

Barskdale, 6-0 and 208 pounds, played in six games last season for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was inactive for the other 10 games. Barksdale finished with nine special teams tackles. He made his NFL debut against Jacksonville on Oct. 7 with one special teams tackle. Barksdale had three tackles vs. Tennessee on Dec. 16 and at the Jets on Dec. 30.

 

Barksdale was a 2007 sixth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles (201st overall pick). He was waived by the Eagles on Sept. 1 and signed by Kansas City the following day. Barksdale played at the University at Albany, where the Giants have held training camp since 1996. He walked on as a fifth-year senior in 2006 and started 10 games, registering 37 tackles (26 solo) and three interceptions.

 

UAlbany Coach Bob Ford:

 

“He is one of those great surprises that you get in your football coaching career. He has a great understanding of the game despite not playing on a competitive level for four years until his senior season. The Giants are getting someone who has great work ethic, good character and a tremendous determination and fighting spirit.

 

“Rashad was outstanding on this level. “He has everything physically and is strong with great instincts and a fierce competitor. He is very confident without stepping over the line.”

 

Butler signed with the Giants on May 7 and remained with the team until he was waived in Saturday’s final cutdown. He caught 50 passes at Mississippi State.

 

Pope was on the Giants’ practice squad the entire 2007 regular season. He was signed to the 53-man roster on Dec. 31 and made his lone NFL appearance in the Giants’ NFC Divisional playoff victory at Dallas on Jan. 13