Ahmad Bradshaw Cut, Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: NFL Free Agent Sacked by NY, Not Surprised, Coughlin Reflects on Star Running Back

Ahmad Bradshaw is no longer a running back for the New York Giants after 6 seasons and 2 Super Bowl wins.  Bradshaw, who turns 27 in a month, scored the Super Bowl winning touchdown with 57 seconds left in 2012, leading the New York Giants to a second ring with him on the team. He ranks sixth on the Giants' all time career rushing list with 4,232 yards and one of six Giants with at least 3,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Unfortunately, his usually reliable skills have deteriorated into missed practices due to foot problems.

The news comes as no surprise to the young running back. He understands, stating:

"I saw it coming because of the money. Everything is about money, I guess, so, yes, I was expecting it. I'm not discouraged at all. I'm just looking toward getting healthy and working with somebody else. That is all I can do. The Giants fans will always be remembered and always be loved. This is where I started and I just want to thank everybody for their support. Hopefully, I'll be back soon."

Chris Canty and Michael Boley, both 30 years old, were also cut this week. The reason for these cuts is mainly just to save money. Now that Bradshaw has been let go, the Giants are counting heavily on David Wilson, their first-round draft choice last year. Wilson set a franchise record with 1,533 kickoff-return yards while rushing for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns last season.

Problems with ball security and pass protection have since thrown his progress off the rails. Andre Brown is another hope for the Giants' empty slot. That is, if he can recover from a fractured fibula he suffered on November 25, 2012.

New York Giants Coach, Tom Coughlin, felt it appropriate to address the Bradshaw cut wit the following statement from team's website:

"Ahmad Bradshaw was drafted 250th in a class of 255 and to excel and to perform the way that he has, and to accomplish what he has, is a great tribute to him. He is not only an exceptional football player, but he is the epitome of line up and play. Regardless of the circumstances, he's going to give you everything he's got. If you give the ball to him, he's going to get every inch of what is there - and sometimes when it's not blocked, he still gets it.

"Ahmad Bradshaw has been an incredible part of two world championship teams here. (The second-quarter) play is going to be one of the least-talked about plays in his much-talked about and revered years here as a New York Giant. It could be the biggest play in the Super Bowl XLII win. This guy goes down in a pile and takes the ball away from a Patriot player who has it in his hands. It was an incredible play. The guy has the ball and Bradshaw goes down and gets the ball and it's our ball. Rather than losing the ball to Tom Brady and that high-scoring offensive team, he saves the day with that play. Just an incredible football play.

"Bradshaw has great toughness. 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."