Dan Graziano, senior NFL national reporter 11y

Bradshaw, Canty latest Giants cuts

Today's cuts could not have been easy for the New York Giants, who are quite fond of running back Ahmad Bradshaw but apparently could not stomach the idea of paying him $3.75 million this year and $4 million in 2014 when his feet keep needing surgery. Per our man Adam Schefter, the Giants informed Bradshaw on Wednesday that he was being released.

Jenny Vrentas of The Star-Ledger also reports that defensive tackle Chris Canty has been released. Canty was due $6.25 million this year and $6.5 million in 2014.

The Giants need cap money to attempt to re-sign several of their own free agents, including safety Kenny Phillips, offensive linemen Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe and, with Bradshaw gone, probably running back Andre Brown. There are other cuts on the horizon, with veteran offensive lineman David Diehl and cornerback Corey Webster remaining as possible cap casualties as the Giants undergo something of a roster overhaul at the start of this offseason. They cut linebacker Michael Boley on Tuesday.

I think Bradshaw finds work somewhere. He's still one of the most complete running backs in the league -- a power back with good vision who's as good at blitz pickup as anyone in the NFL. The concern is that his feet can't stay healthy, and his latest surgery is going to keep him out for the next couple of months. Look for someone to give him a shot come training camp. Canty can surely help someone as well, as be brings interior pass rush along with his run-stopping ability, but not for that kind of salary.

The Giants will hope to fill in with younger players they've been working on developing, with someone like Marvin Austin perhaps moving up to a larger role at defensive tackle. Second-year running back David Wilson, along with Brown, is likely to see an increased workload with Bradshaw gone, though you can expect the Giants to add at that position as well, since they believe it's important to have quality depth there.

Much more on this to come, obviously, as the Giants are slashing and appear on the cusp of a very interesting offseason.

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