WFAN will for sure have a brand-new voice in this year’s Giants Report, as Big Blue made a seemingly-shocking move on Thursday by releasing middle linebacker Blake Martinez.
The team’s release of Martinez coincided with claiming OL Tyre Phillips, who was released Wednesday by the Baltimore Ravens.
Martinez was a force in the middle in 2020 after joining the Giants from Green Bay, starting all 16 games and recording 151 tackles. However, he suffered a torn ACL against Atlanta last September and played in just three games, and he had two tackles in two preseason games in his return last month.
Releasing Martinez saves the Giants $3 million, and also swaps out a roster spot for a player who maybe never found a role in Wink Martindale’s new defense – and per Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record, Martinez’s release isn’t a typical vested veteran cut, but instead the two sides will part ways.
Of interest is that Martinez restructured his deal this spring, and also missed Wednesday’s practice due to what the team called a personal matter. Barely 24 hours later he is gone, a move that has led to some on Twitter to wonder if there is more than meets the eye when it comes to just salary savings.
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Martinez and Logan Ryan were the pair featured in WFAN’s weekly Giants interview segment in 2020, with a combination of players (notably Kyle Rudolph) joining last season after Martinez was injured and Ryan missed time due to COVID.
Phillips was a third-round pick in 2020 and played 22 games (13 starts) for the Ravens, making his starts at right guard (six), right tackle (six), and left guard (one), plus two more postseason starts at RT. He played 10 games last season, but had two separate stints on IR due to a knee injury.
Still, his versatility will be a boost to a Giants line that is without Nick Gates and Matt Peart indefinitely (on the PUP list), lost nominal starting left guard Shane Lemieux for at least four weeks after he was placed on IR Wednesday due to a foot issue, and sees another versatile piece, rookie Joshua Ezeudu, banged up and questionable for Week 1.
The Giants also claimed OL Jack Anderson off waivers from the Eagles this week as well.
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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