Reporter for Giants Beat Isn’t Discounting Vet Reunion: “Seems Like an Obvious Move”
During training camp, the New York Giants have done a respectable job of adding enough depth to their 90-man roster to provide competitive play.
That being said, Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes that running back is one of the positions that might still utilize a late-offseason acquisition. In a June 17 53-man roster projection, Duggan stated, “Five running backs aren’t enough to get through training camp, so a veteran addition is likely in the coming weeks.”
The NYG beat reporter said, “Re-signing Matt Breida seems like an obvious move to provide depth and experience to a young group.” implying that Breida might subsequently join the 53-man roster in place of 2023 draft pick Eric Gray and starter Devin Singletary as the fourth ball carrier and rookie fifth rounder Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Of course, the reunion could also simply serve as an extra camp body as well, with little financial guarantees needed to secure the seven-year NFL pro.
What Does Matt Breida Still Bring to the Table?
Breida has been with Daboll since 2021, following the NYG head coach over from the Buffalo Bills. Needless to say, the two main traits he brings to the table are familiarity and a veteran presence.
As a runner, Breida regressed mightily in 2023. His yards per carry clip plummeted from 4.1 YPC in 2022 to just 2.7 YPC a season ago. And in Buffalo, the veteran averaged 4.8 YPC, so this drop-off spans back further than one year.
Where Breida could help the Giants is as a third-down back and mentor to Tracy.
The 29-year-old knows how to pass protect and find space as a pass-catcher out of the backfield — two areas Tracy will likely be working on this summer. Sure, Singletary could also assist the rookie RB who converted from wide receiver in college, but why not add Breida if the cost is insignificant?
As stated above, a place on the 53-man roster is no guarantee, even if the Giants make a move to reunite with the staff favorite ball carrier.
Feel Good Story Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller Up Against Challenging Roster Crunch With Giants
With or without Breida, Duggan predicted that the Giants would cut running backs Jashaun Corbin and unique rookie signing Dante “Turbo” Miller.
“Miller is a great story who has generated buzz, but he has six collegiate carries since the 2021 season,” Duggan reasoned. Continuing: “The Giants should be able to get the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder safely to the practice squad barring a breakout preseason.”
Finally, he added that “the ticket to a roster spot for Miller would be as a returner, but the Giants have more experienced options for that role” — referencing wide receivers Isaiah McKenzie and Gunner Olszewski. That feels like a fair assessment at this stage of the offseason.
His initial plan was to spend two years with South Carolina — buried on the depth chart — and make one final NFL push as an impact contributor with the Gamecocks in 2023. Only, a “miscalculation by South Carolina’s compliance department” robbed Miller of that 2023 season according to On 3 reporter Andy Staples.
“As far as Miller and the people in South Carolina’s football office understood, he had two years,” Staples explained. “That was how his eligibility was communicated between the compliance office and the football staff.”
“South Carolina officials didn’t realize they’d made a mistake until Miller had played sparingly in six games in 2022,” the writer continued. Miller was not allowed to play for two years. He may play one for two years. He would have to redshirt the first season in order to play two seasons at South Carolina. Additionally, players must play in just four games before redshirting in the NCAA.
In other words, Miller lost out on his chance to play for the Gamecocks, and after completing his master’s degree in sports management in 2023, he was later declared eligible for the 2024 draft. The quick free agent “rookie,” who received a bad deal the previous two seasons, was thus taken advantage of by the Giants.
