Giants release linebacker Blake Martinez
Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez leaves the field during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Aug. 6. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Blake Martinez was so ingrained in the fabric of last year’s Giants that he appeared as a super hero on the cover of the Marvel comic book designed for the team.
But Martinez took a pay cut insisted upon by the new front office in the offseason, lost his “green dot” responsibility calling the defense on the field in the spring, and was not named a captain this week after wearing the 'C' on his uniform for the first two years of his tenure with the Giants. There wasn’t much more to take away from the inside linebacker coming back from a torn ACL.
Until Thursday. On Thursday they took his roster spot.
Martinez was released to make room for the waiver acquisition of offensive lineman Tyre Phillips from the Ravens. Although he appeared to be healthy, Martinez never quite jibed with the new coaching regime in terms of playing style and philosophies and, according to a source, agreed that his departure was probably for the best to allow him to pursue other opportunities.
Martinez was not at the team’s practice on Wednesday – the team said he was excused to attend to personal matters – but he was back on the field with the team Thursday before the decision was reached.
The move has a minimal impact on the Giants’ beleaguered finances since most of Martinez’s cap number of $7.5 million came from the prorated bonus he received when he signed as a free agent in 2020.
Without Martinez, who had four straight seasons with 144 tackles or more and 151 for the Giants in 2020, the inside linebacker room is very young and inexperienced. Tae Crowder, who led the team in tackles a year ago, is the most established player in the group with rookie Micah McFadden and training camp standout Austin Calitro likely to see most of the snaps. Carter Coughlin and Cam Brown are listed at the position but mostly special teamers. The Giants had hoped rookie Darrian Beavers would be around for the season but he tore his ACL in the second preseason game.
NOTES & QUOTES: The Giants will add rookie WR Kalil Pimpleton to their practice squad after a workout on Thursday, the NFL Network reported. Pimpleton was waived by the Lions after training camp where he was one of the breakout stars of “Hard Knocks” … K Graham Gano said he has cleared concussion protocols and is good to play in Week 1.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
