Corey Washington plays the waiting game on his future
Giants wide receiver Corey Washington makes a 4-yard touchdown reception against Indianapolis Colts' Qua Cox during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Indianapolis. Credit: AP / AJ Mast
Corey Washington left MetLife Stadium on Thursday night without scoring a touchdown. It was the first game of his brief career with the Giants that he was shut out.
"[It felt] just a little strange coming off that four-game streak," the rookie receiver said after having scored in each of the first four games of the preseason, the first three of them providing game-winning points. "A little bittersweet. But we got the win so that's all right."
What would make it really all right would be getting another chance. He'll find out this weekend whether he will. The Giants will cut their roster to 52 players by Saturday afternoon and Washington is on the bubble. He's made some spectacular plays, but he's also a small-school player (Newberry College in South Carolina) who is probably not ready to step in with the starters. He hasn't caught a pass before the fourth quarter in any of the preseason games.
All of which gives him a strange mix of optimism and anxiety as his future is being mulled by the Giants' front office.
"Hopefully I have a great feeling tomorrow," he said on Friday. "Hopefully I make this 53-man roster and I'll be able to provide for my family . . . It's a tough day. Just like how it was draft weekend. It's another wait right now. Just waiting for the best."
Washington got some advice on the waiting game from Victor Cruz as they left the stadium on Thursday.
"Victor Cruz was like, 'I appreciate everything you've done,' " Washington said. "He said, 'You did all you can do. Now it's just a matter of waiting. Good luck with everything. Stay focused.' That calmed my nerves a lot, hearing Victor Cruz say that. It calmed my nerves a lot."
Washington's four touchdowns have raised his profile, but not his expectations. He said he'd be thrilled to even make the Giants' 10-man practice squad if he doesn't make the active roster.
"I wouldn't be disappointed," he said. "That's a dream come true. It doesn't matter, practice squad or active roster, I'm going to do what I have to do to help the guys get wins and get the New York Giants back on top."
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