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Giants have rare waiver wire bonzana, invite 15 players to training camp
By "Mike Michaels"

Pre-Season 2098 (Albany, NY) - After a season where the Giants team felt they underachieved, GM Joe Malloy felt it was time for the team to go in a new direction.

'We had a good run, but our team is getting older. No GM likes to have to go through a period like what we're about to go through, but sometimes it's necessary. I've had to go through it before, and it wasn't pretty.'

With a 7-7 record, and the 9th overall pick, the Giants were busy evaluating the draft class for the 2098 season.

'We looked and felt that this wasn't the right class to rack up draft picks, so we figured to give the next two drafts a shot.' Malloy said.

The Giants traded the three players they picked up in this draft for picks in the 2099 draft. Not only did they trade the rookies they drafted, but they made many other trades to stock up on future picks.

'We probably felt that these players that we traded deserve a chance to succeed on teams that are looking to make a run for the championship. We got a lot of value in return for these players at least, and we're going to pay close attention to the college ranks this season. There looks to be some special players at the junior and senior classes, but time will tell if they have special seasons.' Malloy continued.

After this series of trades, the Giants had 15 roster spots, and had to think about how to fill them.

'Hey, you can get some special players sometime in the waiver wire.' Malloy said. 'We're giving 15 players chances to succeed in the long term. We also bought in a couple of veterans that didn't get a fair shake.'

One of them was offensive lineman Anthony Radcliffe.

'I felt that I can contribute as a solid starter in this league.' Radcliffe said. 'I'm happy to have the chance to help develop some of the younger linemen, but I will do my best to help on the field as well. It's nice to still have a chance to show what I can do.'

One player that the Giants did release, defensive lineman Hardy Trapilo, was not picked up by any team in waivers.

'I can't say I'm surprised.' defensive lineman Bob Walters said. 'He had the potential to be a fearsome defensive lineman, if speed was the only factor. I'm surprised he got this far with no work ethic to improve his strength. You can't get by on speed alone in the USAFL.'


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