Coughlin irked at losing Ballard to Belichick

[zoogs]

Jake Ballard is a 3rd-year tight end in the NFL. He signed with the NY Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and broke out in 2011 with 13 starts, 38 receptions, 604 yards, and 4 TDs.

He suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl and was released by the Giants after failing to pass a physical a few days ago.

The New England Patriots promptly snatched him away by filing a waiver claim. Ballard is likely to hit IR this season, but the Patriots will have exclusive rights to him next year -- it is a move made with 2013 in mind. (The Patriots did a similar thing when Denver released S Josh Barrett in 2010. Barrett started four games for New England in 2011).

Anyways, the story here is that Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin is a little bit sad, a little bit frustrated at losing a quality TE like Ballard, and to a TE-rich team such as New England no less.

“Discouraged is a minor description,” Coughlin said when asked how discouraging the news was when he learned of it during minicamp practice on Tuesday afternoon. “Very disappointing. I am not going to have a lot to say about that one, just the fact that we are disappointed. We are very disappointed.”

Coughlin was then asked why the Giants didn’t just keep Ballard on the 90-man roster and not risk losing Ballard on waivers.

“Don’t ask me those questions,” Coughlin responded. “I don’t have the answers for you. We are all disappointed. That’s all.”

http://espn.go.com/b...ballard-to-pats

UMAD?

Really, though. The guy started most of the season and was highly productive for a Super Bowl-winning team last season, and by Coughlin's own admission, "the entire building" felt he would return as a healthy, impact player in 2013. The current roster limit is ninety (90!) players. If you decide you don't have room for that, then don't be surprised when an enterprising franchise decides to accumulate talent.