EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The newest member of the New York Giants, former first-round pick and wide receiver Corey Coleman, doesn’t want to dwell on his past.
“I don’t want to talk about all that,” Coleman said. “I’ve left that all behind.”
The 24-year-old Coleman was promoted to the Giants’ 53-man roster Thursday after former All-Pro defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison was officially traded to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round draft pick. Coleman was promoted to take Harrison’s spot on the roster.
“This organization wanted me and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here,” Coleman said before the Giants practiced before hosting the Washington Redskins on Sunday. “I just want to contribute in some way. I think this organization fits me well.”
Coleman has had a bumpy ride so far this season.
During training camp in August, the former Cleveland Browns’ first-round selection out of Baylor (No. 15 overall) in the 2016 draft was unhappy with the way he was being used by Browns coach Hue Jackson and expressed his displeasure to Jackson and Browns general manager John Dorsey.
The conversation between Coleman, Jackson and Dorsey was highlighted on the HBO series “Hard Knocks”. Days after meeting with Jackson and Dorsey, Coleman was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a seventh-round draft pick in the 2020 draft.
Coleman’s tenure with the Bills was extremely brief. He lasted just two weeks and didn’t make it to the final cuts by the Bills and was released Sept. 1.
Ten days later, Coleman was signed by the New England Patriots, but his time with the Patriots was also brief. He was released Sept. 17 after the Patriots traded to get Coleman’s former Browns teammate Josh Gordon.
Three days later, Coleman was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad and nine days after that, Coleman was released.
Coleman was out of football for most of October after making tryout visits with several teams. Last week, Coleman was signed to the Giants practice squad and after the Giants had receivers Jawill Davis and Russell Shepard get hurt, Coleman was promoted to the active roster in time for Sunday’s game.
Coleman said he’s ready to be a factor right away if called upon.
“It was frustrating to go through all of this, but I had to keep the faith and keep working,” Coleman said. “I felt like I would get another chance.”
Giants coach Pat Shurmur said that it will take some time for Coleman to fit in.
“We’re going to try to get him up to speed,” Shurmur said. “First, obviously, he’ll help on special teams, then try to get him in on our offensive sets as well.”
When Coleman was asked if he had a poor reputation because of what transpired on “Hard Knocks”, he wasn’t worried.
“Everyone has an opinion about you,” Coleman said. “A lot of people don’t really know me and know the person I am. I can’t change what happened. I now have a new opportunity here and I’m ready to prove to people that I belong.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m not going to sit back and evaluate what happened (in Cleveland). I think I’m always going to have a chip on my shoulder. It’s because I want to play. People who don’t know me can’t judge me.”
In 19 games with the Browns in the 2016-17 seasons, he had 56 catches for 718 yards and five touchdowns.
Coleman wants to make his mark with his new club, albeit the fourth team he’s been with since August.
“I think people are going to see the new version of me,” Coleman said. “I feel like I’m ready to play wherever the coaches want me to play. Sometimes you just have to put your ego to the side. If it was meant for me to go to the practice squad here, then that’s what I had to do.
“Now I have to prove that I’m worthy of being on the team. It’s great to be a part of this receiving corps. It’s a great opportunity.”
NOTES: While the Giants traded two defensive starters in cornerback Eli Apple (to the Saints) and Harrison (Lions) this week, other defensive starters didn’t exactly worry about possibly being traded by the deadline. “Business is business,” said cornerback Janoris Jenkins, one of those rumored to be shopped around the league. “I understand it’s a business. I’ll be here until they tell me differently. I’m not going to worry about what’s going on.” … Rookie RB Saquon Barkley is looking forward to playing against the Redskins and Adrian Peterson. “He’s a special talent,” Barkley said of Peterson, who is having a solid season at age 33. “It’s going to be a thrill to see him play live. He’s a future Hall of Famer.”
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