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September 1, 2003 -- As of last night, the Giants were worried about Rod Babers, a fourth-round draft pick from Texas who was set to be cut from the team this past weekend. Babers did not show up for a team meeting Saturday morning at Giants Stadium and hasn't been heard from since.
"We're worried about his welfare," GM Ernie Accorsi said last night.
Efforts to contact Babers were unsuccessful. Charles Way, the director of player programs, was dispatched to Babers' apartment but found no one home. The voice mail on Babers' cell phone was full and not accepting new messages. The Giants contacted Babers' agent, Jim Steiner, who tried to locate his client.
All players were required to report early Saturday morning. Babers was one of 15 players the Giants planned on cutting, but they never delivered that message to him. It is unclear whether Babers sensed he was in danger of getting lopped off the roster and stayed away. The team was interested in signing him to the practice squad.
Because Babers left the team without permission, the Giants have requested (and are likely to receive) a roster exemption. The team will not have to make a personnel move with Babers until they find him.
Cutting Babers was considered a surprise, as he was highly regarded despite less-than-ideal size. While at Texas he befriended Chris Simms and spent time living with the Simms family in New Jersey prior to the NFL Draft.
"We're worried about his welfare," GM Ernie Accorsi said last night.
Efforts to contact Babers were unsuccessful. Charles Way, the director of player programs, was dispatched to Babers' apartment but found no one home. The voice mail on Babers' cell phone was full and not accepting new messages. The Giants contacted Babers' agent, Jim Steiner, who tried to locate his client.
All players were required to report early Saturday morning. Babers was one of 15 players the Giants planned on cutting, but they never delivered that message to him. It is unclear whether Babers sensed he was in danger of getting lopped off the roster and stayed away. The team was interested in signing him to the practice squad.
Because Babers left the team without permission, the Giants have requested (and are likely to receive) a roster exemption. The team will not have to make a personnel move with Babers until they find him.
Cutting Babers was considered a surprise, as he was highly regarded despite less-than-ideal size. While at Texas he befriended Chris Simms and spent time living with the Simms family in New Jersey prior to the NFL Draft.
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