Ware, Jones top Giants cuts, Thomas, Rogers on IR

The New York Giants have cut two members of their Super Bowl-champion team, releasing running back D.J. and linebacker Greg Jones. The Giants also announced Friday - in reducing their roster to the 53-man limit - that cornerback Terrell Thomas and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers were placed on injured reserve. And veteran cornerback Bruce Johnson, who missed last season with an Achilles' tendon injury and is suffering from a shoulder problem, was waived. The Giants, who open vs. Dallas Wednesday, terminated the contracts of four other veterans: cornerback Dante Hughes, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, wide receiver Isaiah Stanback and offensive lineman Chris White. Also waived were receivers David Douglas and Dan DePalma; defensive ends Craig Marshall and Matt Broha; defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks; linebacker Jake Muasau; tight end Larry Donnell; offensive linemen Matt McCants, Selvish Capers and Stephen Goodin; quarterback Ryan Perrilloux; and defensive back Laron Scott. Safety Tyler Sash, serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, does not count on the roster. Six of the Giants' draft picks made the team, with the exception being McCants, taken in the sixth round. The biggest surprise might have been defensive end Adewale Ojomo, the University of Miami free agent who led the team with four sacks in the preseason. Safety Will Hill, the former St. Peter's Prep star who disappointed at Florida and sat out last season, also made the team. Ware and Jones were victims of the numbers game. First-round draft pick David Wilson pushed Ware out of the backup spot, and Jones was the odd man out at linebacker. ''Greg Jones was a very difficult decision to make,'' coach Tom Coughlin said. ''Ware was here for a while and any time you have those relationships with people, it's tough to see them go. Fortunately, these are men and they understand that decisions have to be made.'' A six-year veteran, Ware played in all 16 games last season, seeing most of his action on third down. He had 46 carries for 163 yards and caught 27 passes for 170 yards. A sixth round pick a year ago, Jones started five games last season and made 13 tackles on special teams. In leaving, Ware thanked the fans. ''ur well wishes r overwhelming will miss u all an my team Im not done I will b playing in NFL going BIG! just not here,'' Ware tweeted. The Giants probably haven't finalized the roster, though. They are thin at offensive tackle with Will Beatty and James Brewer bothered by back injuries and there are questions at cornerback, as well. There are five on the roster, but Prince Amukamara has a high ankle sprain and third-round draft pick Jayron Hosley has been bothered by turf toe for more than a week . ''It's always difficult to release players that have been here and have really worked hard and have earned our respect and our admiration,'' Coughlin said. ''Those are guys like Dwayne Hendricks, who I have great respect for, and DePalma, who has worked hard for us for a couple of years and has done a good job. Isaiah Stanback is another guy who has done an outstanding job here and worked hard and really gained our respect.'' --- Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL