But nope, Edgemont’s Matt Bernstein was not one of the players included.

So in the wake of last weekend’s rookie minicamp, the Giants signed DT Brian Soi (Utah), DT Nate Robinson (Akron), DE Alex Morrow (USC), DB Miguel Scott (NC State), Terrance Stringer (Tuskegee), long snapper Nick Leeson (Virginia Tech) and OL Jacob Hobbs (U of Albany).

They cut LB Rory Johnson (Mississippi), DT Joshua Muse (Louisiana Tech) and punter Owen Tolson (Army). Some of you West Point watchers might remember that Tolson would have had his service requirement changed if he made the roster. Instead of a potential tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, the punter would have been able to be a recruiter in the offseason.

Lastly, the Giants terminated the contracts of TE Eric Butler (Mississippi State) and G Carnell Stewart of LSU.

At 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, Edgemont’s Matt Bernstein was given another chance at football. That’s the moment the Wisconsin graduate got the message from his agent Justin Schulman that the Giants wanted him to report to their rookie minicamp to fill a fullback tryout spot. Truth is, if Bernstein’s home town wasn’t just 40 minutes up the road, he probably wouldn’t have gotten the call. But when you’re running routes in front of NFL coaches, it really doesn’t matter how you got there.”I’m just here,” Bernstein said. “I’m going to practice as hard as I can, I’m just happy I got this opportunity.” I took this shot with my camera phone during practice. You say blurry, I say arty. Either way that’s him, No. 45. Bernstein in a Giants jersey. 

$$$$$ for David Diehl. A starter on the offensive line since his rookie season, Diehl has proven to be one of the Giants’ most reliable performers. After spending his first three-plus seasons at guard, Diehl was moved to left tackle at the end of the 2006 season and played the big-money spot for all of 2007.

Now he’s going to be rewarded. According to reports, Diehl will get roughly 31 million over 6 years, and the contract has clauses in it where Diehl will be paid more if he plays left takle. Seems fair.

Diehl isn’t a superstar, but he’s a dependable player and is certainly appreciated by the Giants.

More new players to learn. The Giants signed guard Andrew Bain (Miami) guard Camell Stewart (LSU), center Digger Bujnoch of (Cincinnati…wait, someone other than Digger Phelps is called Digger?) , tackle Dylan Thiry (Northwestern), defensive tackles: Joshua Muse (Lousiania Tech) and Ogemdi Nwagbuo (Mich. St.).

Also the Giants released practice squad players Andrew Shanle (DB) and Marcus Freeman (TE).