Justin Tuck said he was a “little bit surprised” last week when the New York Giants parted ways with some big names, cutting running back Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive tackle Chris Canty and linebacker Michael Boley.

But the moves cleared almost $14 million in salary cap space for the organization, according to Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger, and the Giants knew they couldn’t keep their most recent Super Bowl team together forever.

“Those guys have done a great job over the years of building a team that can be successful, and I don’t see why we can't trust in the fact that they know what they're doing up there," Tuck said, according to Vrentas. "Those decisions aren’t easy decisions. I'm sure (general manager) Jerry (Reese) and everyone up there had some tough times and some tough conversations about them, but they felt as though it needed to happen, and they went forward with it."

The Giants experienced a disappointing season coming off their most recent title. The team wilted in the second half of the season and the defense was a disaster with injuries playing a role.

"Any time when a guy was hurt, or a guy is leaving, or gets cut or anything like that, it's always an opportunity for somebody else," Tuck said. "We've got guys on this team that need to step up and play better and do whatever role is needed from the coaching staff to have a successful football team. As OTA’s come in, and training camp comes in, and the beginning of the season comes in, we’ll figure all that out."

The Giants will be figuring it out with some fresh faces too as eventually they will be replacing the bodies that have departed.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune