Jake Ballard

The New York Giants cried foul when the Pats claimed TE Jake Ballard off waivers after the 2012 Super Bowl. Ballard tore his ACL in the win over the Pats. When the Giants tried to put him on Injured reserve, the Pats plucked him off the waiver wire. It was totally legitimate for both teams.

It was a futile attempt by the Pats to find another tight end. He spent the entire 2012 season on the PUP list before being released by the Pats at the end of the 2013 training camp. He was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals where he caught passes in eight games.

He announced his retirement the other day due to the injury he sustained in the Super Bowl. His career held so much promise for the undrafted free agent, but it never got off the ground.