Bears vs. Giants: 5 Notable Players from Each Team on the Cutting Block

The NFL preseason isn't about winning football games. It is about winning jobs.

The Chicago Bears and New York Giants will have plenty of players that are guaranteed their roster spots already when they take the field tonight, but there are probably twice as many players who are fighting for roster spots.

Here are the most notable names that need to perform tonight or they could be heading home.

Marion Barber

Marion Barber was cut from the Dallas Cowboys because the coaching staff felt that he had lost his burst.

Barber had a good showing last week in his first outing, but he needs to produce consistently or he could be surpassed by Kahlil Bell and Harvey Unga. Barber wouldn't be a worthwhile option for the team as a fourth running back on the roster because he would offer no special teams play.

Throughout his career he has specialized in being a goal-line back and between the tackle runner. Barber needs to show that he can still play this niche to great effect otherwise he will find himself out of a job.

Chester Taylor

Chester Taylor figured to be a great addition for the Bears when he signed with the team before last season.

He had the perfect skill set to be a receiving back in the Mike Martz offense but never made the most of that talent on the field.

Taylor is essentially in a dogfight with Marion Barber, Harvey Unga and Kahlil Bell. Like Barber, he has no value on special teams so needs to perform on the field in his role to make a the Bears' roster.

Vernon Gholston

Vernon Gholston will always be notable in the NFL but for the wrong reasons. Infamously, he was one of the biggest draft busts in recent years when he joined the New York Jets.

Gholston was cut from the Jets without registering a single sack, and needs to prove himself in the preseason or his NFL career could be coming to a premature end.

Gholston has no excuses. He has been around long enough to no longer be considered a youngster while he is gone from the 3-4 system that he wasn't drafted to play in. Gholston has to make a positive impact tonight as his chances will be few until the roster is cut to the final 53.

Aaron Ross

Aaron Ross failed to impress in the team's first preseason outing of the year.

Ross failed to make tackles or cover against the Panthers' backups. With the drafting of Prince Amukamara, Ross could be let go as he falls further and further down the depth chart.

The re-signing of Deon Grant doesn't help his status either as the team could use three starting safeties again this year.

Matt Dodge

The addition of Steve Weatherford really puts the pressure on Dodge.

He is already infamous in New York for that punt that led to Desean Jackson's walkoff return last year. Dodge was good last week, but his performances from here on out could be auditions for other teams as Weatherford is a proven performer at this level.

Serial tweeting about NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer and Rugby @Cianaf

I also write for Irish Central and Fantasy Football Life.