June 6, 2013 New York Giants OTA Practice

June 6, 2013 New York Giants OTA Practice: The Giants held another Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice on Thursday. This session was open to the media.

Once again, wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks were no-shows. DE Jason Pierre-Paul (back) is still in California recovering from surgery.

A brief practice report is also available from the following site:

• Practice Report: A Pair of Interceptions by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

The final OTA practice will be on Friday. Next week the Giants will hold a mandatory, full-team mini-camp on June 11-13. The Giants will then be off until they have to report to training camp on July 26. The first training camp practice at the Timex Performance Center will be held on July 27.

Injury Update: As would be expected, Head Coach Tom Coughlin was asked on Thursday about DE Jason Pierre-Paul’s back injury and ensuing surgery that is expected to keep him out three months.

“(I was) surprised,” said Coughlin. “We were trying to manage it; seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it. All of a sudden there was a circumstance that he was in some pain. So he went through the normal procedure, which we have gone through many times. The doctors recommended the surgery. They got a second opinion and the doctor recommended the surgery as well. It wasn’t anticipated, but it is a fact now. Surgery is completed and he will do the best job he can in rehab.”

Coughlin was asked if he thought Pierre-Paul would be ready for opening day. “I don’t know that,” replied Coughlin. “I wouldn’t – I’m hoping, but I wouldn’t say that. That is an aggressive position to take. If anybody can do it, it is him. But I would like to wait and see. And again, listen to what the professionals are telling him. That is the key right now.”

LB Jacquian Williams (knee) was spotted practicing for the first time this spring. “A little bit of something. He is starting to do a little,” said Coughlin. Williams has been slowly recovering from a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) knee injury he suffered last October that caused him to miss six games, even though he later returned to the playing field in December.

“It’s early,” Williams said. “But I want to get out there and get the feel of things, get involved with the team and stuff. So it’s definitely a big step for me just to be out there.”

CB Terrell Thomas (knee) participated in individual drills. “I’ve done everything to the extreme as far as jumping and cutting, so it’s more of just getting comfortable now,” said Thomas. “It will be a challenge once I start guarding somebody, that’s the next step.”

OC David Baas (elbow and possibly hip or lower back), OG Chris Snee (hip), and DT Markus Kuhn (knee) continue to sit out.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Press Conference: The transcript and video of Thursday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of today’s media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• DE Justin Tuck (Video)
• DE Mathias Kiwanuka (Video)
• S Antrel Rolle (Video)

Article on the Linebacking Corps: Herzlich Among Early Leaders in LB Stakes by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on TE Adrien Robinson: TE Adrien Robinson Flashes During OTAs by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Article on DE Mathias Kiwanuka: Giants’ Mathias Kiwanuka Happy to Be Back at Defensive End Full-Time by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Quotes: QB Eli Manning on WR Rueben Randle: “A lot of times that second year you have a better feel for what’s going on, what his assignments are and the ins and outs of the offense. He’s confident out there. He’s got a great skill set. I think he’s had a great spring. I think he’s done a lot of good things, made a lot of plays for us and I think he can be a great playmaker for us this year.”

DE Justin Tuck on DE Damontre Moore and DT Johnathan Hankins: “Again, I really like what we did with the draft, especially Damontre because he’s a guy that’s going to get after the quarterback. He’s very athletic and hungry. You could tell. He wants to learn. He was asking me to work with him in the offseason and working with him after practice. I like what I am seeing from him early. But again, it’s OTAs. We’re out here in shells and shorts. We don’t get the full effect until you put the pads on and see how they adjust to that. But again, I’m excited about him and (Hankins) for that matter because those types of rookies don’t say much. They’re going about it the way rookies should. Just trying to be a sponge in the meeting room and learn everything they can learn and go on the football field and execute. So I’m pretty excited.”

DE Adrian Tracy on himself: “I’m a smaller guy, so I think one of my best attributes is speed and keying the ball. To get off at the snap is one of the best things that I can do. That gives me an advantage over offensive linemen. But then again, being a smaller guy, people think I’m not as stout and strong, and I think putting in the work with the strength and conditioning stuff has allowed me to prove them wrong as far as being a power rusher as well.”

Tight Ends Coach Michael Pope on TE Adrien Robinson: “(He’s) running well, he’s got his weight down some, and the quarterback is starting to find him. He’s hard to miss. He’s the tallest tree in the forest out there. He is a good target, but we’re more than mildly pleased with the progress that he’s made from an assignment standpoint.”

Pope on TE Chase Clement: “When I first looked at him, I had visions of Jake Ballard. He was a good blocker on the goal line, they seldom ever threw him the ball (in college). But when the ball was snapped he had kind of that tough-guy mentality…He really had a motor.”