Jan 072024
 
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (January 7, 2024)

Saquon Barkley – © USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK GIANTS 27 – PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 10
The New York Giants upset the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 in the team’s final game of the 2023 NFL season. The Giants finished with a 6-11 record. The Giants will also hold the 6th overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

Emblematic of the final score, the Giants out-gained the Eagles in first downs (22 to 19), total net yards (415 to 299), net yards passing (306 to 166), and time of possession (32:57 to 27:03). The Eagles did out-rush the Giants (133 to 109). The Giants won the turnover battle (4 to 1).

The Giants and Eagles exchanged punts to start the game. New York then put together a 9-play, 67-yard drive that resulted in a 24-yard field goal by kicker Mason Crosby. Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson jump-started this possession with a 33-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

The Eagles threatened on their second drive as well, gaining 57 yards. However, on 2nd-and-9 from the New York 27-yard line, cornerback Nick McCloud forced a fumble after a 9-yard catch. Linebacker Micah McFadden recovered and advanced the ball back to the 27. The Giants’ offense went three-and-out. The Eagles gained 34 yards but turned the football over on downs after quarterback Jalen Hurt’s pass on 4th-and-3 from their own 48-yard line fell incomplete.

New York’s fourth offensive possession began with a 3rd-and-1 conversion. Five plays later, on 3rd-and-11, Taylor found Robinson for a 26-yard gain down to the 2-yard line. Running back Saquon Barkley scored on the next snap and the Giants were up 10-0.

The Eagles went three-and-out, highlighted by a 14-yard sack by safety Dane Belton on 3rd-and-6. It took the Giants just six plays to score, with big passing plays to tight end Darren Waller for 23 yards and Robinson for 19 yards. Barkley scored his second rushing touchdown as the Giants were now up 17-0.

Linebacker Bobby Okereke sacked Hurts for a 12-yard loss and the Eagles went three-and-out again. New York then scored their third offensive touchdown in a row, highlighted by a 46-yard pass to Barkley on 3rd-and-2. Taylor then found wide receiver Darius Slayton for the 19-yard score.

The last 1:47 of the first half was eventful. On 3rd-and-8, Hurt’s deep pass was intercepted near the sideline by safety Xavier McKinney, who did a marvelous job of keeping his feet inbounds. The Giants went three-and-out. The Eagles pulled Hurts out of the game for Marcus Mariota, but his first pass was also intercepted by McKinney, setting up the Giants at the Philadelphia 12-yard line. Unfortunately, Taylor was intercepted on the next play when his pass was deflected by cornerback James Bradberry.

At the half, the Giants led 24-0.

The third quarter began with the Eagles gaining 33 yards before punting. In turn, the Giants netted 38 yards before also punting. Philadelphia finally got on the scoreboard after a 13-play, 66-yard drive ended with a 36-yard field goal. The Giants gained 21 yards and punted early in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles tightened the game to 27-10 with an 8-play, 81-yard drive that resulted in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to wide receiver Quez Watkins. However, the Giants responded with a 12-play, 72-yard drive that not only added a 21-yard field goal, but it took over six and a half minutes off of the clock.

With three and a half minutes left to play, linebacker Jihad Ward sacked Mariota, causing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Azeez Ojulari at the Philadelpha 28-yard line. The Giants could not advance the ball and Crosby missed a 45-yard field goal at the 2-minute warning. The game ended at midfield with a 6-yard sack by Ojulari.

Taylor finished the game 23-of-32 for 297 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed for 38 yards on eight carries. His leading targets were Robinson (5 catches for 85 yards), Slayton (5 catches for 62 yards), and Waller (5 catches for 45 yards). Barkley was held to 46 rushing yards on 18 carries, but he did score twice and caught two passes for 51 yards.

Defensively, the Giants picked off two passes (both by McKinney) and recovered two fumbles. The Giants also generated five sacks, two by Ojulari and one each by Okereke, Belton, and Ward.

GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS are available on YouTube.

ROSTER MOVES, PRACTICE SQUAD ELEVATIONS, INACTIVES, AND INJURY REPORT…
On Saturday, placed S Jason Pinnock (foot) on Injured Reserve and signed QB Jacob Eason and TE Tyree Jackson to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad. The Giants also activated (standard elevation) OT Yodny Cajuste and PK Mason Crosby from the Practice Squad.

Inactive for the game were OC John Michael Schmitz (shin), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), QB Jacob Eason, WR Parris Campbell, TE Tyree Jackson, DT Timmy Horne, and OLB Benton Whitley.

WR Jalin Hyatt (hamstring) left the game in the first half and did not return. CB Nick McCloud (back) left in the second half. QB Tyrod Taylor (thumb) and TE Darren Waller (burner) were injured in the first half but returned to the game.

POST-GAME REACTION…
Transcripts and video clips of post-game media sessions with Head Coach Brian Daboll and the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll will address the media on Monday morning.

Jan 052024
 
Jason Pinnock, New York Giants (October 8, 2023)

Jason Pinnock – © USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACKS COACH JEFF NIXON LEAVES FOR SYRACUSE…
As has been rumored, Syracuse University has announced that they have hired New York Giants Running Backs Coach Jeff Nixon to be the school’s new offensive coordinator and running backs coach. Nixon joined the Giants’ staff in February 2023 after three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Nixon will reportedly continue to coach with the Giants through Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

JANUARY 5, 2024 GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
S Jason Pinnock (toe) did not practice on Friday. He has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

QB Tyrod Taylor (back), OC John Michael Schmitz (shin), ILB Carter Coughlin (shoulder), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), and CB Darnay Holmes (foot) were limited in practice. Banks is listed as “doubtful” for the game while Schmitz is “questionable.”

Offensive tackles Evan Neal (fractured talus bone in ankle) and Tyre Phillips (torn quad tendon) had surgery on Tuesday.

HEAD COACH BRIAN DABOLL…
The transcript of Brian Daboll’s press conference on Friday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
There is no media availability to the Giants on Saturday. The Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Jan 042024
 
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants (December 11, 2023)

Dexter Lawrence – © USA TODAY Sports

JANUARY 4, 2024 GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
S Jason Pinnock (toe) and S Dane Belton (personal) did not practice on Thursday.

QB Tyrod Taylor (back), OC John Michael Schmitz (shin), ILB Carter Coughlin (shoulder), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), and CB Darnay Holmes (foot) were limited in practice.

DEXTER LAWRENCE VOTED TO THE PRO BOWL…
New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has been voted to the Pro Bowl. It is the second season in a row that Lawrence has earned that honor. He is the franchise’s first defensive interior lineman to be selected to multiple Pro Bowls since Arnie Weinmeister went to four in a row from 1950-1953.

Lawrence was the only Giant to be voted to the Pro Bowl this season. Running back Saquon Barkley was named a second alternate and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was named a third alternate.

Lawrence has started 15 games this season, missing one game with a hamstring injury. He has been credited with 52 tackles, seven tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and two pass defenses.

GIANTS RE-SIGN QUARTERBACK…
The Giants re-signed QB Jacob Eason to the Practice Squad. The Giants first signed Eason to the Practice Squad in early November 2023, but cut him in early December. The 6’6”, 231-pound Eason was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts (2020-2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021-2022), Carolina Panthers (2022), San Francisco 49ers (2022), and Carolina Panthers (2023). Eason has only thrown 10 passes in two NFL regular-season games.

THE COACHES SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following coaches are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The team practices on Friday. Head Coach Brian Daboll and select players will also address the media.

Jan 032024
 
Saquon Barkley and Brian Daboll, New York Giants (December 31, 2023)

Saquon Barkley and Brian Daboll – © USA TODAY Sports

JANUARY 3, 2024 GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
The Giants held a walk-through practice on Wednesday and issued the following injury report as a projection:

OC John Michael Schmitz (shin) and S Jason Pinnock (toe) did not practice on Wednesday.

QB Tyrod Taylor (back), ILB Carter Coughlin (shoulder), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), and CB Darnay Holmes (foot) were limited.

ROSTER MOVES…
On Tuesday, the Giants placed OT Tyre Phillips (torn quad tendon) on Injured Reserve. After being cut in August, the Giants re-signed Phillips to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad of the Philadelphia Eagles in October. He was immediately thrust into the starting lineup at right tackle due injuries to Evan Neal. Phillips suffered a torn quad tendon in his right leg in Week 17, an injury that requires surgery. In all, Phillips played in 10 games with nine starts at right tackle for the Giants in 2023.

On Monday, the Giants signed OLB Jeremiah Martin to the Practice Squad. The 24-year old, 6’4”, 267-pound Martin was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Cleveland Browns after the 2023 NFL Draft. The Browns waived him in late August.

GUNNER OLSZEWSKI NAMED “NFC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK”…
New York Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski has been named the “NFC Special Teams Player of the Week” for his performance against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday. In that game, Olszewski returned four punts for 108 yards, including a 94-yard return for a touchdown. It was the second longest punt return in Giants’ history and the longest in 95 years. In 1928, Al Youngblood scored on a 95-yard return against the Pottsville Maroons.

THE HEAD COACH AND PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The players practice on Thursday afternoon. The team’s coordinators will also address the media.

Jan 012024
 
Gunner Olszewski, New York Giants (December 31, 2023)

Gunner Olszewski – © USA TODAY Sports

GIANTS FACE EAGLES AT 4:25PM ON SUNDAY…
The time and date of the New York Giants’ final game of the 2023 season has been set. The Giants will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 4:25PM. The game will be televised on CBS.

TORN QUAD FOR TYRE PHILLIPS…
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillips suffered a torn quad tendon in his right leg during yesterday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Phillips will need surgery.

JANUARY 1, 2024 BRIAN DABOLL PRESS CONFERENCE…
New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll addressed the media on Monday (VIDEO):

Q: How’s (tackle) Tyre (Phillips)? What’s the official diagnosis with that?

A: It’s a quad, so he’ll have surgery here soon.

Q: Like a torn quad, I take it.

A: Yeah, yep. Quad tendon.

Q: I was hoping you could shed some light on something, there’s probably 1,000 different fan theories as to this. Why do you think the offense has been so much more aggressive, and by that I mean downfield shots taken, with both (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito), who I think you said has a ‘let it rip mentality’, and (quarterback) Tyrod (Taylor) than it was with (quarterback) Daniel (Jones)?

A: I’ll just talk about last game because it’s the one we just played. I thought that Tyrod saw some things relative to things opening up and let it go and made the right decisions. Every game is different but he’s done that the last couple of games for us, which in turn helps. You skip some third downs and usually it gives you points. Had one taken back on a penalty but those are always helpful to get into the endzone.

Q: But the season long numbers, I get that you want to talk about the last game, my point is the season long numbers show aggressiveness. Metrics, whatever, show that those two quarterbacks are throwing downfield more. Is that because Daniel is more likely to run? Does that contribute to the different offensive lines? Like I said, there’s about 1,000 theories and I want to clear it up for people from your explanation.

A: We’ll look into that once we’re done with the season. We’ll finish up with this game, get ready for next game and look at all those things when the season is over.

Q: But it’s safe to say that you want your offense to be able to push the offense downfield the way you guys have of late, right?

A: Hey, big plays help.

Q: Just to get back to that right tackle spot, how did you think (tackle) Matt (Peart) did when he came in?

A: I thought he did good for not having played for a while. Came in and acquitted himself. Obviously, some plays that we’d like to have back but did a nice job filling in for us.

Q: What made that punt return work?

A: We got some good blocks on their gunners and then (wide receiver) Gunner (Olszewski) got into that mix, did a great job of really securing the football. Two hands on it, spun out of it and kind of reset where he was going, and we had a whole wall in front of him, but it starts with blocking the gunners and the ball security because he got into that mix and spun out and had a good finish.

Q: He kind of joked, he said he didn’t realize how long of a return it was. He said he probably shouldn’t have returned that one. What did you think at the time?

A: That’s a attaboy.

Q: I’m wondering how do handle players’ futures during the season? Is it something that comes up in conversation, I know you talk to your players a lot. Obviously, it’s something that they think about. Is it something you talk about with them and how do you sort of handle that?

A: Give me an example.

Q: (Running back) Saquon (Barkley) is in the last year of his deal again. That’s obviously something he thinks about –

A: I gotcha, I just wanted to make sure. Yeah, we focus on the opponent we are playing, doing as well as we can do, that’s the stuff that we’re focused on as a coaching staff and the players. The business side of things, they’ll take care of themselves, but during the season we’re just locked into our opponent, doing what we need to do, practicing, preparing. That’s where all our focus is.

Q: And in regards to the offense, the big plays, from a macro perspective like when you sit down in the offseason, try to envision what your offense is, do you envision it as a big play offense? Do you want to throw the ball down the field a lot or how do you kind of look at that?

A: Yeah, we’ll talk about all that once we get to the offseason. Every year is different. So, you know we will get up, finish this game up and get back on to the Eagles.

Q: As a guy who’s been a position coach and a coordinator and now a head coach, how much rope do you feel you give your coordinators? And how much do you lean on them? You have to obviously lean on them a lot, but what do you feel that interaction should be like?

A: They do a good job of leading their staffs. Communication and then you have to call the game. That’s pretty much the way it is.

Q: You have called games and probably been overruled and vetoed before, are you sensitive to that or do you say no, no that’s my job. I got to do that whenever it’s necessary.

A: Yeah, look every call is my responsibility.

Q: Do you feel that way, offense and defense, ultimately?

A: Yeah, every call. Every call. But I have trust in those guys. They prepare hard, they work hard as a staff. So, I have trust in those guys.

Q: Is that a teaching/learning moment kind of thing yesterday with (offensive coordinator) Mike (Kafka) and the second down play, the draw play?

A: Yeah, look, I’d like to have that one back. So, like I said yesterday not much to add to it. I’d like to have that one back.

Q: One of the things I don’t know if you were asked about this year, or at least I don’t recall you were, was the play of the gunners on special teams. It looks like from last year to this year the gunner play has been a lot better. Can you just talk about the job that they have done and am I correct when I say that it’s been better this year?

A: Yeah, (cornerback) Nick McCloud is really one of the better gunners. Physical. Now we had to replace him because he was playing a lot of defense, but I think (cornerback) Darnay (Holmes) has really stepped up and done a nice job and forced a lot of fair catches and when they are singled up, we expect them to win and when they get viced and doubled, that’s tough sledding and we expect them to still go down there and do a good job of trying to force fair catches or make good plays for us.

Q: When you have guys like that who can make plays for you and they’re at the end of their contract, does that factor into whether or not they’re part of the plans long term?

A: All those discussions take place at the end of the season. So, that’s not for another week.

Q: (Cornerback) Adoree’ (Jackson) had that missed tackle on the long catch-and-run, but when you watched back through the game, were you satisfied with his physicality play-to-play?

A: Yeah, I’d say, look, there’s a lot of plays we all wish we had back, really at every spot. Made some nice plays, created a turnover, but certainly we can all do a little bit better.

Q: You have to obviously make really quick calls on those two challenges. Who is advising you when to throw the flag and when not?

A: I talked about this a lot last year. Whether it’s time management, whether it’s rules, (Offensive Assistant/Game Manager) Cade (Knox) and (Director of Football Data and Innovation) Ty (Siam) do a great job. Very well prepared, very well thought out. We meet a lot during the week. Sometimes you’ve got to make a split-second decision if you think you see it on the ground, but I usually rely on those guys to get to see what they see on the replay. You’ve just got to be quick to throw it. They were up there fast on the one, so we just let that one go. We used two early on in the game. If you use two, you get one back if you get both of them right. So, we were fortunate to have another one. Didn’t need it, but those were two big ones. One was on fourth down.

Those guys do a good job really with a lot of things I would say within our program. Two of those guys who—two Ivy Leaguers. They do a nice job.

Q: At least with the players I spoke to postgame, they all were very disappointed or seemed very disappointed about the loss, about not getting it done, not beating the Rams and that kind of thing. Do you talk to your team when it’s out of it about those characteristics, about still playing hard and giving effort as if you were competing for a playoff?

A: First, you have to understand, they’re professionals. So, everybody has a job to do in this league. You try to do it as good as you can do it, try to prepare, take a lot of pride in your work, put a lot of time into it. They put a lot of time into their body, into their studying, they study in groups. This is a group of guys that have worked really hard. We haven’t got the results that we want, but the competitive stamina, we certainly talk about competing and finishing and being good teammates. Those are all important characteristics for our program. Again, not the results that we’ve wanted this season, but try to finish strong on a good note against a good team that we just played last week. But certainly you talk about competition and resiliency and toughness and finish, accountability, all those types of things.

Q: Did (safety) Dane Belton in particular impress you yesterday given the circumstance with which he was in a prime role?

A: Yeah. I know he had the turnovers, but the one play that I was really impressed with is the play that they broke out for the long gain on the hitch route and his chase, to run down there and to finish, he showed some good long speed. Again, running to the ball when you think a guy might score, I just thought the effort he had on that play was indicative of what the young man is about.

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The players are off on Tuesday and there is no media availability to the team on that day. Head Coach Brian Daboll and select players will address the media on Wednesday.

Dec 312023
 
Jamie Gillan and Mason Crosby, New York Giants (December 31, 2023)

So Close, But Yet So Far – © USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES RAMS 26 – NEW YORK GIANTS 25
The New York Giants came close to upsetting the red-hot Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, but untimely missed throws, dropped passes, missed tackles, penalties, and missed kicks hurt the team. The Giants lost 26-25, falling to 5-11 on the season with one more game to play.

In terms of overall team stats, the Rams held slight advantages in first downs (22 to 17), total net yards (391 to 389), net yards passing (286 to 284), and time of possession (30:11 to 29:49). Both teams rushed for 105 yards. The Giants won the turnover battle 3 to 1.

The Rams received the football to start the game, gained 54 yards on 10 plays, but had their 4th-and-3 passing attempt from the New York 21-yard fall incomplete, turning the ball over on downs. The Giants went three-and-out on their first possession. The Rams then responded with an 8-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard run for a touchdown by running back Kyren Williams. Rams 7 – Giants 0.

The Giants tied the game on their second offensive possession with a 9-play, 75-yard drive. The Giants overcame a 3rd-and-4 and 3rd-and-6 before a 24-yard end-around for the score by wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson early in the 2nd quarter.

After both teams exchanged punts, the Giants got the ball back when safety Dane Belton intercepted an overthrown pass by quarterback Mathew Stafford. However, the Giants gave the ball right back to the Rams after a failed 4th-and-1 conversion attempt at the New York 46-yard line. Eight plays later, Stafford threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-7.

The last 1:44 of the first half was eventful. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s deep pass intended for wide receiver Darius Slayton was intercepted at the Los Angeles 27-yard line. On the very next snap, Stafford completed a 16-yard pass over the middle, but cornerback Adoree’ Jackson forced a fumble that was recovered by Belton, setting up New York at the Rams’ 43-yard line. The Giants managed to gain 30 yards in the last 58 seconds to set up a 31-yard field goal as time expired. (The first attempt was blocked however the Rams were flagged with a leaping penalty).

At the half, the Rams led 14-10.

The Giants gained one first down and crossed midfield, but were forced to punt after Taylor was sacked on the team’s first drive of the second half. Then on 3rd-and-4 from the Los Angeles 18-yard line, Stafford completed a short pass to wide receiver Puka Nacua that he broke for an 80-yard gain to the New York 2-yard line. Williams scored on the next play. The Rams missed the extra point. Rams 20 – Giants 10.

After both teams exchanged punts again, the Giants overcame a 3rd-and-10 with an 11-yard completion to tight end Darren Waller. On the next snap, Taylor threw a beautiful deep pass to Slayton that was completed for an 80-yard touchdown. However, place kicker Mason Crosby missed the extra point and the Giants trailed 20-16.

Momentum continued to shift in the Giants direction as Belton intercepted his second pass on Los Angeles’ ensuing possession, setting up the Giants at the Rams’ 34-yard line. The Giants converted on 4th-and-1 at the 25-yard line, reached the 10, but were pushed back and forced to settle for a 32-yard field goal. The Giants now only trailed by one point early in the 4th quarter, 20-19.

Here is where momentum quickly shifted back to the Rams. The Giants defense allowed a quick, 3-play, 75-yard score with two chunk plays, including a 37-yard pass by Stafford and a 28-yard touchdown run by Williams. The Rams missed the extra point again, but now extended their lead to 26-19 with 12 minutes to play.

The Giants gained two first downs and reached the Los Angeles 42-yard line, but were pushed back with another sack. After an 18-yard gain on 3rd-and-19, the Giants went for it on 4th-and-1, however Taylor’s completion to wide receiver Jalin Hyatt lost a yard, turning the ball over on downs at the Rams’ 34-yard line. Both teams then exchanged punts again.

With 4:46 left to play, the Rams began another possession, gained a first down, but then Stafford was sacked on 3rd-and-7 by inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches. The ensuing punt was fielded by wideout Gunner Olszewski, who broke a tackle en route to a 94-yard score. Trailing by one point, 26-25, Head Coach Brian Daboll went for two. Unfortunately, Taylor badly missed a wide open running back Saquon Barkley for what should have been an easy 2-point conversion.

The Rams got the ball back with 3:27 left to play. On 3rd-and-9, linebacker Isaiah Simmons sacked Stafford for a 10-yard loss. After the punt and a 10-yard holding penalty on cornerback Darnay Holmes, the Giants had the ball on their own 35-yard line with 1:08 left to play. Barkley dropped a pass, but Taylor then scrambled for 31 yards to the Los Angeles 34-yard line. Taylor decided to spike the ball with 43 seconds left, losing a down. Oddly, the Giants ran the ball to Barkley with no timeouts. Worse, this play lost two yards. Taylor’s 3rd-and-12 pass was incomplete. Crosby’s 54-yard field goal came up short with 30 seconds to play and the Rams ran out the clock.

Taylor finished the game 27-of-41 for 319 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also was the team’s leading rusher with 40 yards on six carries. Robinson caught six passes for 55 yards and rushed for a 24-yard touchdown. Waller had five catches for 51 yards and Slayton had four catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Barkley was held to 39 yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, Okereke led the team with 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a tackle for a loss. Simmons and linebacker Jihad Ward each had a sack and Nunez-Roches had a half-sack. Belton picked off two passes and recovered a fumble.

GAME VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS are available on YouTube.

ROSTER MOVES, PRACTICE SQUAD ELEVATIONS, INACTIVES, AND INJURY REPORT…
On Saturday, placed TE Lawrence Cager (groin) on Injured Reserve and signed ILB Darrian Beavers to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad. The Giants also activated (standard elevation) WR Dennis Houston and PK Mason Crosby from the Practice Squad.

Inactive for the game were CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), WR Parris Campbell, WR Dennis Houston, OC Sean Harlow, DT Timmy Horne, OLB Benton Whitley, and S Gervarrius Owens.

RT Tyre Phillips (right knee) and S Jason Pinnock (foot) were injured in the game. It is feared that the injury to Phillips is serious. Pinnock was wearing boot in the locker room, but he said x-rays were negative.

POST-GAME REACTION…
Transcripts and video clips of post-game media sessions with Head Coach Brian Daboll and the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

CRAIG FITZGERALD DEPARTS GIANTS…
The Florida Gators have hired Craig Fitzgerald to be their new director of football performance. Fitzgerald had been the Giants’ director of strength and performance since 2020 when he was hired by then head coach Joe Judge.

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
Head Coach Brian Daboll will address the media on Monday.

Dec 292023
 
Deonte Banks, New York Giants (October 22, 2023)

Deonte Banks – © USA TODAY Sports

DECEMBER 29, 2023 GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
Everyone on the 53-man roster practiced in some capacity on Friday.

WR Wan’Dale Robinson (quad), TE Lawrence Cager (groin), DL Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (back), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), and P Jamie Gillan (groin/knee) practiced on a limited basis. Cager is officially “doubtful” for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson and Banks are “questionable.” Everyone else is expected to be available to play.

RB Saquon Barkley (elbow), TE Darren Waller (knee), OC John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OG Ben Bredeson (quad), OG Justin Pugh (elbow), and CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle) fully practiced. All six players are expected to play on Sunday.

The Daily News is reporting that RT Evan Neal, who is on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury that requires surgery, actually broke his left ankle.

THE COACHES SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following coaches are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

COREY WEBSTER RETIRES A GIANT…
Former New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster, who played for the team from 2005 to 2013, officially retired as New York Giant on Friday. The video of his retirement press conference is available on YouTube.

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
There is no media availability to the Giants on Saturday. The Giants host the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Dec 282023
 
Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants (December 25, 2023)

Kayvon Thibodeaux – © USA TODAY Sports

DECEMBER 28, 2023 GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
Everyone on the 53-man roster practiced in some capacity on Thursday.

TE Lawrence Cager (groin), OG Justin Pugh (elbow), DL Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (back), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder), and P Jamie Gillan (groin/knee) practiced on a limited basis.

RB Saquon Barkley (elbow), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (quad), TE Darren Waller (knee), OC John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OG Ben Bredeson (quad), and CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle) fully practiced.

THE COACHES SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following coaches are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The team practices on Friday. Head Coach Brian Daboll, the position coaches, and select players will also address the media.

Dec 272023
 
Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (December 25, 2023)

Tyrod Taylor – © USA TODAY Sports

TYROD TAYLOR WILL START AGAINST THE RAMS…
The New York Giants have announced that quarterback Tyrod Taylor will start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. “I thought (quarterback) Ty did some good things in the second half of Philly so he earned the right to start this game,” said Head Coach Brian Daboll on Wednesday.

“It’s part of the business,” said Taylor. “Thankful for the opportunity. Looking forward to getting out on the field with the guys this weekend and competing.”

“I’m going to continue to be a good teammate,” said quarterback Tommy DeVito, who lost the starting job. “Obviously, it’s a coaches’ decision. I have no, obviously, say or anything in that but I’m going to continue to be a good teammate, go out and compete.”

DECEMBER 27, 2023 GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
The Giants only held a walk-through practice on Wednesday and the following injury report is the team’s projection.

TE Lawrence Cager (groin), DL Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (back), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee), and CB Deonte Banks (shoulder) did not practice.

RB Saquon Barkley (elbow), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (quad), TE Darren Waller (knee), OC John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OG Ben Bredeson (quad), OG Justin Pugh (elbow), CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle), and P Jamie Gillan (groin/knee) were limited in practice.

RT Evan Neal (ankle), who was placed on Injured Reserve on Sunday, will undergo surgery. “He’s going to get the surgery, fairly soon, and then rehab,” said Head Coach Brian Daboll.

JAGUARS SIGN MATT BARKLEY…
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed quarterback Matt Barkley off of the Practice Squad of the New York Giants. The Giants signed Barkley to the Practice Squad in late October 2023 and 53-man roster in early November 2023. He was shifted back to the Practice Squad in early December.

The 6’2”, 227-pound Barkley was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The well-travelled Barkley has spent time with the Eagles (2013–2015), Arizona Cardinals (2015-2016, 2017), Chicago Bears (2016), San Francisco 49ers (2017), Cincinnati Bengals (2018), Buffalo Bills (2018-2020, 2022-2023), Tennessee Titans (2021), Carolina Panthers (2021), and Atlanta Falcons (2021).

THE HEAD COACH AND PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The players practice on Thursday afternoon. The team’s coordinators will also address the media.

Dec 262023
 
Brian Daboll, New York Giants (December 25, 2023)

Brian Daboll – © USA TODAY Sports

DECEMBER 26, 2023 BRIAN DABOLL PRESS CONFERENCE…
New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll addressed the media on Tuesday (VIDEO):

Q: Where are you on naming a quarterback for this week?

A: We’ll talk about it as a staff. We’re finishing up this game and we’ll talk about it tonight.

Q: We only have two games left. Will anything for the future go in? Or is it just about these two games? Because obviously, as (Senior Vice President/General Manager) Joe (Schoen) pointed out, (quarterback) Tommy’s (DeVito) is the only backup quarterback under contract, so will that factor in? Or is it just about these two games?

A: We’re just getting ready for the Rams here; we’ll talk about that tonight.

Q: When you look at this season – and I know there will be time for a real dissection of the season, but how do you keep your players in these final couple weeks of just being sort of – knowing they’re out of it and maybe showing some of that in their play or approach?

A: Look, I thought we competed hard yesterday. We have a bunch of competitors that are going to do their jobs. Come in, get ready to go against the Rams and try to play and coach as good as we can.

Q: With your receiver rotation, I’ll call it. I’m not sure what else to call it, your rotation of receivers, are you satisfied with the way that the big plays were made? We see (wide receiver Darius) Slayton with a big play yesterday, that kind of thing. (Wide receiver) Wan’Dale (Robinson) gets a lot of opportunities for not a lot of yardage. Is that one of the things maybe that you’ll particularly look at?

A: Right now, we’re just going to try to do as good as we can against the Rams and put together a plan. There’ll be a time for all that but now it’s get ready to go here on the Rams.

Q: A couple of things. Down the stretch, you’ve been in a lot of seasons, in the playoffs, out of the playoffs, who you’re playing, who you’re not playing. I mean, down the stretch here, you’ve played the Eagles, you’ll play them twice, the Rams, obviously in the thick of the playoff race. Is that a carrot that you can show to your team? I mean, you’re playing against teams that are in it, hungry and need to win, you know what I mean? And you need to match that, obviously, or things won’t go well.

A: I’d just say we try to do everything we can do each week. Certainly, haven’t got the results that we want but compete and do everything you can do to get ready to play a game in this league. Regardless of where I’ve been or what I’ve been, if you’re a competitor, that’s what you get excited to do.

Q: Do you notice these games can be different against – two teams in it, two teams out of it, teams fighting for position. In other years, the Rams might be coming here, they’re not in it, they’re making a long trip, you can kind of sense it. That’s not going to be the sense that you’re going to get from the Rams, I’m sure, this week.

A: I don’t sense that (in) any game I’ve ever coached in. You’re playing pros that are competitive. You try to everything you can do each week to win.

Q: You have two players on your defense who played every snap this year, (inside linebacker) Bobby (Okereke) and (safety Xavier) McKinney. That’s obviously not an easy thing to do. Do they ever ask for a play off? Or is it a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell?’

A: They do a really good job of taking care of their bodies, prehabbing. They practice, too, almost every play, so durability is obviously an important thing and both of those guys have been good players for us. It’s certainly a hard thing to do.

Q: (Tackle) Evan Neal, was he not close? You put him on IR. It was a long time with the ankle but was it just not going to work?

A: Evan’s done everything he could possibly do but couldn’t make it here so there’ll be stuff down the road, but the young man’s done everything he could possibly do. Just didn’t work out.

Q: Stuff down the road as far as a procedure or something he may need?

A: Yeah.

Q: Were there any injuries out of yesterday’s game that might be a concern heading into next week?

A: We’ll have more – I haven’t met with the trainers yet. They’re still meeting the doctors, so I’ll have more for you tomorrow.

Q: Now that you’re eliminated, is there like this – for a moment you let yourself feel a sense of disappointment or do you worry about that after the season?

A: Certainly, you’re disappointed. You put everything you have into it each year to get an opportunity to compete in the postseason, but our focus and my focus right now is on to the next week and to do everything we can do to go out there and play a good game against the Rams.

Q: I wanted to ask about (punter) Jamie Gillan and how he was doing. There was a report on the broadcast yesterday that he had to wear a wrap on his kicking leg. Was there any consideration on him not going yesterday?

A: Jamie was good to go. He miss-hit that first ball – actually, what happened (was) that first return that they had, returned it all the way down to positive territory, he was going to make the tackle and he landed on his knee and that’s what’s bothering him right now. So, it was on the tackle on the returner on that first punt.

Q: How’s he doing today?

A: I haven’t talked to those guys yet.

Q: If he’s feeling badly, is there talk about I guess kind of maybe bringing someone in for workouts? I know you haven’t had those conversations.

A: We’ll have that conversation here in about an hour.

Q: Regarding guys who are able to practice, not miss a practice, not miss a snap, what goes into that thinking? Because obviously you guys, with the sports scientists, you monitor practice reps, you monitor game reps, obviously there is bumps and bruises, so how do you kind of determine, okay Bobby and Xavier, they’re good to go, this guy isn’t good to go. I mean, especially this time of year when guys are banged up.

A: Yeah, we try to take that into account with all our practice routines, so some are more walk throughs. There might be times where we give X or Bobby a little bit of – a couple reps here and back off them a little bit but they are as competitive as I’ve seen and I’ve been around some players a long time ago that took every rep at practice, every rep in the game, every rep on show team, every rep on special teams show team when they were on it, so these two guys, you call them throwbacks a little bit in terms of their ability to stay durable and perform down in and down out.

Q: Do you find that sometimes you have to protect guys from themselves because they really want to go out there and they are maybe not good enough to go out there, so to speak?

A: Yeah, sure and I think our guys do a good job in the training room and strength and conditioning of making sure that we’re on top of that, but you also appreciate players like that, that want to be out there all the time.

Q: When you make a move like you did yesterday at quarterback, you know seeking a spark, is that an in the moment thing for you? Or do you guys discuss going into the game circumstances and say, ‘okay, this is the week we are going to make a move if we need to make a move’? How does that decision making play itself out for you in this situation?

A: I made that decision at halftime. Just felt we needed to do something to try to spark us. I think we were one-of-eight on third down, 55 yards passing and that was a collective thing, though. For everybody. But it’s a decision I made at halftime and that’s how we went with it.

Q: Is that always a difficult situation to make in that situation when you’re trying to judge? Because the previous week, you guys had struggled offensively as well but you didn’t make that decision, go down that road the previous week.

A: Yeah, I just felt for that particular game that was the decision that I needed to make.

Q: Will you consider backing off (running back) Saquon (Barkley) and (defensive lineman) Dexter (Lawrence II), in particular, given the circumstances now?

A: No. No, if they are ready and capable to go, then they’ll be playing.

Q: I know in the moment yesterday; you are very wary of what you can say about some of those controversial calls. With some time to breath, I’m wondering if you have any thoughts on the calls or if maybe you can dance around it like (quarterback) Tyrod (Taylor) did and say do you feel like a game should be officiated at the end the same way it is throughout the game and what the teaching point is for Bobby at the end of the first half, if that’s kind of a fine line between how you are supposed to know if that’s a fumble versus a delay of game.

A: Appreciate the question, well thought out.

Q: It really was well thought out, wasn’t it?

A: It was, but you know, officials have a job to do. I respect the job that they have to do it. Any decisions or calls, you can ask them about it.

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
Head Coach Brian Daboll and select players address the media on Wednesday.