Sep 242013
 
Antrel Rolle and Aaron Ross, New York Giants (September 22, 2013)

Antrel Rolle and Aaron Ross – © USA TODAY Sports Images

September 24, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report: According to Newsday, the MRI taken on OG Chris Snee’s hip showed no new damage, but if the pain does not subside, other options would have to be considered, including season-ending Injured Reserve.

“The hope is that it calms down and lets him get back to playing to his standard,” an unidentified source told Newsday. “If it doesn’t calm down, we are going to have to do something.”

Snee had offseason surgery on his hip. He decided to delay the surgery until after the Pro Bowl so he could participate in that game and was on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List until August 6.

Meanwhile, The Star-Ledger is reporting that FB Henry Hynoski’s shoulder fracture is serious and may be season-ending.

RB Andre Brown (fractured leg), who is on short-term Injured Reserve, says he’s ahead of schedule on his rehab. Under the short-term IR rules, however, Brown cannot be added to the 53-man roster until after Week 8.

New York Giants Practice Squad Moves: The New York Giants have re-signed OT Steven “Sam” Baker and signed LB Ty Powell to the Practice Squad.

To make room for Baker and Powell, the Giants have terminated the Practice Squad contracts of  DE Matt Broha and WR Marcus Harris.

New York Giants on ESPN Radio: Audio clips of Tuesday’s ESPN Radio interviews with the following players are available at ESPN.com:

  • WR Victor Cruz (Audio)
  • DE Mathias Kiwanuka (Audio)

S Antrel Rolle on WFAN: The audio of Tuesday’s WFAN interview with S Antrel Rolle is available at CBSNewYork.com

Article on General Manager Jerry Reese: It Would Be Nice to Hear from Jerry Reese by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Articles on the 2013 New York Giants:

Article on QB Eli Manning: Laid-Back Eli Needs to Fire Up Giants by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on DE Mathias Kiwanuka: Kiwi: ‘All of Our Goals are Still in Front of Us’ by Tom Rock of Newsday

Article on S Antrel Rolle: A Frustrated Antrel Rolle Challenges the NY Giants to Show ‘More Fight’ by Ebenezer Samuel of The Daily News

Notes: The 2013 New York Giants have allowed an NFL-high 115 points and are the third team in the last 50 years to allow at least 35 points in each of their first three games.

The Giants have rushed for 133 yards in the first three games. This is the first time in team history that the Giants have had 60 or fewer yards on the ground in three consecutive games.

DT Marvin Austin, who was waived by the Giants in the last round of cuts in early September, has signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Aug 312013
 
Tyler Sash, New York Giants (August 24, 2013)

Tyler Sash – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Reduce Roster to 53: The Giants have reduced their roster from 75 to 53 players.

As expected, due to his previously-announced drug suspension, the Giants placed S Will Hill on the Reserve/Suspended List. Hill will not be able to practice or play with the team for four weeks. Hill will be eligible to return to the active roster on September 30.

Also, as expected, the Giants placed DT Markus Kuhn (knee) on the Reserve/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List. Kuhn was placed on the Active (preseason) PUP at the start of training camp. Kuhn is required to remain on the Reserve/PUP for at least six weeks.

WR Ramses Barden (knee) was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.

The team also released the following 19 players:

  • QB David Carr (contract terminated)
  • RB Ryan Torain (contract terminated)
  • WR Kevin Hardy (waived)
  • WR Marcus Harris (waived)
  • WR Julian Talley (waived)
  • OL Selvish Capers (waived/injured)
  • OL Matt McCants (waived)
  • OL Stephen Goodin (waived)
  • OL Bryant Browning (waived)
  • OL Eric Herman (waived)
  • DE Adrian Tracy (waived)
  • DE Matt Broha (waived)
  • DE Adewale Ojomo (waived)
  • DT Marvin Austin (waived)
  • LB Kyle Bosworth (waived)
  • CB Charles James (waived)
  • CB Terrence Frederick (waived)
  • S Tyler Sash (waived with injury settlement)
  • S David Caldwell (waived)

“This is not my favorite day by a long shot,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “It never gets easier, because every year the principals involved are different. My gut starts bothering me about two days before. The day of it I get the headache and the whole bit that goes with it. When you speak to these kids and you work with them and you see them, you do see their effort and what they put forth and how important it is to them. It’s not an easy thing to stand there when a young man walks into his office and as soon as you put your hand out, he starts crying. It’s always difficult to let a guy go that you’ve had with you for a while.”

Coughlin made comments on the following players:

  • QB David Carr: “We simply based it on the preseason. From the standpoint of all the evaluations, it pointed to the fact that (Curtis) Painter had a better preseason. We’ll miss David Carr around here, to be honest with you. He’s done an outstanding job directing our second offense and our scout team. He has the ability to do whatever we ask of him in that regard. He can run the option, he can be the running quarterback if you want him to do that. Ryan Nassib is going to have to step up and be that guy when you’re talking about the teams we play that have a running quarterback.”
  • QB Ryan Nassib: “When we drafted (Nassib), then you have an idea that you’re going to have to develop young quarterback. That’s what his role is. So be it if that’s what it takes. From the standpoint of strategy, you have to understand that many times the balancing act stops at the quarterback position, because there is no way to trade off if in fact you are developing a young man. In our case, you have a veteran player to go along with it.”
  • DE Justin Trattou: “Trattou has the ability to help us out in a lot of different ways both from scrimmage and special teams. There were four young men who were very much in contention for that job. (Matt) Broha was very much involved in that, too. Quite frankly, it was very, very close. We made a decision really based on an individual that was ranked a little bit higher on special teams.”
  •  DTs Shaun Rogers and Mike Patterson: “They played well. They deserve it. The other night (in the preseason finale in New England) they played 20-something plays and did a nice job not only in changing the line of scrimmage, but we brought them back after the half, so they demonstrated the ability to do that.”
  • RB Michael Cox: “He has demonstrated outstanding ability as a kick returner. We put him at gunner and he was a good gunner. You send him down on kickoffs and he did a nice job with that. He has shown endurance and power and strength and the attitude anywhere you put him. We preach it all the time. You make the team because of your contributions on special teams. You have a great chance. That’s what he did.”

Article on the Giants’ Defense: Rolle Confident in Giants’ D Revival by Mark Cannizzaro of The New York Post

Aug 252013
 
Stevie Brown, New York Giants (August 24, 2013)

Stevie Brown – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Stevie Brown and Jayron Hosley Injured in OT Loss to Jets: In an ugly game, the New York Giants fell to the New York Jets 24-21 in overtime on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium. Other than one big play by RB David Wilson, the Giants’ offense and QB Eli Manning struggled.

“What happened tonight was we fought like heck throughout the entire game on defense and on special teams,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “We really didn’t have anything to help us on the offensive side of the ball…There was no consistency whatsoever. We’ve got work to do on the offensive side of the ball. Whatever is going on, we’ve got to solve it and we’ve got to solve it fast. We don’t have much time.”

Worse for the Giants is that S Stevie Brown (knee) and CB Jayron Hosley (ankle) left the games with injuries. The preliminary diagnosis on Brown is a sprained knee, but the injury looked pretty bad. Brown could not put any weight on his leg and Coughlin did not sound positive about Brown after the game. An MRI will reveal the true extent of the damage. Hosley will also undergo an MRI. TE Adrien Robinson also injured his right thumb but x-rays were negative. CB Prince Amukamara rolled one of his ankles but continued to play and said he was fine.

The game started off well for the Giants as the Giants’ defense forced a three-and-out. Then on the Giants’ first offensive play of the game, RB David Wilson broke off an 84-yard touchdown run.

But a mistake-prone Giants’ defense quickly allowed the Jets to tie the game as the Giants’ defense was flagged for four straight penalties for 33 yards and then left a receiver wide open for a 22-yard touchdown.

In their next five offensive possessions, the Giants only managed one first down. And the Giants’ first-team offense, which played the entire first half, only added one more field goal, despite three interceptions by the Jets. In the Giants’ last two possessions of the first half, the G-Men gained five first downs, but missed a 53-yard field goal and turned the ball over on downs.

The offensive line – missing David Baas at center and David Diehl at right tackle – struggled, as did QB Eli Manning (8-for-20 for 83 yards). Wilson gained 84 yards on his first carry and the Giants netted 97 yards the rest of the first half (76 passing and 21 rushing yards). Once again, the Giants also struggled in the red zone. Facing a 1st-and-goal from the Jets’ 4-yard line, the Giants came away with zero points.

The Giants’ first-team defense, after the Jets’ scoring drive, did perform fairly well against an anemic Jets’ offense and a rookie quarterback, picking him off three times and forcing four punts in the first half. Amukamara, Brown, and DE Justin Tuck all picked off passes. Unfortunately, Brown injured his knee untouched on his interception.

“I feel bad for Stevie Brown,” said Coughlin after the game. “He’s been a tremendous addition to our team. The guy has another interception and then has that happen. I don’t really understand how it happened. I couldn’t see it, but evidently he just got his foot planted the wrong way. I don’t think it was a contact injury.”

At the half, the Giants led 10-7.

In the second half, the Giants began to play their reserves as the Jets continued to play some of their starters even into the fourth quarter. Curtis Painter played the rest of the way for the Giants at quarterback, finishing 13-of-29 for 140 yards.

The Giants had eight possessions in the third and fourth quarters, and on six of those possessions they could not pick up a first down. The second-team offense did go 71 yards in 12 plays on their second possession of the second half, setting up a 33-yard field goal. Another field goal was set up by a Jets’ fumble. The Giants could not move the ball, but PK Josh Brown hit a 50-yard field goal. The last Giants’ points of the game came late in the fourth quarter as the Giants drove 64 yards in 10 plays to tie the game at 21-21 on Brown’s 40-yard field goal.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets’ first-team offense easily drove down the field on their first possession of the second half, going 57 yards in seven plays to take a 14-10 lead. On the Jets’ next four possessions, the Giants’ defense forced two turnovers on fumbles, caused a safety, and forced the Jets to punt. But after a poor punt by Steve Weatherford, the Jets drove 37 yards in four plays to take a 21-18 lead late in the fourth quarter.

In overtime, the Giants received the ball first but RB Da’Rel Scott fumbled the ball away on the first play. However, the Jets missed the 39-yard field goal. The Giants drove to the Jets’ 46-yard line on their second possession in overtime, but a 12-yard sack pushed the Giants back and stalled that drive. The Jets then drove 81 yards in six plays to et up the game-winning 32-yard field goal.

Video highlights/lowlights of the game are available at Giants.com.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference are available at Giants.com.

Post-Game Player Q&As: Transcripts of post-game media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Post-Game Notes: The following injured Giants did not play in the game: FB Henry Hynoski (knee), WR Victor Cruz (heel), WR Louis Murphy (leg), WR Ramses Barden (knee), OC David Baas (knee), OT David Diehl (thumb), DE Damontre Moore (shoulder), CB Corey Webster (knee/groin), S Antrel Rolle (ankle), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (PUP – back), and DT Markus Kuhn (PUP – knee).

Active but not playing were QB David Carr, QB Ryan Nassib, WR Terrell Sinkfield, WR Kevin Hardy, TE Chase Clement, OT Austin Holtz, and S Cooper Taylor.

Aug 172013
 
Adrian Tracy, New York Giants (August 10, 2013)

Adrian Tracy – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Injury Update on TE Larry Donnell: TE Larry Donnell was carted off of the field during Friday’s practice after injuring his left knee. The Giants are saying the injury is a sprain. Donnell actually participated in Saturday’s walk-thru practice, but he will not play against the Colts on Sunday night.

Giants.com Q&A With DE Justin Tuck: One-on-One with DE Justin Tuck by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Articles on the Running Backs:

Articles on the Wide Receivers:

Articles on OT Justin Pugh:

Articles on the Defensive Line:

Article on the Giants’ Equipment Staff: For the Giants, a Full-Gear Operation by Bill Pennington of The New York Times

Aug 152013
 
New York Giants Helmets (August 10, 2013)

© USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Return to Practice on Friday: There was no practice on Thursday. The Giants return to practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday from 1:30-3:45PM. For a complete training camp schedule and Giants.com Q&A guide, see the Training Camp section of the website.

Giants.com Q&A With Perry Fewell: The video of a Giants.com Q&A with Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell is available at Giants.com.

Article on QB David Carr: Giants’ David Carr Understands He is Facing a Challege by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Article on OL Justin Pugh: Veterans Teaching Rookie OT Justin Pugh by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Articles on the Defensive Line:

Article on LB Dan Connor: Giants Linebacker Dan Connor Won’t Tweak Cowboys by Tom Rock of Newsday

Articles on the Defensive Backs:

Article on LS Zak DeOssie: The Giants’ Secret Weapon: a Shrieking Long-Snapper by Jonathan Clegg of The Wall Street Journal

Giants Bowling Night Sights & Sounds: A video of the Giants’ bowling night from earlier this week is available at Giants.com.

Aug 152013
 
Cullen Jenkins, New York Giants (August 10, 2013)

Cullen Jenkins – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Offseason Breakdown: New York Giants Defensive Tackles

In part one, we covered how important the defensive line is to the overall defense of the New York Giants, and focused on the defensive ends. In part two, we’ll focus on the defensive tackles.

4-3 defenses usually employ two different types of tackles: a 1-technique (or nose tackle) and a 3-technique (or under tackle). The 1-technique tackle usually will see a lot of double teams from the guard and center and usually has to be the bigger, stronger, and stouter player. These types of players usually lack ideal quickness. The 3-technique is usually less stout, but the quicker, more active penetrator. If Linval Joseph and Cullen Jenkins start as expected, Joseph will play the 1-technique and Jenkins the 3-technique given their physical characteristics. Johnathan Hankins is better suited to the 1-technique while Marvin Austin is better suited to the 3-technique. Also keep in mind that in obvious pass rush situations, the Giants have moved defensive ends – including Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Mathias Kiwanuka – inside to rush from the tackle spots.

There are currently eight defensive tackles on the Giants’ 90-man preseason roster. At most, the Giants will be able to keep five defensive tackles on the 53-man regular-season roster.

Linval Joseph: Joseph was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Giants. He did not play much as a rookie but became a full-time starter in 2011. Joseph has an excellent combination of size (6’4’’, 323 pounds), strength, and athletic ability. He flashes as run defender due to his size and strength, and as a pass rusher because of his quickness. But one gets the sense that Joseph should be a more consistent, more dominating player than he has shown to date.

“Linval is really good,” said DT Cullen Jenkins. “He’s a strong man; really strong. I can’t even workout with Linval in the weight room. But he’s one of the first people in here every day. Out in practice he’s always busting his butt and you have to respect it. He’s got some bright years ahead of him and I think he can do a lot of things in the league.”

“From looking at Linval in all the practices you wonder why he is not a Pro Bowler,” said Jenkins. “He’s got a tremendous amount of ability, the strength he possess, quickness, speed. He’s had a couple dings here and there that have hampered him, but if he can stay healthy I think he’ll be a Pro Bowler.”

“I’m just ready to step up,” said Joseph. “I’m going to be the anchor of this team and I’m ready to go.”

Cullen Jenkins: Jenkins was signed by the Giants in March 2013 after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles in February. Jenkins was originally signed by Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent after the 2003 NFL Draft. He did not make the team but spent time in NFL Europe and then re-signed with the Packers in 2004. From 2004-10, Jenkins played with the Packers until he signed with the Eagles in 2011.

Jenkins lacks ideal size (6’2’’, 305 pounds) and is on the downside of his career, but he still is a solid two-way defensive tackle who can play the run and rush the passer. Versatile, he has experience in the 4-3 as a defensive tackle and as an end in the 3-4. The Giants have also been playing him at defensive end in the 4-3. In the last four seasons, he’s averaged over five sacks a year. Jenkins is a tough guy who plays with an attitude.

“Cullen, I was with four years in Green Bay, he’s a very explosive guy, talented guy, has matured a lot,” said Defensive Line Coach Robert Nunn. “He’s a different guy than he was in Green Bay. He’s a guy that has gotten better and better as time has gone on, very explosive player both in the run game and the pass game and he is going to bring a lot of versatility to us. I think he can go inside, he can play outside, we can do some different things, which, in turn, will allow us to different things with some of our other guys. He really adds some versatility to what we’re doing…When we get to our pass rush stuff he can free up Justin and JPP and Kiwi to move around so there are several things he brings. The passion he plays with and the toughness, he’s another guy that plays tough. On Sundays, he’s a tough guy. We need that in that room.”

“I’m very impressed with Jenkins,” said Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell. “He is a seasoned veteran, a proven veteran and I just see that for him to come to our football team and bring the type of energy that he displayed down at his previous team and then bring that to us, I think that’s a positive for our defense.”

“We’re going to take advantage of his versatility,” said Fewell. “He’s very explosive. He’s much stronger than I initially thought he was and he is violent in his reactions and so that’s a good thing for us and it’s very pleasing.”

“He’s a tough guy to block no matter where he is,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He’s very effective, very good. Moves well. Just gives us a nice piece of versatility to be able to play him basically wherever we need.”

“Once you hit 30, everyone starts talking about how you’re getting older and missing a step,” said the 32-year-old Jenkins. “I see it as a challenge. My whole career, my whole life, has been about proving people wrong.”

“Two things I’ve been working on: my strength and my quickness,” said Jenkins. “Quickness has helped me since I’ve been in the league and it’s one of the reasons I’ve put so much emphasis in making sure my weight stays at a good level for me this year. At the same time, I’m trying to get as strong as I can because getting older I know you have to put a lot more time into your body to make sure you stay healthy. These last few years that’s what I’ve been trying to do to make sure I stay on the field every week.”

Shaun Rogers: The Giants signed Rogers as an unrestricted free agent in April 2012, but he missed the entire 2012 season due to a blood clot in his leg. Rogers was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. In 11 NFL seasons, Rogers has played for the Lions (2001-07), Browns, (2008-10), and Saints (2011). He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2004, 2005, and 2008.

Rogers is a huge (6’4’’, 350 pounds), powerful player. In his prime, he was a very strong run defender who could also push the pocket on the pass rush. However, the 34-year old Rogers is nearing the end of his career and it remains to be seen how much he has left in his gas tank. He started four games for the Saints in 2011 and finished with just 22 tackles and no sacks. Amazingly, Rogers has blocked 14 field goal attempts in his career.

Johnathan Hankins: Hankins was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Giants. Hankins is a big (6’2’’, 320 pounds), strong, run-stuffing defensive tackle with good athletic ability and agility for his size. He is a better run defender than pass rusher. Hankins is very stout at the point-of-attack and can take on double-team blocks. When he plays with leverage and proper technique, Hankins is very difficult to move off of the line of scrimmage. Hankins also has the athletic ability to pursue down the line and will flash occasionally on the pass rush with quickness and power.

“He has really surprised me coming in,” said Nunn. “I thought he did an outstanding job between when he started until now with his body. He’s worked, he’s trimmed up, he’s gotten stronger, if he continues to do that I think he’s another young player that’s going to contribute to us. He really has looked good.”

“He’s been running second team,” said Nunn. “He’s picked up everything physically and from a mental standpoint, he’s right where he needs to be. We’ll see what happens when we start shooting real bullets.”

“The two rookies we have on our D-Line have stood out,” said Tuck. “Hank is quiet and he is more polished. You can tell he’s obviously had a great coach and played big-time football (at Ohio State).”

Marvin Austin: The Giants have not received much in return from Marvin Austin ever since drafting him in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Austin missed his last season in college due to an NCAA violation. Austin then missed his second football season in a row when the Giants placed him on Injured Reserve in August 2011 after he tore his pectoral muscle. In 2012, Austin fell to fifth on the defensive tackle depth chart, behind 7th round rookie Markus Kuhn. Austin ended up playing in eight games, but only saw limited time at defensive tackle and finished the season with only eight tackles. He hurt his back in training camp before last season and had offseason knee surgery (torn meniscus) in January 2013.

Austin has good tools to work with. Although he lacks ideal height (6’2’’, 312 pounds), he is a very athletic tackle with fine size and strength. He moves very well for a big man and could develop into a very good pass rusher. However, to-date, he has trouble getting off blocks and simply has not made many plays.

“Marvin…he is another one who has had his best offseason,” said Nunn. “He’s been healthy for the first time. He’s never been able to go through a true offseason because of different ailments that he’s had. He’s where he needs to be right now, he just can’t disappear when the pads come on. He knows what he’s got to do. I’ve spoken to him about it. When the pads come on he’s got to produce. When he gets out there under the lights he’s got to produce. Right now, he’s got himself in the position to give himself the best opportunity since he’s been here of having a productive year.”

“I thought Marvin performed well this past Saturday (in the preseason game against the Steelers),” said Fewell. “He’s progressed each week in practice. He’s had a full offseason with the OTAs, which he didn’t have in the past. I look for good things from him this Sunday in the football game. This will be a really good opportunity for him to showcase his quickness and his abilities. I think Pittsburgh is really a big massive offensive line. Indy, they’ll play more to the strengths of Marvin and so it will be exciting to see him in this game Sunday.”

“He’s a defensive tackle that, really, we need to see him in the fashion that we anticipated when we drafted him,” said Coughlin. “He’s done well this camp rushing the passer and we really would like to see him do a good job against the run.”

Austin believes he will be fine if he can stay healthy. “It seems like one thing after another,” Austin said. “I’ve been hurt the whole time I’ve been here. I feel like as long as I can stay healthy, I’ll be able to help this team.”

“I’ve watched film with Cullen and Mike Patterson,” said Austin. “They’re very quick and good guys and I feel like I can play in that same mode as them. But one of the vets who has helped me and kept me honest, per say, has been Shaun Rogers. He always checks me out, looks at my technique and tries to help me with different stuff.”

Austin sees all of the new defensive tackles the Giants have brought in. “At the end of the day, the National Football League is about competition and is a business,” said Austin. “I haven’t performed since I’ve been here. They’re looking to see if I can play at the high level they drafted me, and they’re going to protect themselves. They’re giving me a chance to compete, and that’s all I could ask for.”

“If you sit there and dwell on it and be negative, you’re not going to help yourself,” said Austin. “You’re either going to stand up or sit down. You can be a man about it or a coward. That’s all it is. And this game is a man’s game.”

“You see the competition (at defensive tackle),” said Austin. “I want to make this team. I’ve got to show them what I can do. I haven’t shown them anything. Some things don’t have to be said.”

Mike Patterson: Patterson was signed by the Giants in April 2013. Patterson was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. In eight seasons with the Eagles, Patterson played in 115 regular-season games with 99 starts. Patterson underwent brain surgery in January 2012 to repair an arteriovenous malformation. He played in just five games in 2012 before being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list last year with pneumonia. The Eagles waived Patterson in February 2013.

Patterson lacks ideal size (6’1’’, 300 pounds), but he is a good athlete who can be disruptive with his quickness. He has experience in both 1- and 2-gap schemes. Tough, Patterson is a steady run defender and has 16.5 career sacks.

“I thought I was going to still be (with the Eagles), but you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Patterson. “I’m just happy I was able to land on my feet with the Giants. Even though I didn’t play that much last year, it wasn’t due to football injuries. It just came down to me getting sick and me recovering from my surgery. It was nothing to do with on-the-field stuff, so I know I’m perfectly healthy when it comes to playing football.”

Frank Okam: The Giants signed Frank Okam in May 2013 after he impressed at the rookie mini-camp as tryout player. Okam was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Okam has spent time with the Texans (2008-10), Seahawks (2010), and Buccaneers (2010-12). The Buccaneers released Okam in August 2012 and he did not play last season. From 2008-11, Okam played in 25 games with six starts.

Okam is a huge (6’5’’, 350 pounds), strong player with limited overall athleticism and agility. He is a run-stuffing nose tackle type who does not get much heat on the quarterback. Okam has very good tools, but he needs to become a more consistent effort player. Very smart.

Markus Kuhn: Kuhn was selected by the Giants in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Kuhn is German and was only a one-year starter in college. Kuhn was an active member of the defensive tackle rotation last season before tearing the ACL in one of his knees. He was placed on Injured Reserve in November 2012. Kuhn played in 10 games with one start and finished the season with eight tackles and four pass defenses.

Kuhn has a nice combination of size (6’4’’, 299 pounds) and athletic ability. He is a high-energy effort player who can be disruptive with his quickness and intensity. Kuhn is a better run defender than pass rusher.

Kuhn has been on Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List since training camp started as he continues to rehab from his ACL injury. With training camp ending next week, it’s becoming more likely that Kuhn will start the season on the in-season PUP as well, meaning he will have to miss at least the first six games of the regular season. Then a decision will need to be made on whether to activate him, put him on Injured Reserve, or waive him.

Summary: It appears Linval Joseph and Cullen Jenkins will start. Based on the way the coaches and players are talking about Jenkins, he may have a much bigger impact on this team than first realized when he signed. Johnathan Hankins has been everything advertised. The real surprise is Shaun Rogers. He did not have a stellar year in New Orleans in 2011 and is now 34 years old, but he’s been receiving snaps with the first team and definitely seems to be in the team’s plans.

I have a hard time seeing the team parting ways with Marvin Austin at this point. He has a lot of talent and has been improving. Unless he flops the rest of the preseason, I think he’s going to be the fifth defensive tackle.

Markus Kuhn could probably be activated off of the PUP now, but I think the Giants realize that if they did so, they would have to end up cutting him. Look for him to be added to the regular-season PUP.

I think Mike Patterson and Frank Okam can play in this league, but it’s a numbers game for them.

Aug 142013
 
Jerrel Jernigan and Victor Cruz, New York Giants (August 10, 2013)

Jernigan and Cruz – © USA TODAY Sports Images

August 14, 2013 New York Giants Training Camp Reports: The Giants held their 14th training camp practice on Wednesday afternoon at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. The next practice is on Friday from 1:30-3:45PM. For a complete training camp schedule and Giants.com Q&A guide, see the Training Camp section of the website.

Injury Update: Not practicing on Wednesday were RB Da’Rel Scott (shoulder), WR Jerrel Jernigan (soreness), WR Brandon Collins (hamstring), OT Chris DeGeare (ankle), DE Damontre Moore (shoulder), S Antrel Rolle (ankle), S Cooper Taylor (hamstring), FB Henry Hynoski (PUP – knee), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (PUP – back), and DT Markus Kuhn (PUP – knee).

Two days after spraining his ankle, Rolle was out of his walking boot on Wednesday. “The boot is for whimps, man,” said Rolle. “I’m not a whimp. Nah, I mean I’m just taking it as it goes. The first day was obviously the worst and I’ve been grinding til about three in the morning, since it’s happened. Just trying to get better. The training staff here, the medical staff, have been doing an exceptional job of just keeping me up to date, keeping the mobility. Strengthening up, ice and stim. Everything they can do, to try to get me to a speedy recovery.”

“When it initially happened, definitely the worst (pain),” said Rolle. “I didn’t think anything could feel worse than me running into the camera against Carolina, but I think this definitely topped it. Once it happened, my foot was just trembling, shaking, I really didn’t know what to expect. Like I said, I heard a couple of popping sounds and it kind of scared me. I know myself and once I got the clearance of it, the x-rays were negative, it’s a low ankle sprain, then I know I can push myself.”

“I’ve never been the kind of guy that is going to milk an injury,” said Rolle. “If I can go, I’m going to go. If I can’t go, if I’m going to hurt myself, or I’m not going to give the team the best performance I can give them, I’m not going to go. Right now, like I said, it feels a million times better than it did initially.”

Hynoski says he his rehabilitation is still on schedule. “I’m still hopeful (for opening day),” Hynoski said. “I feel good, but ultimately that decision is not made by me. I’m still working to do everything in my power to make that happen.”

“It’s been going great,” said Hynoski. “I’ve been out here running and started to do some drills and agility work and that stuff so we’re picking up the progress every day, and I’m just excited for the next step and am just looking forward to what tomorrow brings. I feel good. Haven’t had any setbacks…I’m working my butt off in trying to rehab and trying to maintain the best condition as I can so when I get back I don’t have to play catch up as far as that’s concerned.”

OL James Brewer (concussion) and CB Corey Webster (soreness) returned to practice, but Brewer was limited to individual drills.

Coach Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of Wednesday’s media sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:

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

WFAN Interviews at Training Camp: Audio clips of Tuesday’s interviews with the following Giants’ officials and players are available at CBSNewYork.com:

  • President/CEO John Mara (Audio)
  • General Manager Jerry Reese (Audio)
  • Head Coach Tom Coughlin (Audio)
  • QB Eli Manning (Audio)
  • RB David Wilson (Audio)
  • WR Victor Cruz (Audio)
  • WR Hakeem Nicks (Audio)
  • OG Chris Snee (Audio)
  • DE Justin Tuck (Audio)
  • S Antrel Rolle (Audio)

Article on TE Larry Donnell: Versatile Larry Donnell Hopes to Stick on Giants’ Final 53-man Roster by Patricia Traina of InsideFootball.com

Article on the Giants’ Defense: After Fewell’s Mandate, Giants Out to Scare Foes Again by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Articles on the Defensive Line:

Article on CB Terrell Thomas: Victor Cruz Sees Terrell Thomas’ Progress by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Jun 222013
 

New York Giants Still in the Mix for Desmond Bishop: According to NFL.com, LB Desmond Bishop is deciding between the Vikings, Chiefs, and Giants. Bishop was released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday.

Giants.com Q&A With WR Rueben Randle: The video of a Giants.com Q&A with WR Rueben Randle is available at Giants.com.

Star-Ledger Q&A With OG Chris Snee: Giants Summer Questionnaire: Pro Bowl Guard Chris Snee by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Article on DT Marvin Austin: Giants’ Marvin Austin Has His Own Beat by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on LB Mark Herzlich: Herzlich Has Edge as Giants’ MLB by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Jun 142013
 

Victor Cruz Signs His 1-Year, $2.879 Million Tender: Though not officially announced, according to multiple press reports, restricted free agent WR Victor Cruz has signed his 1-year, $2.879 million tender. This means it is unlikely that Cruz will hold out of training camp while negotiations on a long-term deal continue since he can be fined $30,000 per day if he holds out. It also prevents the Giants from lowering Cruz’s tender to $630,000, which the team could have done on Monday.

“I’m going to sign my tender today and will continue talks for a long-term deal before camp starts,” said Cruz on Friday morning before he signed the tender.

The Daily News is reporting that the Giants are currently offering Cruz a long-term deal worth more than $8 million per season, but Cruz is supposedly refusing to accept anything below $9 million per season. The Daily News is also reporting that the Giants had not ruled out lowering Cruz’s tender to $630,000. Indeed, NFL.com is reporting that the Giants were going to reduce his tender.

Cruz skipped the Giants’ offseason workout program, all nine Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices, and the recently-completed mini-camp. He did participate in some private workouts for a few days with QB Eli Manning, WR Hakeem Nicks, and WR Louis Murphy at Duke University in April.

Two New York Giants’ Draft Picks Remain Unsigned: Five of the Giants’ seven 2013 NFL Draft picks signed weeks ago. The two who have not signed yet are OL Justin Pugh (1st round) and QB Ryan Nassib (4th round).

“I’m not missing any training camp, I know that right now,’’ said Pugh. “They do things the right way here, so I know we’ll get it done. I’m not worried about it.”

Austin Had Knee Surgery in January: DT Marvin Austin revealed on Thursday that he underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Austin, the Giants’ 2nd round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has had a rough start to his pro career. He missed all of his rookie season with a torn pectoral muscle and he only saw very limited playing time in 2012.

“You see the competition (at defensive tackle),” said Austin. “I want to make this team. I’ve got to show them what I can do. I haven’t shown them anything. Some things don’t have to be said.”

Sights and Sounds from Mini-Camp: A sights and sounds video of action from the Giants’ recently-completed mini-camp (June 11-13) is available at Giants.com.

Article on the Giants’ Defense: Fewell: Giants’ Defensive Unit Will Be Fine by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Article on CB Prince Amukamara: Giants Want Prince to Be ‘More of a Professional,’ Become Defensive Leader by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on CB Terrell Thomas: Giants Cornerback Focused on Recovery, but Also the Future by Tom Pedulla of The New York Times

Article on WR Rueben Randle: Rueben Randle Making Big Strides in Second Season by Bob Glauber of Newsday

Article on the Giants’ Kick Return Game: Will Wilson’s Kick Returner Role Be Reduced? by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Quotes: DT Johnathan Hankins on himself: “I can move, I can pass rush, and I can be a factor out there. With the schemes that they’ve got now, they’ve got me basically playing what I was in college – a little end, a little inside, so pretty much everywhere on the line. I’m just learning all the positions and the plays.”