Nov 252013
 
Victor Cruz, New York Giants (November 24, 2013)

Victor Cruz – © USA TODAY Sports Images

November 25, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday press conference are available at Giants.com.

Injury Report – Pierre-Paul and Cordle Ailing: DE Jason Pierre-Paul did not play well against the Dallas Cowboys and apparently his injured shoulder is giving him problems. Pierre-Paul injured the shoulder three games ago against the Oakland Raiders. “I think there’s no doubt (his injury is) a factor, no doubt,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He’s been injured and he’s been playing injured, he’s been playing with it.”

Meanwhile, OC Jim Cordle has a partially-torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Further testing will be done on Thursday to determine the extent of the damage. “It’s potentially something I could deal with,” Cordle said. “The doctor is coming in Thursday to re-evaluate it. It really just depends on how it is then, based on how we go forward…It’s not that bad right now, but I guess it depends on who is going to look at it. It’s definitely damaged but probably after the season it would require some attention.”

There was no word on CB Trumaine McBride, who suffered a strained groin in the game on Sunday and was forced to leave the contest in the second half.

QB Eli Manning on WFAN: The audio of Monday’s WFAN interview with QB Eli Manning is available at CBSNewYork.com

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

Articles on the Giants-Cowboys Game:

Article on WR Hakeem Nicks: Nicks’ injury isn’t a hernia, but confusion remains by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Nov 242013
 
Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys (November 24, 2013)

Cowboys Win on the Last Play – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Giants Fall Short in Game, and Season: The Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants 24-21 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With the loss, the Giants fall to 4-7 on the season (1-3 in the division). The Giants now trail both the 6-5 Cowboys (4-0 in the division) and 6-5 Eagles (3-2 in the division) with five games to play. In a nutshell, unless the Giants win their remaining games and the Cowboys and Eagles both collapse, the Giants are not going to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The game started off slowly for both teams as the Cowboys and Giants exchanged punts twice. On the second play of Dallas’ third possession, S Antrel Rolle intercepted QB Tony Romo at the Giants’ 21-yard line. However, three plays later, WR Victor Cruz fumbled the football after a short catch at midfield, and the loose ball was returned 50 yards for a touchdown by S Jeff Heath of the Cowboys. Dallas 7 – New York 0.

On New York’s fourth possession, the Giants drove the ball 74 yards in 10 plays, but were forced to settle for a 21-yard field goal after facing a 1st-and-goal situation at the 9-yard line. The Cowboys responded with a 5-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Romo to TE Jason Witten. Cowboys 14 – Giants 3.

The Giants’ offense moved the football well again, driving 65 yards in eight plays. But again, the drive stalled in the red zone. After facing a 1st-and-goal from the 4-yard line, the Giants had to settle for yet another short field goal, this time from 23 yards out.

Neither team threatened in the last four possessions of the second quarter. At the half, Dallas led 14-6.

New York received the football to start the second half and drove from their own 34-yard line to the Dallas 35. However, QB Eli Manning’s pass to Cruz on 4th-and-6 ended the drive and the Giants turned the football over on downs. Dallas then took a commanding lead by drive 65 yards in 10 plays as Romo hit Witten again, this time from two yards out. Midway through the third quarter, the Cowboys led 21-6. That drive was kept alive when a roughing-the-passer penalty on DE Mathias Kiwanuka erased a fumble that was forced by CB Terrell Thomas and recovered by S Will Hill.

The Giants immediately cut into that 15-point advantage by driving 67 yards in six plays. On 4th-and-3 from the Cowboys’ 27-yard line, Manning for TE Brandon Myers for the score. Cowboys 21 – Giants 13.

On the Cowboys’ second possession of the half, they were forced to punt the ball away after crossing midfield near the end of the third quarter. The Giants then went three-and-out, the Cowboys punted after gaining one first down, the Giants went three-and-out again, and Dallas punted the ball away again.

With just under nine minutes to play, and trailing by eight points, New York drove 58 yards in eight plays, with Manning finding WR Louis Murphy for a 4-yard touchdown with just under five minutes to go. RB Andre Brown scored on the 2-point conversion and the game was tied at 21-21.

However, the dramatic comeback was ruined when the Cowboys ended the game with a 14-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a walk-off 35-yard field goal by Dallas with no time left on the clock. The Cowboys converted on three third-down situations on the drive.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 16-of-30 for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His leading receivers were RB Andre Brown (4 catches for 11 yards), WR Rueben Randle (3 catches for 64 yards), and TE Brandon Myers (three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown). The Giants rushed for 202 yards. Brown carried the ball 21 times for 127 yards and RB Brandon Jacobs carried the ball nine times for 75 yards.

Defensively, the Giants allowed 220 net yards passing and 107 net yards rushing. The Giants sacked Romo four times with sacks by DT Cullen Jenkins (twice), DE Justin Tuck (once), and a shared sack by DT Linval Joseph and DE Mathias Kiwanuka. The only forced turnover was Rolle’s interception.

Video highlights/lowlights are available at NFL.com.

Post-Game Injury Report: OC Jim Cordle injured his knee and left the game in the first half. It is not believed to be an ACL tear, but he will undergo an MRI exam. CB Trumaine McBride was forced to leave the game with a groin injury. DE Jason Pierre-Paul had x-rays taken on his injured shoulder after the game.

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.

Player Post-Game Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of post-game media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

New York Giants Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, RB Peyton Hillis, WR Hakeem Nicks (abdomen), TE Adrien Robinson, OC Dallas Reynolds, DT Markus Kuhn, and CB Corey Webster (groin/ankle).

Both teams were flagged 11 time.

Dallas was 4-of-11 on third down, but three of those conversions came on their game-winning field goal drive.

Nov 242013
 
MetLife Stadium, New York Giants (November 10, 2013)

New York Giants Game Day – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Article on the 2013 New York Giants: Despite disastrous 0-6 start, NY Giants’ captains never scuttled the ship by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Article on Today’s New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys Game: Cruz says Giants have winning formula to beat Cowboys by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on the New York Giants Defense: New, improved Giants defense set for Dallas by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on the New York Giants Special Teams: Giants require special effort against Cowboys by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Tom Coughlin is reason NY Giants have meaningful game against Cowboys by Mike Lupica of The Daily News

Articles on QB Eli Manning:

Article on RB Andre Brown: Brown hopes Giants backfield gets hot in the cold by Dan Martin of The New York Post

Articles on New York Giants Wide Receivers:

Article on LB Spencer Paysinger: Spencer Paysinger always puts the team first by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Articles on New York Giants Cornerbacks:

Nov 202013
 
Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (November 17, 2013)

Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Jason Pierre-Paul Named “NFC Defensive Player of the Week”: DE Jason Pierre-Paul has been named the “NFC Defensive Player of the Week” for his performance against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Pierre-Paul returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown in the Giants’ 27-13 victory over the Packers. Pierre-Paul was also credited with three tackles in the game.

This is Pierre-Paul’s third “NFC Player of the Week” award. He was honored in Weeks 14 and 16 of the 2011 season, following standout performances against Dallas (eight tackles, two sacks, and a blocked field goal) and the Jets (five tackles and two sacks).

Pierre-Paul joins LB Lawrence Taylor (nine times) and DE Michael Strahan (three times) as the only Giants named “NFC Defensive Player of the Week” at least three times.

November 20, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report – Nicks and Conner Miss Practice: Not practicing on Wednesday were DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), CB Terrell Thomas (knee), CB Trumaine McBride (hip), RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), FB Jon Conner (hip), and WR Hakeem Nicks (groin).

CB Corey Webster (groin/ankle) practiced on a limited basis.

November 20, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Wednesday press conference are available at BigBlueInteractive.com and Giants.com, respectively.

November 20, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of Wednesday’s media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Articles on the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys Game:

Article on CB Prince Amukamara: Giants Spotlight: Prince Amukamara blossoming into all-around player by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Nov 132013
 
Terrell Thomas, New York Giants (November 10, 2013)

Terrell Thomas – © USA TODAY Sports Images

November 13, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report – Jason Pierre-Paul Says He Might Not Play Sunday: Not practicing on Wednesday were DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), CB Terrell Thomas (knee), CB Corey Webster (groin/ankle), RB Brandon Jacobs (hamstring/knee), and TE Bear Pascoe (ankle).

“(Pierre-Paul is) still sore, but he’s still optimistic and so are we,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “I would hope (he would practice on Thursday).”

However, Pierre-Paul was not as optimistic. “I don’t know if I’m going to play Sunday,” said Pierre-Paul. “I don’t. That’s the honest answer. At this point, I’m just taking it day-by-day and see how I feel on Sunday…I’m not going to go out there unless I feel comfortable with my shoulder…It just hurts. I’m not going to be ready (to practice on Thursday).”

Coughlin was asked about the status of Corey Webster, who hasn’t played much this season. “I thought we were over the hump a couple of weeks ago when he was able to just play a few plays, but there was an ankle injury in there and he’s still trying to recover from that.”

“Brandon Jacobs is not going to work, he’s scheduled to work (on Thursday),” said Coughlin.

Practice Squad Moves: The Houston Texans signed S Jawanza Starling from the Giants’ Practice Squad on Wednesday. Starling was added to the Giants’ Practice Squad in September after the Texans had waived him.

To fill that vacancy, the Giants signed LB Marcus Dowtin to the Practice Squad. Dowtin has spent time with the Jets, Eagles, and Bills.

November 13, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Wednesday press conference are available at Giants.com

November 13, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of Wednesday’s media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on General Manager Jerry Reese: Peace of Reese: Moves give Giants GM some respite, for now by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on the Giants-Raiders Game: Giants vs. Raiders rewind: Breaking down a third straight win by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Article on the New York Giants Offense: Offense works around lack of big plays by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Nov 112013
 
Cooper Taylor (30), New York Giants (November 10, 2013)

Cooper Taylor returning a blocked punt for a TD – © USA TODAY Sports Images

November 11, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday press conference are available at Giants.com.

QB Eli Manning on WFAN: The audio of Monday’s WFAN interview with QB Eli Manning is available at CBSNewYork.com

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

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

Article on the Giants-Raiders Game: Giants vs. Raiders snap counts: Andre Brown takes over, Terrell Thomas makes the most of limited time by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Article on QB Eli Manning: Giants top Raiders, no thanks to Eli by Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on the New York Giants Safeties:

Nov 102013
 
Andre Brown, New York Giants (November 10, 2013)

Andre Brown – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Win Third Game in a Row, Beat Oakland Raiders 24-20:  The New York Giants defeated the Oakland Raiders 24-20 on Sunday afternoon at a windy MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With the victory, the Giants have improved their record to 3-6; it is New York’s third win in a row after starting the season 0-6.

Offensive and special teams miscues by the Giants kept the game closer than it probably should have been. WR Jerrel Jernigan fumbled away the opening kickoff. The ball was recovered by the Raiders at the Giants’ 27-yard line and returned to the 5-yard line. Two plays later, QB Terrell Pryor of the Raiders scored from one yard out and the Oakland was up quickly 7-0.

The Giants went three-and-out on their first offensive possession. The Raiders crossed midfield but were pushed back a holding penalty. Four plays later, on 4th-and-15, DE Damontre Moore blocked Oakland’s punt. S Cooper Taylor recovered the loose ball at the the Raiders’ 21-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. The game was tied at 7-7.

Oakland picked up first down on their third possession, but then punted. On New York’s second possession, the Giants also picked up one first down, but were pushed back by an 11-yard sack. On 3rd-and-20, RB Peyton Hillis fumbled the ball away after a short pass from QB Eli Manning on a screen play. The ball was recovered by the Raiders at the Giants’ 21-yard line. New York’s defense held and forced a 33-yard field goal. Raiders 10 – Giants 7.

New York’s offense continued to struggle on their third possession as the Giants only picked up one first down and then punted. On the Giants’ first three offensive possessions, the Giants only gained two first downs and 20 yards, with two punts and one fumble. After the Raiders went three-and-out, the offense finally got its act together, driving 90 yards in 11 plays. The drive culminated with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Manning to WR Rueben Randle. Giants 14 – Raiders 10.

On the ensuing Raiders’ possession, Oakland picked up a couple of first downs but was forced to punt, the ball being downed at the Giants’ 3-yard line with less than five minutes to go in the half. The Giants moved the ball to their own 37-yard line. But on 1st-and-10 with 1:28 left before intermission, Manning’s pass intended for WR Victor Cruz was intercepted by CB Tracy Porter at the Giants’ 43-yard line and returned for a touchdown.

At the half, the Raiders led 17-14.

The Raiders extended their lead to 20-14 with their best offensive drive of the game on their opening possession of the third quarter. The Raiders march 74 yards in 14 plays and had the ball 1st-and-goal at the Giants’ 1-yard line. But New York’s defense held and forced a 23-yard field goal. That would be Oakland’s last points of the game.

The Giants’ offense went three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. A bad punt by P Steve Weatherford traveled only 27 yards and gave the Raiders the ball at the Giants’ 48-yard line. (Weatherford had a rough day punting, averaging only 30 yards per punt). After picking up a first down, the Raiders faced a 3rd-and-9 from the Giants’ 33-yard line. CB Terrell Thomas picked off Pryor at the 30-yard line and returned the interception 65 yards to the Oakland 5-yard line. Two plays later, RB Andre Brown scored from one yard out and the Giants regained the lead 21-20.

The Raiders went three-and-out and punted the ball away as the third quarter expired. The Giants’ offense then drove 70 yards in 13 plays, but were not able to punch the ball in after facing 1st-and-goal from the 4-yard line. New York settled for a 23-yard field goal by PK Josh Brown and a 24-20 advantage.

The Raiders and Giants then exchanged three-and-outs. Weatherford’s punt was partially blocked and only travelled seven yards with less than five minutes to play in the game. Oakland picked up one first down, but on third-and-10, Pryor was sacked by DE Mathias Kiwanuka, who stripped the football loose. DT Cullen Jenkins recovered with 3:21 left in the game. The Giants successfully ran out the clock with Andre Brown carrying the load.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 12-of-22 for 140 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His leading receivers were WR Hakeem Nicks (four catches for 49 yards), Randle (three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown), and Cruz (three catches for 37 yards). Andre Brown carried the ball 30 times for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, S Antrel Rolle led the team with 12 tackles, one sack, and one tackle for a loss. LB Keith Rivers had eight tackles, one sack, and one tackle for a loss. Defensive ends Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason-Pierre-Paul each had sacks as well. Thomas picked off one pass and Jenkins recovered a fumble that Kiwanuka forced.

Video highlights are available at NFL.com. The video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game locker room speech is available at Giants.com.

Injury Report: DE Jason Pierre-Paul left the game with a shoulder injury (stinger) but returned. X-rays were negative.

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.

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

New York Giants Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, RB Brandon Jacobs (hamstring/knee), TE Adrien Robinson (foot), OC Dallas Reynolds, DT Markus Kuhn, CB Corey Webster (groin/ankle), and CB Jayron Hosley (hamstring).

The Giants won their sixth consecutive game following a regular-season bye.

The Giants trailed at halftime, 17-14. This was their first victory in a game in which they trailed at the half since September 16, 2012 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants had lost their last 10 games when trailing at the half, including six this season.

The Giants committed only one penalty for five yards.

The game featured the Giants’ first blocked punt for a touchdown since 1988. The touchdown was also the Giants’ first non-offensive touchdown this season.

RB Andre Brown started at running back, the sixth player to start at that position this season. Brown’s 30 carries and 115 yards were both single-game career highs.

QB Eli Manning has thrown three interceptions for touchdowns this season. Manning has thrown 16 interceptions this season, one more than he had for all of 2012.

The Giants’ defense had four sacks for the second game in a row.

Nov 042013
 
David Wilson (22), Eli Manning (10), New York Giants (September 15, 2013)

David Wilson and Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

November 4, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report – David Wilson Better, But Still Not Cleared: Not practicing on Monday were RB David Wilson (neck) and CB Corey Webster (groin).

Wilson underwent another MRI on Monday to determine if his neck has improved. Wilson originally injured his neck on October 6 in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants announced that while Wilson’s herniated disc has significantly improved, Wilson has not yet been cleared to resume football activities. The Giants say Wilson will undergo another evaluation in several weeks.

Giants Waive LB Dan Connor Off of Injured Reserve: The Giants waived LB Dan Connor off of Injured Reserve on Monday. Conner was placed on Injured Reserve on September 12 with a neck injury (burner).

Giants Sign CB Brandon Jones to Practice Squad: The Giants signed CB Brandon Jones to the Practice Squad on Monday. The Giants terminated the Practice Squad contract of RB Jeremy Wright last week.

November 4, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday press conference are available at Giants.com.

November 4, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Monday’s media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on the New York Giants Offense: Giants offense headed in new direction? by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: Is Eli Manning finding groove with shorter drops and attempts? by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Nov 032013
 
Justin Tuck, New York Giants (October 27, 2013)

Justin Tuck – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Articles on the New York Giants and the Bye Week:

Article on RB Andre Brown: Recovered Andre Brown planning to hit the ground running by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Article on the New York Giants Defensive Line: Giants defensive line second-oldest in NFL by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Articles the New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Oct 302013
 
Terrell Thomas, New York Giants (October 6, 2013)

Terrell Thomas – © USA TODAY Sports Images

General Manager Jerry Reese on WFAN: The audio of Wednesday’s WFAN interview with General Manager Jerry Reese is available at CBSNewYork.com

David Diehl Doesn’t See Hakeem Nicks Returning to the Giants: OT David Diehl told ProFootballTalk.com on Wednesday that he does not see WR Hakeem Nicks returning to the Giants in 2014. Nicks will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2013 season.

“I don’t see it happening,” Diehl said. “I would love to see it, he is like a brother to me, he lived with me when he first got drafted by the Giants because we have the same agent. So I knew him coming out of college. But for the sheer fact that we just paid Victor Cruz, there is a lot of money to be had and Hakeem Nicks is a No. 1 receiver and someone is going to pay him that money.”

CB Terrell Thomas Named “NFC Defensive Player of the Week”: New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas has been named “NFC Defensive Player of the Week” for his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Thomas led the Giants with 11 tackles (10 solo), a sack, and a forced fumble that was recovered by the Giants, ending Philadelphia’s most serious offensive scoring threat of the game.

Thomas is the first Giants’ cornerback to be named “NFC Defensive Player of the Week” since Aaron Ross in Week 11 of the 2008 season. The other Giants corners to win the award since its inception in 1984 are Everson Walls (1990), Jason Sehorn (twice in 1997), and Phillippi Sparks (1998).

This is the 37th time a Giants player has received the award.

Giants Workout 20 Players: As is usually the case on Tuesday, and especially during the week of the bye, the Giants worked out a number of street free agents on Tuesday, 20 to be specific. To see the full list of those who were worked out, see The-Star Ledger.

Article on General Manager Jerry Reese and Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Giants’ Tom Coughlin, Jerry Reese are in this together by Tara Sullivan of The Bergen Record

Article on General Manager Jerry Reese: How much blame does Giants GM Jerry Reese deserve? Here’s the verdict by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: No one reason for Eli Manning’s picks by Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on TE Brandon Myers: Pope preaches patience with Myers by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Articles on the Giants Defensive Line:

Article on S Will Hill: Safeties coach Merritt impressed by Will Hill by Dan Salomone of Giants.com