Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Daily Blitz: HOF Weekend signals start of preseason

Ready or not, the 2012 NFL preseason is officially underway.

With yesterday’s Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio — where New Orleans beat Arizona, 17-10 – all 32 teams are on the clock and a month away from making it count.

That means the Giants are in game mode this week, having three practices until Friday’s preseason opener in Jacksonville. Kicked off by the induction ceremony on Saturday, it also means former Giants great Michael Strahan is a year away from possible enshrinement.

The NFL’s single-season sack record holder and 2001 Defensive Player of the Year will join the likely pool of candidates along with defensive tackle Warren Sapp, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, and guard Larry Allen. That’s not to mention past nominees, including coach Bill Parcells and wide receiver Cris Carter.

While teams open their gates to the 2012 season and all that unfolds, we’ll wait to see whose busts are unveiled in a year’s time.

Congratulations to all the NFL Hall of Fame inductees. Played against most of you and I respect you and honor you!!!!—
Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) August 05, 2012

UPDATE:

It was a proud weekend for University of Pittsburgh football fans and alumni, including Giants fullback Henry Hynoski.

Two of his fellow Panthers – running back Curtis Martin and defensive end Chris Doleman – were enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, bringing the school’s total up to eight players (tied for third among NCAA programs).

“They’re two great players that really exemplify what it takes to be a Pitt Panther,” Hynoski said before Monday’s practice. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and we’re just happy they’re on our side.”

After their respective college careers, Martin (drafted out of Pitt in 1995) became the NFL’s fourth all-time leading rusher at the time of retirement, while Doleman (1985) finished his pro career fourth on the career sack list.

“I never met them personally, but I just heard stories about how great of guys they are and how unbelievable they were when they were there as players – and as people, too,” said Hynoski, whose father, Henry Sr., was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and was drafted as a running back by the Cleveland Browns.

The Hynocerous was a prolific runner himself, finishing sixth in Pennsylvania history with 7,165 career rushing yards in high school.

QUICK HITS

>> Photo Essay: NFL training camp drills as Olympic events. [NFL.com]

>> Giants’ defense doing its best to shut down Victor Cruz. [Mike Garafolo, The Star-Ledger]

>> NY Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul is adding mental game to absurd physical gifts. [Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News]