Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Giants’ preseason dates & times

The NFL has confirmed the dates and kickoff times for all 65 preseason games on the 2013 calendar, beginning with the annual Hall of Fame Game between the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys in Canton, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 4.

For the Giants, their preseason schedule is as follows:

Saturday, August 10
NY Giants at Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, August 18
Indianapolis at NY Giants (FOX) 7:00 p.m. ET

VIEW COMPLETE 2013 SCHEDULE >>

Saturday, August 24
NY Jets at NY Giants 7:00 p.m. ET

Thursday, August 29
NY Giants at New England 7:30 p.m. ET

QUICK HITS

» RB Michael Cox on football influences

» QB Ryan Nassib talks first impressions

» Giants add six to roster after mini-camp

» WATCH Giants Insider: Safety Cooper Taylor

NJ Senate passes “Steve Sabol Day”

The New Jersey Senate approved on Monday a resolution to make Oct. 2 “Steve Sabol Day” in honor of the late NFL Films president, who passed away last September at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with brain cancer.

Sponsored by Senators Diane Allen and Dawn Marie Addiego, the day – which coincides with Sabol’s birthday – will remember the creative force behind the unique brand of storytelling and cinematography who brought America closer to the game of football for the past five decades.

“Steve Sabol is one of New Jersey’s most innovative entrepreneurs and his creativity has revolutionized both sports and documentary cinematography around the world,” Allen said. “He has made Mount Laurel the home of America’s favorite sport, having created a model business employing hundreds of people and boasting the world’s largest sports film library. He showed us the passion of the game — and made it our passion, too.”

“With ingenuity and grace, Steve Sabol has humanized America’s favorite sport bringing people inside the hearts and minds of their football heroes,” added Addiego. “Continuing Steve Sabol’s passion, NFL Films will continue to make Burlington County proud, as it chronicles the season of Super Bowl XLVIII.”

QUICK HITS

» Giants owners remember NFL Films’ Steve Sabol

» QB Ryan Nassib talks first impressions

» Giants Insider: Tackle Justin Pugh

» BBK – 5/13: Rookies who impressed

Twitter: Rookies wrap up mini-camp

Great rookie mini camp in the books! #NYGiants—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) May 12, 2013

Chillin with my boyz #RookieClass #giants—
Damontre' Moore (@tmoore94) May 12, 2013

New beginning instagram.com/p/ZOranlJc5I/—
Damontre' Moore (@tmoore94) May 12, 2013

Rookie Mini Camp officially over, lovin the offense. Now getting ready for the next stage #gmen—
Ryan Nassib (@Ryan_Nassib) May 12, 2013

The Giants are all coming together tomorrow, I don't think I will sleep tonight. #AnotherStep #dreams #Giants—
Eric Herman (@Hermans_House) May 13, 2013

Loving the new hat. instagram.com/p/ZGiXZUGqLC/—
Eric Herman (@Hermans_House) May 09, 2013

#Rookie minicamp has finished. Another great start to the #2013 #nyg #giants season. #nfl #nygiants instagram.com/p/ZN3hMrhIbw/—
Joseph Skiba (@JosephSkiba) May 12, 2013

MINI-CAMP QUICK HITS

» Giants add six to roster after mini-camp

» DT Johnathan Hankins adjusting to Giants

» Quotes: Coaches assess rookies at camp

» NYG signs former 1st rounder Aaron Curry

» Quotes: Coordinator Kevin Gilbride

» Eli helps Rookies Pugh & Nassib adjust

WATCH: Rookie Mini-Camp Wrap-Up Report

NFC East: Who’s coming, going, or staying

With rookies reporting to mini-camp this week, Giants.com takes a look at the comings and goings around the NFC East as the league moves one step closer to competition:

Washington Redskins

Coming: QB Pat White, T Jeremy Trueblood (from Tampa Bay), DE Phillip Merling (Green Bay), CB E.J. Biggers (Tampa Bay), LB Darryl Tapp (Philadelphia)
Going: LB Lorenzo Alexander (to Arizona)
Staying: CB DeAngelo Hall (released, re-signed), TE Fred Davis (UFA), G Kory Lichtensteiger, FB Darrel Young, DT Kedric Golston, LB Bryan Kehl, P Sav Rocca, LB Rob Jackson, TE Logan Paulsen, LS Nick Sundberg, T Tyler Polumbus, QB Rex Grossman (UFA)
TBD: DE Chris Baker (RFA), WR Brandon Banks (UFA), T Jordan Black (UFA), T Jammal Brown (UFA), TE Chris Cooley (UFA), SS Cedric Griffin (UFA), FS Madieu Williams (UFA), LB Chris Wilson (UFA)

Drafted: CB David Amerson (N.C. State), TE Jordan Reed (Florida), S Phillip Thomas (Fresno State), RB Chris Thompson (FSU), OLB Brandon Jenkins (FSU), S Bacarri Rambo (Georgia), RB Jawan Jamison (Rutgers)

Dallas Cowboys

Coming: LB Justin Durant (from Detroit), S Will Allen (Pittsburgh)
Going: CB Mike Jenkins (to Oakland), DE Kenyon Coleman (to New Orleans), DE Marcus Spears (released, signed with Baltimore), S Gerald Sensabaugh (released), LB Dan Connor (to NY Giants), WR Kevin Ogletree (to Tampa Bay), TE John Phillips (to San Diego), LB Victor Butler (to New Orleans)
Staying: LB Anthony Spencer (franchised), C Phil Costa, LB Ernie Sims, WR Anthony Armstrong (released, re-signed), S Danny McCray
TBD: RB Felix Jones (UFA), P Brian Moorman (UFA), S Danny McCray (RFA), G Derrick Dockery (UFA), S Charlie Peprah (UFA), S Eric Frampton (UFA)

Drafted: C Travis Frederick (Wisconsin), TE Gavin Escobar (San Diego State), WR Terrance Williams (Baylor), S J. J. Wilcox (Georgia Southern), CB B.W. Webb (William & Mary), RB Joseph Randle (Oklahoma State), OLB DeVonte Holloman (South Carolina)

Philadelphia Eagles

Coming: LB Connor Barwin (from Houston), S Kenny Phillips (NY Giants), DT Isaac Sopoaga (San Francisco), S Patrick Chung (New England), CB Cary Williams (Baltimore), FB James Casey (Houston), CB Bradley Fletcher (St. Louis), LB Jason Phillips (Carolina), P Donnie Jones (Houston)
Going: DT Cullen Jenkins (released, signed with NY Giants), CB Nnamdi Asomugha (released, signed with San Francisco), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (to Denver), DT Mike Patterson (released; signed with NY Giants), T King Dunlap (to San Diego), DT Derek Landri (to Tampa Bay), DE Darryl Tapp (to Washington), QB Trent Edwards (released), LB Akeem Jordan (to Kansas City)
Staying: S Colt Anderson, LS Jon Dorenbos
TBD: G Jake Scott (UFA)

Drafted: OT Lane Johnson (Oklahoma), TE Zach Ertz (Stanford), DT Bennie Logan (LSU), QB Matt Barkley (USC), S Earl Wolff (N.C. State), DE Joe Kruger (Utah), CB Jordan Poyer (Oregon State), DE David King (Oklahoma)

Three Giants make PFF’s ‘Top 101′

Every year, the people over at Pro Football Focus get together to rank the top 101 players from the previous season. Their countdown is over, and three Giants have made the list: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 46), LT Will Beatty (No. 85), and QB Eli Manning (No. 90).

Here is a look at what PFF had to say about the Top 101 of 2012, and keep in mind players were graded solely on 2012 with all positions weighted equally.

46. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants (Last year: 17^th)

The danger was always there with how people viewed “JPP”. As good as his 2011 season was the emphasis placed on his sack numbers were always going to come back to bite him. And while it’s true he didn’t have quite the same impact as he did when the Giants won it all, it shouldn’t take away from a tremendously complete season he put forward. Excellent against the run, there’s no shame in the 55 QB disruptions he managed.

Best Performance: Week 14 versus New Orleans, +6.0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Key Stat: His 30 defensive stops in the run game were the third-most of any 4-3 defensive end.

85. Will Beatty, LT, New York Giants (Last year: Unranked)

Injury meant Beatty didn’t start the season as the Giants’ left tackle. Whether injuries handed him his starting job back, or it was the Giants’ plan all along, the former second-round pick didn’t take much time showing everyone what he was capable of. A fine pass protector, Beatty is one of those left tackles who can actually generate some movement in the run game as well.

Best Performance: Week 3 at Carolina, +5.4 WATCH HGHLIGHTS
Key Stat: Allowed just three sacks and zero quarterback hits all season long.

90. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (Last year: 8^th)

While Eli was unable to replicate his marvelous 2011, let’s not pretend he didn’t play extremely well for most of the season. While some performances disappointed (notably against Pittsburgh and Atlanta) Manning was able to almost carry his struggling Giants into the playoffs with his usual array of clutch throws.

Best Performance: Week 2 versus Tampa Bay, +6.3 WATCH HGHLIGHTS
Key Stat: Completion percentage under pressure dropped to 47.9% in 2012, after it was 55.6% a year earlier.

While the 49ers led all teams with 13 selections, the top player ranked was DE J.J. Watt (Texans), followed by RB Adrian Peterson (Vikings), DT Geno Atkins (Bengals), LB Von Miller (Broncos), and CB Richard Sherman (Seahawks).

QUICK HITS

» Eisen’s Mailbag: Stevie Brown’s role

» Giants add Bill Parcells to Hall of Fame wall

» Fact or Fiction: Which rookies will start?

» Senior Bowl scouting helped Giants Draft

» O-Line preps Justin Pugh for initiation

Giants move up in post-draft power rankings

With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Giants find themselves up in ESPN’s latest power rankings released this week, climbing two spots to No. 12.

In the post-draft poll, the Giants landed right behind the Washington Redskins, who moved up the same amount to No. 11. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who face the Giants in the season opener in four months, fell to No. 20 (previously 18), and the Eagles moved up one spot to 25^th.

Over on NFL.com, the Giants cracked the top 10, moving up one spot and passing the Redskins right at No. 10. Dallas dropped two places to 18th, and Philadelphia jumped to No. 23.

The Giants drafted seven players last weekend — four on the offensive and defensive lines – to build on a 2012 team that finished 9-7 but fell short of the playoffs a season after winning it all.

QUICK HITS

» Senior Bowl scouting helped Giants Draft

» O-Line preps Justin Pugh for initiation

» Experts grade Giants’ 2013 Draft Picks

» WATCH: Giants Draft Picks at NFL Combine

QB Ryan Nassib the best pick of 2013 Draft?

When Ryan Nassib was still available after 109 picks in this year’s draft, Jerry Reese and the Giants traded up for the Syracuse quarterback and took him with the 110^th overall selection.  After the draft, Reese, the Giants’ general manager, said the value was too high to pass up, and Bill Polian agreed.

The former six-time NFL Executive of the Year and current ESPN analyst placed the decision to draft Nassib at the top of his list of best moves from the weekend. Here’s his analysis:

As I mentioned before the draft, there were no quarterbacks that I believed warranted an early selection. But that doesn’t mean the position is devoid of talent. Just that these prospects need time to develop and make use of some of their tools and ability. With Nassib, he’s going to get precisely that.

Playing behind Eli Manning, there will be no rush in his development. He can sit back, watch and learn, all while providing the Giants with a terrific safety net in the event of an injury to Eli and perhaps even proving to be Manning’s successor.

By Nassib’s third year in the pros, Manning will be 35, an age at which statistics have shown QBs usually start to break down physically. Their skills may not have diminished, but the accumulation of the punishment they’ve endured starts to take its toll and injury becomes far more common. By the time that starts to impact Eli, Nassib should be experienced to the point where the Giants will feel comfortable inserting him into a game and still feeling they have better than a 50-percent chance to win.

It may have seemed like a strange pick because quarterback isn’t an immediate need for the Giants. But this pick was made with the long view in mind. And I think it was a very savvy selection.

QUICK HITS

» Photos of the Giants 2013 Draft Class

Players welcome new draft picks

Welcome Mr. Pugh. And good night Twitfam—
Justin Tuck (@JustinTuckNYG91) April 26, 2013

Welcome to Big Blue @JustinPugh67—
Andre Brown (@drebrown35) April 26, 2013

Welcome to the squad Justin Pugh! #NYG—
Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP) April 26, 2013

From Syracuse to NYC, keeping it in state! Lets go G-men! Can't wait to get this thing started!!!! Best day of my life!!!—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 26, 2013

“@davediehl66: Congrats @JustinPugh67 and welcome to the Giants O Line room.” Thanks ready to learn from the best. See you soon.—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 26, 2013

See how many new followers my newest teammate gets after joining the greatest franchise in the NFL!!! Welcome to the family @JustinPugh67—
Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) April 26, 2013

Best of luck to all the players in this years draft…wish you all the best in your upcoming NFL careers!—
Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) April 25, 2013

Me and @Ryan_Nassib are the newest New York Giants. Lets go! http://t.co/0g3psaGhk7—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 27, 2013

Welcome @Ryan_Nassib I'm freaking!!!—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 27, 2013

Ok Ryan Nassib! Welcome to #NYG you get to learn from one of the best in the game—
Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP) April 27, 2013

Congrats to all the gators drafted this week!! And watch out for all those gators that were signed as UDFA's!!!! Don't sleep on em!—
Justin Trattou (@Justin_Trattou) April 28, 2013

To all those UDFA out there…stay the course…im living proof that everyone will get a chance if they work hard and want it enough!—
Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) April 27, 2013

Penn State vs. Syracuse comes to MetLife Stadium

College football tickets for Penn State vs. Syracuse (Sat., August 31, 2013) at MetLife Stadium are on sale now. 

Penn State and Syracuse open their 2013 football season at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, August 31.

Penn State returns 16 starters and 38 letter-winners for the 2013 season. In his first season as head coach, Bill O’Brien led Penn State to wins in eight of its final 10 games, beating eventual Big Ten champion Wisconsin on Senior Day to finish 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big Ten.

Syracuse will ride the momentum of two bowl victories in the last three years and the 2012 BIG EAST co-Championship into the Atlantic Coast Conference. First-year head coach Scott Shafer welcomes back 12 starters, including five on offense and seven on defense, from the 2012 ECAC FBS Team of the Year.

VISIT TICKETMASTER.COM TO PURCHASE TICKETS

How many Giants will make NFL’s Top 100?

The debate doesn’t stop at the NFL Draft. That’s where it begins.

Shortly after the 254^th selection of the NFL Draft is announced Saturday night, NFL Network will debut its first installment of Top 100 Players of 2013. For the third straight year, current players have voted to determine the list, which will be unveiled in increments of 10 beginning Saturday, April 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET and ending with the top player crowned in late June.

Five members of the Giants earned a nod in 2012: WR Hakeem Nicks (90), DE Justin Tuck (62), WR Victor Cruz (39), QB Eli Manning (31), and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (24).

Here’s a complete look at 2012′s ranking:

100. RB Chris Johnson, Titans
99. C Ryan Kalil, Panthers
98. RB Willis McGahee, Broncos
97. OT Donald Penn, Buccaneers
96. LB D’Qwell Jackson, Browns
95. QB Tim Tebow, Jets
94. RB Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
93. CB Cortland Finnegan, Rams
92. FB John Kuhn, Packers
91. QB Tony Romo, Cowboys

90. WR Hakeem Nicks, Giants
89. DE Dwight Freeney, Colts
88. RB Michael Turner, Falcons
87. LB London Fletcher, Redskins
86. RB Darren Sproles, Saints
85. LB NaVorro Bowman, 49ers
84. DE Chris Long, Rams
83. RB Fred Jackson, Bills
82. OT Joe Thomas, Browns
81. DT Vince Wilfork, Patriots

80. WR Jordy Nelson, Packers
79. Nnamdi Asomugha, Eagles
78. LB Derrick Johnson, Chiefs
77. WR A.J. Green, Bengals
76. OL Carl Nicks, Buccaneers
75. TE Jason Witten, Cowboys
74. QB Joe Flacco, Ravens
73. CB Johnathan Joseph Texans
72. LB Lance Briggs, Bears
71. WR DeSean Jackson, Eagles

70. QB Michael Vick, Eagles
69. CB Carolos Rogers, 49ers
68. DE Elvis Dumervil, Broncos
67. OT Joe Staley, 49ers
66. S Earl Thomas, Seahawks
65. WR Roddy White, Falcons
64. G Logan Mankins, Patriots
63. LB LaMarr Woodley, Steelers
62. DE Justin Tuck, Giants
61. QB Philip Rivers, Chargers

60. RB Darren McFadden, Raiders
59. OT Jake Long, Dolphins
58. LB Jonathan Vilma, Saints
57. DE Trent Cole, Eagles
56. WR Greg Jennings, Packers
55. CB Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
54. LB Brian Cushing, Texans
53. TE Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
52. LB Von Miller, Broncos
51. LB Brian Urlacher, Bears

50. QB Peyton Manning, Broncos
49. C Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers
48. WR Devin Hester, Bears
47. WR Mike Wallace, Steelers
46. CB Champ Bailey, Broncos
45. FB Vonta Leach, Ravens
44. DE Jason Babin, Eagles
43. TE Vernon Davis, 49ers
42. OT Jason Peters, Eagles
41. QB Matthew Stafford, Lions

40. QB Cam Newton, Panthers
39. WR Victor Cruz, Giants
38. DT Ndamukong Suh, Lions
37. RB Steven Jackson, Rams
36. CB Charles Woodson, Packers
35. WR Steve Smith, Panthers
34. LB Tamba Hali, Chiefs
33. RB Matt Forte, Bears
32. G Jahri Evans, Saints
31. QB Eli Manning, Giants

30. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
29. LB James Harrison, Steelers
28. RB Frank Gore, 49ers
27. LB Clay Matthews, Packers
26. DE Julius Peppers, Bears
25. RB Arian Foster, Texans
24. DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants
23. WR Wes Welker, Patriots
22. RB Ray Rice, Ravens
21. TE Rob Gronkowski, Patriots

20. LB Ray Lewis, Ravens
19. S Troy Polamalu, Steelers
18. RB LeSean McCoy, Eagles
17. DE Justin Smith, 49ers
16. S Ed Reed, Ravens
15. WR Andre Johnson, Texans
14. TE Jimmy Graham, Saints
13. DE Jared Allen, Vikings
12. RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
11. LB Terrell Suggs, Ravens

10. LB Patrick Willis, 49ers
9. DT Haloti Ngata, Ravens
8. RB Adrian Peterson, Vikings
7. WR Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
6. LB DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys
5. CB Darrelle Revis, Jets
4. QB Tom Brady, Patriots
3. WR Calvin Johnson, Lions
2. QB Drew Brees, Saints
1. QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers

QUICK HITS

» WR Louis Murphy can bring big play offense

» 2013 Schedule out, Giants open at Dallas

» Rich Seubert to announce 2nd round pick

» GM Jerry Reese fields Victor Cruz questions

» WATCH - Draft Experts: Top CB’s

» Giants Offseason Report: Schedule analysis