Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Inside the Locker Room: Preparation for the Buccaneers

DE Justin Tuck
Thoughts on facing former Giants’ Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan…
“He knows our strengths and weaknesses, he knows situation football as far as what we like. I think in the same route, we know what he likes. We remember his calls, we remember what he likes to do on third and long, what he likes to do on third-and-short or first-and-ten, whatever. To certain situations, formations, so I think it works both ways. We’ll just see. At the end of the day, it comes down to who plays their keys the best and plays the best football.”

Safety Antrel Rolle
Thoughts on Coach Coughlin’s message during the time off…
“I think he pretty much stays consistent in his approach and the message he tries to deliver us, just to always get better and strive to get better each and every week. That’s pretty much our motto, to go out there and be ‘all in’ and all focus, be as attentive as you can, and go out there and put the best ball on the field that we can, come Sunday.”

DT Linval Joseph
Thoughts on leading DEs Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Osi Umenyiora in sacks…
“I mean it’s different for them, normally they have all the sacks, that’s going to push them harder…”

Daily Blitz: 105M tune in on ‘Kickoff Weekend’

How big can it get? The NFL wrapped up another Kickoff Weekend this Monday night, and the official numbers in.

A total of 105.9 million fans couldn’t wait to get “Back to Football” and tuned into games on CBS, ESPN, FOX and NBC (Sept. 5-10) to mark the third consecutive year with a total reach exceeding 105 million viewers.

Also for the third straight year, telecasts averaged 23 million viewers — NBC Sunday night game (Steelers-Broncos, 27.6 million), FOX national game telecast (mostly 49ers-Packers, 26.4 million) and the NBC Wednesday Kickoff game (Cowboys-Giants, 23.9 million). Those telecasts rank as three of the six most-watched non-Olympic programs among all television shows since Super Bowl XLVI, according to the NFL.

Below are additional notes from Kickoff Weekend.

NATIONAL

» NBC’s Sunday Night Football opener (Steelers-Broncos) posted the highest rating ever for a Sunday night game (16.5). The average of 27.57 million viewers for Steelers-Broncos ranks second in NBC Sunday night history (27.62 million viewers for Cowboys-Giants on Jan. 1, 2012).

» With 26.4 million average viewers, the FOX national telecast (mostly 49ers-Packers) posted its second-best Kickoff Sunday ever (28.0 million for Packers-Eagles in 2010).

LOCAL

» NFL games ranked first in all 30 NFL markets for the fourth consecutive Kickoff Weekend. NFL games also topped the ratings in 55 of Nielsen’s 56 metered markets — up from 53 of 56 metered markets in 2011. In addition, the second-highest rated show in 29 of the 30 NFL markets wasalso NFL programming.

» Four teams delivered record-setting ratingsfor season-openers in their home markets led by Baltimore (40.9 rating) followed by San Diego (37.8), Seattle (27.5), and the Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants (20.0).

» Five clubs (Denver, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Seattle) posted local ratings increases of more than 20 percent for Week 1.

QUICK HITS

» Tuck has hands full with Trueblood [Alex Marvez, FOX Sports]

» New York Giants surprise middle schoolers in New Rochelle [David Neilsen, Newsday]

» Victor Cruz dealing with loss of his grandmother, who inspired his salsa touchdown celebration [Jenny Vrentas, The Star-Ledger]

Daily Blitz: Relive Super Bowl XLVI

Miss the NFL Network premiere of “America’s Game” last week? Or just want to re-watch it? Giants.com has you covered.

Here are five segments from the hour-long documentary of the Giants’ fourth Super Bowl run as told by Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, and Victor Cruz:

Inside the Locker Room: Giants defense on playing the Cowboys

DE Justin Tuck on Cowboys’ new look

“They got a lot of stuff going on. We’re trying to figure out what kind of looks we’re going to get. I think, for the most part, it is getting into the game and kind of feeling your way through the first couple of series with them. The got a new offensive line coach in Callahan, who was with the Jets so we can kind of look at some of the things the Jets did to us last year and things of that nature. Some of the guys we know very well and some of the guys we don’t know at all so I think for the most part it’s going to come down to just playing our keys during the game, make sure you play everything straight up and trying to get a feel early for them in the football game.”

DT Marvin Austin on how he can help the team

“I’m just part of the team, man. If there’s anything I see that can help the guys out there, I’m as much engrossed into the game as much as anybody else.”

DT Linval Joseph on facing a division rival

“I mean you play them twice a year, it is a little tougher but at the same time it’s a war because they know us, you know them and now it’s like you defend each other, you fight against each other, you know what’s going to happen so the best man will come on top.”

Safety Kenny Phillips on playing first game of the NFL Season

“We play each other twice a year, every year. You do know some of our tendencies, we know some of theirs. At the same time, you got to go out there and play…when the stage is set like this, Wednesday night game, defending Super Bowl champs, it’s an easy game to get up for. So I think, you’re going to see their best, you’re going to see our best and it’s going to be a great game.”

Around the locker room: Preseason finale

Giants.com takes you around the locker room as the defending Super Bowl champs wrap up the preseason and prepare for the regular-season opener against the Cowboys. 

Now that it’s over, DE Justin Tuck was asked about the mood coming off this preseason.

“It’s been a fun preseason; it’s been a different preseason.  I’m excited to see who we’re going to have on this football team because those guys made our coaching staff, and Jerry Reese and his staff’s decisions pretty difficult.  Heading into the regular season, I’m excited about it, I’m ready to get going, and we start off with the Dallas Cowboys and that’s going to be very exciting.”

Corneback Jayron Hosley updated his injury status (toe) and talked about his chances of playing against Dallas.

“I’m taking it day-by-day.  Right now I’m feeling pretty confident that I’ll be ready, and the trainers have been doing a great job with me.  The trainers have been doing a great job of getting me ready, getting me prepared to get back on the field as soon as possible.  I’m feeling pretty confident about playing against Dallas.”

On and off practice squads his whole career, RB Andre Brown put together a solid performance in the final preseason game on Wednesday with 14 carries for 55 yards and two catches for 22. He’s been through this routine before as the roster will be finalized to 53 on Friday.

“A bad expert. I feel more comfortable though. I feel that other than the one fumble that I had, I feel as though I put a solid game together. I’m sure I’m capable of playing in the league. I know I’m going to be here or if it’s not here, I’m going to be somewhere and I know that I still believe that it’s going to be my year.”

CB Prince Amukara updated his ankle injury.

“Yeah, I’m out of the walking boot.  I’ve been rehabbing, walking better, and it feels a lot better than it did last week.  It’s only been six days, so we’re still taking it day-by-day.”

Meanwhile, DE Adewale Ojomo has relished the competitive environment on the defensive line.

“It’s been a great environment. It’s a process. It doesn’t just happen overnight. People don’t see what goes into it. Listening, adjusting and Osi and those guys and Coach Robert Nunn, so it’s just a lot of work. I wasn’t just going to come here because my senior year in college, I had one and a half sacks. Coming in here learning from those guys made a big improvement.”

Also trying to make the roster, WR David Douglas feels like he belongs in the NFL after an impressive training camp and preseason.

“I think so. I just took it day by day from the first day I got out here and that’s really all you can do coming in as a free agent and a rookie trying to make a team. I felt like I came out and I gave it my all every day and that’s really all you can do.”

Daily Blitz: GM Reese once dreamed of being a head coach

Once a hard-hitting defensive standout at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Jerry Reese always dreamed of becoming the head coach at his alma mater. Look at where he is now.

The general manager was recently profiled in The Pacer, the official newspaper of the college in his home state, and spoke about his journey from humble beginnings in Tiptonville to winning his second Super Bowl last season.

“I had to schedule my classes around football and make sure they were balanced. I had to work for my scholarship,” said Reese, who was a grad assistant and then a secondary coach at Martin from 1988 through 1993 after being named team MVP his senior season. “With my background and leadership qualities I learned at UTM by being part of a team, I still use those skills today.

“You’ve always got to dream big. I always dreamed of being head coach at UTM at some point and look where I am now.”

Charley Deal, a close friend and assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations, sees what he’s done today.

“For someone who came from his background, Jerry pushed himself and was hard on himself,” Deal said. “He worked around the clock to make himself better.”

QUICK HITS

» NFL.com and NFL Network analysts gave their 2012 predictions on stats leaders, MVP, rookie awards, and more. Jason Pierre-Paul appears to be on the short list for Defensive Player of the Year.

» Barden builds on momentum. [Kieran Darcy, ESPNNewYork.com]

» ESPN.com’s NFC East blogger Dan Graziano continued his ranking of the top 20 players in the division. WR Hakeem Nicks came in at No. 6, with five players to go (one player announced a day).

Other Giants in the rankings so far:

8. Justin Tuck, DE, Giants

10. Victor Cruz, WR, Giants

18. Osi Umenyiora, DE, Giants

20. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants

Daily Blitz: Blue-chip Giants

Blue chips or red chips, the New York Giants had plenty of both as they took the pot last season.

Former NFL team executive and current NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi ranked such individuals in his annual list of blue-chip/red-chip players and coaches.

In total, seven members from the defending Super Bowl champions made the cut. But first, here’s a look at Lombardi’s qualifications:

Definition of a blue-chip player

» Demonstrates rare abilities and creates mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game.

» Is a premier player in the league and a weapon on the field.

» Combines competitiveness and skill to provide a consistent championship-level performance.

» Rates in the top five at his position in the league.

Definition of a red-chip player

» Has abilities that can create mismatches vs. most opponents in the league.

» Is a featured player on his team and has an impact on the outcome of the game.

» Can’t be taken out of the game in a one-on-one matchup.

» Is consistent from week to week.

» Plays at a championship level.

» Rates in the top 10 at his position in the league.

With that said, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning was considered a blue-chip quarterback, along with Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger. Wide receiver Victor Cruz and guard Chris Snee rounded out the three Giants on offense receiving blue-chip labels at their respective positions.

On defense, Jason Pierre-Paul was the lone blue-chipper, while Lombardi considered Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka as red-chip players.

Tom Coughlin also earned a blue chip, joining Mike McCarthy (Packers), Bill Belichick (Patriots), Jim Harbaugh (49ers), and John Harbaugh (Ravens).

Daily Blitz: Bears brace for Giant test

Often referred to as the dress rehearsal, the third preseason game is typically when the starters play the longest.

For Bears quarterback Jay Cutler — the upcoming opponent on Friday night — that means a heavy dosage of the Giants’ pass rush that he’s all too familiar with.

In Week 4 of 2010, the Giants totaled 10 sacks in a victory over the Bears, nine of which were of Cutler before he left the game with a concussion. While Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora each notched a hat trick that night, the sack parade didn’t even include Jason Pierre-Paul, who was unable to reach the quarterback in the fourth NFL game of his career.

“I don’t think anyone else in the league has five, six guys that can rotate in that front four that can play like those guys,” Cutler said on Monday, according to ESPNChicago.com. “So it’s going to be a tough test for (the offensive line).”

Fast-forward to last week against the Jets, the Giants tallied seven sacks despite the interior of the defensive line being banged up. They’ll see if they can continue with that same pressure on Friday at home in the best test of the preseason.

“Those front four that they have are some of the best in the league,” Cutler said. “They’re really long, they’re fast, they can bull rush, they can speed rush.

“It’s going to be a challenge for those guys.”

QUICK HITS

>> Jason Pierre-Paul, the Late-Blooming Defensive Wunderkind. [Robert Andrew Powell, The New York Times Magazine]

>> Giants host family of shooting victim. [Ian O’Connor, ESPNNewYork.com]

Details released on ‘America’s Game: 2011 New York Giants’

There’s still one more thing to finish from last season: the viewing of “America’s Game.”

The NFL Network’s Emmy Award-winning series is back to recount the 2011 New York Giants’ run to their fourth Super Bowl victory. The program premieres Tuesday, September 4 at 10:00 PM ET, and a few more details were released on Monday.

Here’s a peek at what you’ll see in the hour-long special:

- Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Victor Cruz & Head Coach Tom Coughlin recount winning franchise’s fourth Lombardi Trophy

- “It probably changes the way I’m viewed. I don’t think it changes the way I view myself.” – Manning on winning second Super Bowl MVP

- “I literally sat in the dark for the whole evening. I didn’t talk to anybody.” – Coughlin on 2010 Week 15 loss to Eagles

- Emmy Award-Winning Actor Alec Baldwin Narrates

- Coughlin’s Preseason Message Rings True

Below are some quotes from America’s Game: 2011 New York Giants…

Tom Coughlin delivers preseason motivation…

Following a disappointing 2010 season in which the New York Giants failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, head coach Tom Coughlin showed his team a video of a high school cross-country runner for motivation.

“One particular girl who really was their best runner, coming down the stretch she began to struggle. She collapsed within feet of the finish line. She said to herself, ‘You have to finish, that’s the point.’ She literally crawled across the finish line and her team won the state championship. When the movie ended, you could have heard a pin drop in the room.” – Coughlin on the video he showed to his team

“Normally when coach shows us videos, we kind of look at him and go, ‘OK, I got his point.’ But seeing someone not getting paid give that much effort, guys really, really took that to heart and it really set the tone for this season.” – Tuck

“You’re going to hear me say this a thousand times: finish, finish, finish.” – Coughlin to the team during a team meeting

The emergence of Victor Cruz…

Prior to the Giants’ Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, wide receiver Victor Cruz had two career catches. After a breakout 110-yard, two touchdown game, Cruz would go on to set the franchise single-season receiving yard record, proving to be a more than capable replacement for the departed Steve Smith.

“I was worried about that slot position [and] who was going to fill that role. I knew we had a couple of guys who were going to compete for it, but I didn’t know if anyone would be as good as what Steve Smith was able to produce for us the last couple of years.” – Manning on Steve Smith signing with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2011 season

“There was a little voice in the back of my mind that was telling me in this league, chances come few and far between, and if you don’t take advantage of them they can slip away just as fast as they came. Thank God I got another opportunity.” – Cruz on the first two games of the 2011 season prior to the Week 3 game against Philadelphia

“I [said], ‘We found our guy.’ There are some things that other guys might do better, but when you get the ball in his hands, he makes special things happen.” – Manning on Cruz’s performance against the Eagles

“I never dreamed of doing anything like that. It was just awesome. No words can even describe the journey each and every week.” – Cruz on setting the Giants’ single-season record for receiving yards

Finishing strong…

The Giants were 7-7 and needed to win their final two games to make the playoffs. Starting with a win over the in-stadium rival Jets, the Giants never looked back until they hoisted the franchise’s fourth Lombardi Trophy.

“Rex [Ryan], him saying all of those things [before the game], I didn’t necessarily care about. But covering up our Super Bowls? That’s different.” – Tuck on Jets covering up the Giants’ Super Bowl murals at MetLife Stadium the day of the game

“If you wanted to define the defining moment in the season when things really came together and took off, that was it right there. From that point on, we started to combine confidence with cohesiveness, with intelligence, with masterful play.” – Coughlin on Victor Cruz’s 99-yard touchdown against the Jets

“The idea of everybody telling you that you can’t do something, I like that. That’s a good thing. These guys took this to the extreme.” – Coughlin on entering the playoffs with a 9-7 record

“We thrive in people not giving us a shot. We went through the most adversity this year of any team. That made us that much stronger. We were all-in and we were going to lay it on the line for what it was worth. When the dust cleared and the last man was standing, we expected it to be us.” – Tuck 

More quotes…

“It probably changes the way I’m viewed. I don’t think it changes the way I view myself. It doesn’t change the way I’m going to improve as a player to make sure I give my teammates and the new guys that will come be a part of this team an opportunity to have those same experiences.” – Manning on winning his second Super Bowl

“It’s the best throw of Eli’s career.” – Tuck on Eli Manning’s 38-yard pass to Mario Manningham during the game-winning drive in Super Bowl XLVI

“I literally sat in the dark for the whole evening. I didn’t talk to anybody; I sat in a room with no lights on and I just reflected.” – Coughlin on the Giants’ 38-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 of the 2010 season

Giants vs. Jets Live Blog: 2nd QTR

0:00 — Giants 13, Jets 0 (key stat: Giants recorded 3.0 sacks in the first half)

1:55 – JPP notches his second sack of the night on Sanchez.

2:16 — TOUCHDOWN. Rookie CB Jayron Hosley intercepts Sanchez and takes it back 77 yards for a touchdown. XP is good. Giants 13, Jets 0.

6:11 – Steve Weatherford’s punt is partially blocked.

7:46 – The Jets go for it on fourth down from the Giants 36. DT Rocky Bernard and the Giants stuff RB John Conner for no gain, turning ball over on downs.

9:53 – Eli Manning throws his first interception of the preseason. He’s currently 7/13 for 62 yards.

11:30 – LB Keith Rivers snags Rb Shonn Greene coming around the left end, tackling him for a loss of 4 yards. The next play, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck team up for a sack of Sanchez.

12:14 — FIELD GOAL. Tynes hits 30-yarder, his second of the night, to give the Giants a 6-0 lead (drive: 13 plays, 39 yards 4:33)