DT Markus Kuhn:
On the Giants never giving up…
“I actually told Kiwi yesterday, it’s really great to be part of a team like this where you’re down 14 points, it’s not like anybody seems to worry. You’re like “okay, we know what we have to do, we just keep calm and play the way we’re playing”, I bet there are a lot of teams out there down 14-0 and they pretty much fold, and just pack it up…”

OG Kevin Boothe
On Eli’s toughness during 2011-12 NFC Championship Game
“We never doubted it, I guess in an ideal world you guys still would be questioning his toughness because he would never have got hit. It’s one of those things, it’s football. He’s a tough guy, we know he’s a tough guy but we’d like for him to hide his toughness. Hopefully, he doesn’t get hit like that ever again.”

The former quarterback and longtime ESPN analyst updated his QB rankings from the offseason and placed the two-time Super Bowl MVP at No. 3, sliding him up two spots.

Entering Week 5, Manning is 103 of 160 passing for 1,320 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

“Manning made a poor decision against the Eagles by throwing a costly interception in the end zone, but he otherwise has been very solid all season,” Jaworski wrote. “With Hakeem Nicks sidelined and Ahmad Bradshaw also missing time, the Giants’ offense has been shorthanded, and Manning has raised his game to compensate. Whether it’s Ramses Barden or someone else stepping into the Giants’ scheme, he doesn’t miss a beat. He continues to improve in all phases of the game — particularly with his pre- and post-snap decisions and his accuracy. I don’t think the Giants would stand at 2-2 without Manning’s strong early play.”

Aaron Rodgers finished at the top, followed by Tom Brady as runner up. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees rounded out the top five. As for the NFC East, Tony Romo and Michael Vick went back-to-back at 11 and 12, respectively, while rookie Robert Griffin III came in at No. 17.

QUICK HITS

» WATCH: The evolution of the New York Giants’ iconic blue and red uniforms, from the origin of the look in the 1940s to their current, more modern appearance.

» CB Corey Webster and secondary face injuries

» DE Jason Pierre-Paul ready for breakout performance

» Giants vs. Browns Scouting Report

» WATCH: Markus Kuhn answers fan questions and breaks down the matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Big Blue Hits

0:00 — BUCCANEERS 27, GIANTS 16

0:34 — Kenny Phillips puts a hard hit on WR Vincent Jackson, forcing an incomplete pass. The play seemed to have energized the crowd and sideline as Corey Webster comes up with an interception on the next down.

0:44 — FIELD GOAL GIANTS. Tynes’ 36-yard attempt is GOOD. TAMPA BAY 27, NEW YORK 16 (drive: 13 plays, 64 yards in 5:40)

*Paid attendance announced: 76,964

7:09 — Giants needed a stop and the defense did exactly that as Jason Pierre-Paul and Markus Kuhn ganged up to tackle Doug Martin for a loss of 1, forcing the Buccaneers to punt.

13:14 — David Wilson spins for a 44-yard kickoff return.

*He’s averaging 28.7 yards on three returns in this game.

13:19 — FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS (52 Yards). TAMPA BAY 27, NEW YORK 13 (drive: 5 plays, 14 yards in 1:46)

15:00 — Giants will kickoff to begin the second half.

Under the lights. Primetime network broadcast. Running out of the tunnel with the defending champs onto the NFL stage for the first time.

In the United States, that’s a typical dream growing up.

But what about overseas?

“This kid from Germany dreamed about it, too,” said Markus Kuhn, tapping his chest with his index finger.

The expat from Weinheim, Germany and the New York Giants’ newest defensive tackle will be living that reality come Wednesday night. From starting to play football at age 15 in his home country to traveling up and down the eastern seaboard in the States with his father showing college coaches a highlight DVD, the 26-year-old rookie has more than just an extraordinary story to tell.

He has opportunity.

He also has talent, as evidenced by his inclusion on the Giants’ 53-man roster, which was finalized on Friday.

“That’s what I worked for every day, and that was definitely the goal in coming here,” the seventh-round draft pick said. “Now my next goal immediately after was to be part of the rotation or see playing time, especially with all the injuries right now. They need me to step up. I’m just excited out at practice every day. I know what I have to do in the playbook, and now it’s me going out there executing the plays.”

With Marvin Austin still not participating in practice due to a back injury and Chris Canty on the PUP list, Kuhn is it behind starters Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard.

“I have to give Rocky or Linval a breather whenever they need it,” Kuhn said. “I’m excited to do it. There’s nothing better than starting the season playing against Dallas here at home. I’m excited as I can be.

“My dad is in town right now and we were sitting together, talking about how I imagined it six years ago in Germany and thought, ‘You know what, let’s maybe come to the U.S. and try to play some college football.’ Now I’m with the New York Giants and I’m about to play in the NFL against the Dallas Cowboys in New York.”

Yesterday defensive coordinator Perry Fewell spoke about his confidence in Kuhn, who had six tackles and a blocked pass in the preseason, and how he has no hesitation throwing him in the deep end.

“Shoot, that’s why we drafted him,” Fewell said. “He’s a New York Giant. He’s going to get his feet wet really early and, shoot, we’re going to play his butt…He’s going to get in there and mix it up. He’s not afraid to mix it up. He’s a German guy, so he doesn’t know the difference. He just says ‘I’m going to get in there and play ball.’ We’re going to play ball.”