Giants Daily Blitz Blog

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

Giants vs. Patriots Live Blog: 3rd QTR

0:00 — GIANTS 3, PATRIOTS 3

1:13 — Jernigan shows what he brings to the table with a 25-yard catch-and-run, injecting the stadium with some life before the final quarter of the preseason.

7: 40 — FIELD GOAL: GIANTS. Lawrence Tynes knocks in a 34-yarder. He is now 7/7 this preseason. Giants 3, Patriots 3 (drive: 13 plays, 64 yards in 7:30)

9:10 — WR Ramses Barden hauls in his fourth catch of the night. He currently leads all receivers in receptions and yards (31).

13:24 — RB Andre Brown breaks a 16-yard run. Brown is getting the bulk of the carries now, has been featured on seven plays during the current drive.

15:00 — Giants will receive the ball to start the second half.

Giants vs. Bears Live Blog: 2nd QTR

0:00 — Giants 17, Bears 7 (key stat: Big Blue has 13 first downs to Chicago’s 5)

1:04 — Specials coming through for the Giants tonight. LB Mark Herzlich forces a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Bears recover at their own 2. Not exactly last year’s NFC Championship, but an encouraging game for Tom Quinn and his squad nonetheless.

1:22– TOUCHDOWN. RB Andre Brown scores on a 1-yard rush around the left end. It’s his first touchdown since the 2010 preseason. XP is good. Giants 17, Bears 7 (drive: 1 play, 10 yards, 0:10)

1:34 — Da’Rel Scott blocks a Bears punt, LB Greg Jones recovers.

3:22 — The Giants coaching staff is taking a detailed look at Douglas as a punt returner, giving him a handful of opportunities so far. On his fourth of the night, Douglas broke one for 37 yards but was called back with two holding penalties called on the Giants.

*Manning went 7/7 on the scoring drive. He is now 15/18 for 121 yards and a touchdown.

5:41 — TOUCHDOWN. WR Ramses Barden catches his first ever NFL touchdown (preseason or otherwise). He gets in on an 11-yard slant from Manning. XP is good. Giants 10, Bears 7 (drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 6:14.

11:47 — Victor Cruz gets on the board with two short catches. Eli so far is 10/13 for 72 yards.

15:00 — Giants begin the second quarter with the ball on their own 40.

Practice Highlights: Aug. 13