photo courtesy of nfl.com
Saturday, August 10th will be the first time New York Giant fans will get to see their team in a real game since last December. Albeit, it is preseason game number 1, it will give an insight as to who is ahead in the position battles thus far. The Giants travel to Pittsburgh where they face the Steelers at Heinz Field.
There a couple of key members of the Giants where this truly is a make or break season for them. Last years first round pick is trying to show what the Giants saw in him to select him with the 32nd overall pick. As of now, the feeling is Wilson will be the number one back, but the season is still a month away. When asked by the giants PR staff are you looking forward to preseason games, Wilson responded “I’m just looking forward to contact, full speed contact. Me, as a running back out here in practice, you get tagged up and you think to yourself, he wouldn’t have made that tackle. Even if we did it ten times over again. You just have to live with it that you got tagged but in a game you can actually break a tackle and get yards after contact so I’m definitely looking forward to contact again.” Yes, those refreshing words of contact, and finally it gets to come against a team other than their own.
photo courtesy of espn.com
Another player who is fighting for his NFL life is Terrell Thomas. After consecutive season of an ACL tear, he must prove that he can stay healthy, and become the promising player he once was. When asked by the Giants PR staff, When you first got hurt two years ago, you were on the verge of doing good things in this league. Two years later now, having not played, what do you think you can still be as a defensive back? Thomas answered “Only God can answer that. I’ve worked really hard. My numbers are not too far off. I’ve been training hard. My upper body is a lot stronger to really help me out in my press or my technique. If I lost a step, who knows how my body’s going to respond. But as far as training with other athletes, until I get out there on the field, I truly don’t know what I can do. But testing-wise, I’m pretty much at 100%”. We all hope to see Thomas work his way back, whether he plays corner or safety. When asked that question by the Giants PR staff, he responded, “I’m coming back as a football player”. You have to love that type of attitude after everything Thomas has been through. No one likes to see a career cut short due to injuries, and this might be Thomas’ last chance to salvage his career.
photo courtesy of twitter
Hakeem Nicks is also facing heavy pressure to make it through this season healthy. He knows his contract depends on it. When asked by the Giants PR staff if he was practicing after tweaking his groin, Nicks responded “Yeah, I’m practicing, my career counts on it, this season counts on it”. When healthy, he clearly plays at an elite level, and is a top-5 WR in the league. With Victor Cruz in the slot and Ruben Randle coming on strong, the Giants might posses one of the top passing attacks in the NFL, barring any injuries. The Giants will be cautious with Nicks in the preseason, as they know it is the regular season and hopefully post-season when they truly need him. Nicks posted back to back 1000 yard receiving seasons in 2010 and 2011. In the 2011 playoffs, on their run to capturing the Giants 4th Super Bowl trophy, Nicks was an absolute monster, recording 28 receptions, 444 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. If you remember, in the Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers, Nicks hauled in a hail-mary pass at the end of the 1st half on his to way recording 7 receptions for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns.
photo courtesy of nydailynews.com
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY