New York Giants Notes: Greg Jones Edition

Good morning, New York Giants' fans. The NFL season kicks off Thursday night with the Green Bay Packers facing the New Orleans Saints, so let's see what is making news as the Giants opener against the Washington Redskins approaches.

Rookie middle linebacker Greg Jones, the likely starter on Sunday with Jonathan Goff down for the season with a torn ACL, had never practiced with the first-team defense before Wednesday.

"I will be as ready as I possibly can be, given the opportunity and be a leader. I'm just trying to gain the respect of my teammates and I believe that's what I am going to do," Jones said. "Everybody is saying you can do this. Believe in yourself and we will follow your lead and make the right call."

Jones was a two-time All-American at Michigan State who fell to the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft after what NFL talent evaluators saw as a sub-par senior season. The Giants have not said whether Jones or another player will make the defensive calls.

When I spoke to Jones prior to training camp, we talked about what he would bring to the Giants. Leadership was one of the things he mentioned.

"I know that the Giants fans will see a player who [is] hard-working, who will step up when the time is called upon, who will be a leader," Jones said. "I'm always the type of guy that just leads. I don't mean to do it on purpose, I don't mean to step on people's toes or anything like that. I feel the need to step up and then I do it. I do the very best job I can do."

Giants' veteran safety Deon Grant expressed confidence in Jones.

"Talk to him about the conversations him and I have been having since I've been here. I like him a lot," Grant said. "When I first came in and saw what he was doing in training camp, I'm like who is this guy? And then I found out exactly who it was, I remembered exactly what he did in college. The guy was a two or three-time All American. You don't make that by going out and making a few plays. That means you were out there playing some ball. I have a lot of confidence in him. He's very smart and very physical."

Giants' fans can only hope that, given the short time he has had to prepare, that Jones' 'very best' will be good enough.

The Giants worked out veteran linebackers on Wednesday. including former Giants Kawika Mitchell and Chase Blackburn. Reports were that Keith Bulluck did not attend the workout. The Giants are not expected to sign a linebacker until after the Washington game. Once rosters are set, most NFL teams try to get through Week 1 before signing veteran free agents. That is because signing them prior to the first game means their contract is guaranteed for the season. Sign them after Week 1 and that is not the case.

Peyton Manning won't play in the Indianapolis Colts' season opener, meaning Eli Manning will become the active quarterback with the longest streak of consecutive starts (104). Say what you want about Eli, the Giants do benefit from his durability.

"I think that's always the goal, to be there on Sunday. Sometimes it can't happen. Some circumstances come up that you can't prevent. I try to do everything I can. Make sure in the offseason I do all my workouts and running - they prevent the little nicks and knacks. And try to get all of the treatment when you do get banged up, get the treatments and do everything you can to get back on the field," Manning said.

Giants wide receiver/kick returner Devin Thomas, a former Redskins has talked in the past about how Washington coach Mike Shanahan influenced him. Shanahan was asked about Thomas on Wednesday.

"I got to know Devin pretty good and he is a great person. He has a lot of ability and I am going to wish him well because I am fond of the guy and the way he handled himself and the way he worked," Shanahan said. "I just told Devin that if he wants to stay in this league, he is going to have to be a pro. It is going to be a full time job for you, it can't be a part time job. I talked about his ability and what he had to do to stay in this league and obviously he is doing it. ... for him to make the Giants team shows you he is doing things the right way."

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