Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are your headlines for the final Tuesday of the 2014 NFL preseason.
Larry Donnell: Tight ends are 'a good group'
Head coach Tom Coughlin indicated Monday that the Giants will be forced to use a tight end by committee approach since none of the players competing for the job has shown the ability to be the all-around tight end the team is looking for. Larry Donnell, who caught three passes for the Giants last season, will simply be happy to be part of the committee.
"That's a good thing, to have a group of guys that can do different things. My focus is to help the team in any way I can and you know I am not too worried about that. We have a good group of guys that are capable of helping the team in many different ways and are a plus," Donnell said on Monday. "We've got a good group of guys. The group that we have brings something to the table. Size, speed, strength, so it's a good group to have and a good group to work with and a group to help this team."
Donnell might be the closest thing the Giants have to the all-around tight end they seek, but the third-year player remains a work in progress.
"To have that in your mind, it is a great feeling. It gives you something to smile about and gives you something to get up and go to work about, feel good about," Donnell said. "When I first came here, I was trying to make a name for myself but that is what I am still trying to do. I just come to work every day, enjoy my job, love it, and do what I can."
Eli Manning OK with playing vs. Patriots
Many NFL teams give their starting quarterback the final game of the preseason off. When the Giants face the New England Patriots Thursday, Tom Brady is expected to watch Jimmy Garappolo quarterback New England. Manning, however, will play. And he is fine with that, especially since the Giants have a new offensive line configuration with Weston Richburg and John Jerry at the guard spots.
"Those might be the guys who are playing for us. The more reps we can get together, the better we'll be making calls, guys communicating. So we don't know who is going to be there that first game, so we've got to be ready and get a lot of guys ready to play. It'll be good to work with this group," Manning said. "The more options you have on the offensive line to step into different roles... because you never know who is going to have to miss a game here or there or have to play for us, so the more guys we can get going, the better off we'll be."
Around The Inter-Google
Tight end by committee for Giants - Newsday
Tom Coughlin says New York Giants to use committee at TE - ESPN
Practice Report: August 25, 2014 " Inside Football
New York Giants season preview: Can Eli grasp new O? - NFL.com
Richie Incognito cleared to play in NFL's regular season - NFL.com