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Jerrel Jernigan: 'It's time for me to go out there and make some plays'

2013-05-22T20:08:37Z

Jerrel Jernigan is entering his third season in the NFL. After two seasons, the 2011 third-round pick (83rd overall) has only three receptions for 22 yards, nine kickoff returns and two failed efforts to win the New York Giants' punt return job to show for his thus far unremarkable career.

Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride put a little heat on the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Jernigan recently, saying "I think it’s about time that he steps up and I think we feel he has enough ability and he’s been here now long enough."

Jernigan told reporters after Wednesday's OTA that he understands Gilbride's tone.

"I've been here three years. I know the offense and it's time for me to go out there and make some plays and contribute to my team. I understand where he's coming from," Jernigan said. "I agree with him. It's time for me to go out there and start making plays and start helping my team out besides just special teams."

When the Giants drafted Jernigan it was likely with the idea that it would be him, not then-undrafted free agent Victor Cruz, who would become a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses while working out of the slot. Obviously, things worked out differently. With Cruz and the Giants still unable to come to contract terms, Jernigan currently has an opportunity to get extra reps with quarterback Eli Manning.

More: Louis Murphy aims to make plays Coughlin surprised by Nicks' absence

"It’s a chance for him to shine and step forward and do the things that we believe he can do," Gilbride said. "It’s going to be a great opportunity for him."

The Giants have also tried to take advantage of Jernigan's elusiveness as a punt returner, but ball security has been an issue each of his first two seasons -- during which time he has never been used to return a regular-season punt. He said he is still "breaking old habits" in securing punts.

"Coach has been harping on me about the way I'm catching it. So he finally convinced me to change my techniques back there, so I've been changing my techniques and it's been coming along very good," Jernigan said. "I was catching it with my hands kind of like how I'm catching a pass. Now I'm letting it come to my body. It took me a while to get used to that, so now I'm comfortable doing it."

The Giants can, of course, use all the play-makers they can get on offense and on special teams. The Giants have subtracted wide receivers Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon and Ramses Barden the past two seasons, so if Jernigan can -- finally -- show he can be reliable the Giants will certainly find ways to take advantage of his skills.

Louis Murphy gets reps with Cruz, Nicks missing

2013-05-22T19:04:06Z

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning did not have either of his primary targets to throw to during Wednesday's OTA, with Hakeem Nicks absent and Victor Cruz still negotiating a contract. Thus, Manning spent his time getting acclimated with Louis Murphy, the fifth-year wide receiver signed as a free agent during the offseason.

Manning reportedly spent a lot of time looking for the speedy Murphy, particularly on deep balls, as he and his newst receiving target get to know each other.

"I hit Louis on a deep one. I got Rueben [Randle] in there. I got [Jerrel] Jernigan some catches," Manning said. "We're getting everybody in there getting them a lot of reps, getting on time with them. We're always going to get better.

"Whoever is on the field, we're going to expect them to go out there and play at a high level. So I think the more guys you have who are experienced and ready to play different positions, the better off we're going to be."

Murphy spent two years with the Oakland Raiders and the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He caught 25 passes last season and has 115 career receptions. The Giants hope the speedy Murphy provides them with big-play ability.

"That's what I like to do. I can do a lot of things. I can go inside, play outside. I can do it all. But they do like to stretch the field and I like doing that," Murphy said. "I'm just here just to make plays."

More From Big Blue View

OTA notes

Tom Coughlin transcript

Tom Coughlin Transcript: Giants coach talks Day 1 of OTA

2013-05-22T18:38:19Z

Here are some of the highlights from New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin's meeting with reporters following Wednesday's OTA at the Timex Performance Center. Coughlin touched on Hakeem Nicks' absence, Henry Hynoski's injury, Aaron Curry's opportunity and much more

Q: What is Hakeem Nicks' status?

A: I don't know. He should be here.

Q: Were you expecting him here today?

A: Yeah, sure I did. I expect everybody here. We're trying to get our team better.

Q: Is he not our here due to his physical status?

A: No, but he would have some kind of limitations, I'm sure. Not right away, but that is not the reason.

Q: What is your level of optimism on getting Victor Cruz in here at some point?

A: I'm always optimistic. I'm always looking forward to thinking that when it happens he will be in here and we'll have time to get some work in right now.

Q: Do you think it is going to happen sooner rather than later?

A: You just asked me and I said that I am optimistic. That is all I can tell you.

Q: What happened to Henry Hynoski?

A: He kind of got (his leg rolled up on) and so we are taking a look at that. I said a few prayers and I'll continue until I hear what it is.

Q: What is the secret to bringing in new tight ends? This is going to be the fourth tight end in basically four years. They keep producing, though - every one you bring in. What is the key to that?

A: It is a big part of our offense, obviously. There is no enlightenment about that. But get them in here, get them in the offseason program, get them on the field right now. Let them learn the offense and then work with the quarterback. And that is what we continue to try to do. We have a couple of young kids that it is time for them to get going. And that would help us a lot. It is unfortunate that (Larry) Donnell has the injury and can't go right now, because this would be incredibly valuable time for him.

Q: Could you offer any first impressions of (Aaron) Curry?

A: I haven't seen enough, really. I think he is learning and that has kind of got him a little bit under control.

Q: How much opportunity is there at the linebacker position in terms of jobs?

A: There are plenty of opportunities; everybody has got a great opportunity. There is nothing in concrete there. Matter of fact, I speak about that all of the time. I think it is a great opportunity.

Q: What would you say is the primary mission of the OTAs? Is it familiarity with some of the new guys working? What is the number one mission?

A: Get better; improve; improvement. There is always improvement. Yeah, there are young guys that have to come along, but there are veteran players that there may be one aspect of their game that needs to be improved upon. And we need to get better as a team. We need to get focused again as a team. We have had an awful lot of time away from each other. Now we have a chance to be together again and to get our thinking exactly the same and be on the same page. That is what this is all about is get yourself ready so that coaches can work with the players; get a feel for that. The personnel people can evaluate and see where there may be a need to help a certain area here or there. And allow that the individuals involved in the timing aspect of the game can work together.

New York Giants OTA Report: Hakeem Nicks absent, Henry Hynoski injured

2013-05-22T18:07:09Z

Hakeem Nicks was absent Wednesday for Day 1 of the on-field portion of New York Giants OTAs at Timex Performance Center, and head coach Tom Coughlin was not happy that the star wide receiver, who was limited by foot and knee injuries last season, was not in attendance.

"He should be here," Coughlin told reporters after the first workout. "I expect everybody here. We’re trying to get our team better.

There is a question as to how much Nicks would have done Wednesday as he is still rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. Still, an unexplained no-show when he was at a charity event Tuesday night in New York City saying he was "willing to take the role of leader" is not a good beginning. Quarterback Eli Manning was also perplexed, saying he "had no reason" to think Nicks would not be in attendance.

More: 49ers Michael Crabtree suffers torn Achilles Tendon

Here are some other notes:

Coughlin did not provide much information on the injury to fullback Henry Hynoski. "He kind of got (his leg rolled up on) and so we are taking a look at that. I said a few prayers and I’ll continue until I hear what it is," Coughlin said. WFAN reported that Andre Brown and Hynoski banged knees, and that Hynoski is en route for tests.
The first-unit linebackers were reportedly Mark Herzlich in the middle flanked by Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers. Jacquain Williams apparently sat out practice as a precaution following a PCL injury last season. Interesting to see Herzlich in front of Dan Connor, but not reading anything into that yet.
Corey Webster had a rough day, as tweeted by Pat Traina.
A variety of tweets indicated that Manning tossed a lot of deep balls in the direction of Louis Murphy, the wide receiver signed as a free agent in the offseason. That's typical Manning, testing out the capabilities of his new target.

Much more later on when I receive the transcripts.

Changing NFL Draft date about the money, not the product

2013-05-22T15:33:49Z

I can't imagine anyone with the exception of the bean-counters at NFL headquarters who are ultimately making the decision who is happy about the idea of permanently moving the NFL Draft into May.

Don Banks of Sports Illustrated shredded the idea in a column early Wednesday morning, and the reactions of club executives he quoted were largely what I expected:

Even if you happen to believe in the Easter Bunny theory, or that the NFL had to move next year's draft to May solely because of a scheduling conflict with a Radio City Music Hall "Spring Spectacular'' show, there's more than a reasonable doubt within the league about the wisdom of adopting such a change on a long-term basis, as is being contemplated.

"You'd be hard-pressed to find any football-side person in the league in favor of it,'' said one AFC general manager, who requested anonymity. "Unless you consider having more time for draft preparation a benefit, more time for paralysis by analysis, there's nothing to like. I've tried to think of one (positive), but I haven't yet.''

And to the idea that the league is taking this step with the draft only because an Easter-season show booked the venue that the NFL has owned in late April for the past eight years, that rationale is being met with a healthy amount of skepticism, to say the least.

"The league coming out and saying this is because of the Easter Bunny and the show is almost embarrassing,'' one NFC club executive said. "This is the NFL. You think we couldn't get those dates or make something work if we really wanted to? This is about moving the draft into May for (TV network) sweeps month. I'd rather somebody be honest and come out and just admit that it's about ratings and TV issues. But I get it. I suppose we all should be thankful in that everybody in the league benefits financially when the league has success from a TV perspective.''

I can't imagine any coach being happy about the idea of losing two or three weeks of time they currently have to get their newly-drafted players ready for the NFL. Offseason activities have already been cut back in the new CBA, and training camp two-a-days are long gone. Simply put, this will lead to fewer rookies getting on the field -- or at least having a clue what they are doing when they do get on the field.

I can't imagine any general manager being thrilled about having three more weeks to analyze tape, conduct interviews and research players for the umpteenth time. Reality is, scouts and GMs have largely made up their minds about players they are really interested in and what they hope to accomplish weeks before the draft takes place now. The extra time isn't going to help -- it's just going to drag out the process.

I can't even imagine fans -- with the exception of a few hard-core draftniks who might actually enjoy the pre-draft process more than the draft or the games themselves -- being happy about this, either. How many more mock drafts can we stand? How many more rumors and smokescreens can we tolerate.

Commissioner Roger Goodell also floated the possibility that the draft might move from Radio City Music Hall to other venues outside of New York City. I know that would upset New York area residents who like to attend the festivities, but to me that's a non-issue. If you want to move it around and let fans from different parts of the country experience it that's fine.

Moving the date, though? That bothers me because it's just another example of the league doing something for publicity that might end up hurting its product on the field. Ultimately, that's a bad idea.

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OTA Preview: New York Giants hit the field

2013-05-22T12:47:57Z

The New York Giants hit the Timex Performance Center field at 10:50 a.m. ET Wednesday for their first of two on-field sessions during the latest phase of offseason team activities. The second on-field practice will be Thursday.

It seems extremely unlikely Victor Cruz will be attending the workouts. The wide receiver still has not signed a contract, either his restricted free agency tender or a new long-term deal.

It would also seem unlikely that rehabbing veterans like Chris Snee, Hakeem Nicks, David Baas, David Diehl and Terrell Thomas will spend much, if any, time on the field. Don't panic over such absences -- they aren't a concern. Missing time in training camp is a different story, but not now.

Now that we haven't gotten what you probably won't see out of the way, here are a few things I am looking forward to finding out over the next couple of days.

What's the deal at right tackle? I am interested in finding out the distribution of snaps at right tackle, especially if Diehl does not practice. Will first-round pick Justin Pugh or third-year player James Brewer see more snaps? Let's be real -- no decision on who will start there is going to me made in May, but you might get an indication how wide open the competition really is.

The rest of the rookies. How wll quarterback Ryan Nassib look? How will the Giants employ Damontre Moore? Will Cooper Taylor or any of the other draftees flash? Will any of the undrafted free agents make themselves noticed?

The linebackers. I expect to see Jacquian Williams, Dan Connor and Keith Rivers line up as the starters. Will Mathias Kiwanuka be working with this group, or exclusively at defensive end? What will the reports be on how well Aaron Curry is moving around?

Terrell Thomas. If he does practice, will it be with the cornerbacks or the safeties? A move to safety for the oft-injured Thomas has been discussed, but not announced. If he can stay healthy it will be interesting to see that play out.

NOTE: Unfortunately, I won't be in attendance at the Timex for either of the workouts the next couple of days. Post-surgery that type of travel is still out of the question for me. I will, however, be monitoring Twitter for updates (follow @bigblueview) and using the transcripts supplied by the Giants to bring you as much information as I can.

New York Giants' news, 5/22: OTAs today, and much more

2013-05-22T11:14:02Z

Good morning, New York Giants' fans! The Giants hit the field Wednesday for the first of two days of on-field work during the next phase of OTAs. Here are your links while you wait to hear more about that.

Steve Tisch: Victor Cruz will 'be a Giant'

"We're talking. (Cruz's agent) Tom Condon is talking to (Giants general manager) Jerry (Reese) and I'm personally confident that Victor wants to be a Giant, will be a Giant," Tisch said on his way into the NFL spring meeting. "He's a great guy. It's just taking its time."

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck has turned to motivational speaker Tony Robbins for help - ESPN New York
How is Justin Tuck preparing for 2013? Walking on hot coals, for starters.

NFL draft shouldn't be moved, despite increased hype it will bring - NFL - Peter King - SI.com

Charles Woodson officially a Raider once again - Silver And Black Pride

Hakeem Nicks feeling good about himself ... and Victor Cruz!

Stapleton: Giants will not rush Hakeem Nicks : page all - NorthJersey.com
Receiver has much on the line in contract year..

Eagles playing it safe with safety Phillips
Former Giants safety Kenny Phillips is being allowed to ease his way in with the Eagles after knee issues set him back last year.

NFL considers moving draft out of New York

Nicks ready to be a leader | New York Daily News

OTA Preview

Reilly: My top 20 NFL coaches - ESPN

Tisch on XLVIII weather: 'It could be great' - Giants Blog - ESPN New York

"I would like a cold, blue sky, great, sort of beautiful New York/New Jersey evening," Tisch said. "I think it could be great."

Yet that sort of weather is far from a sure bet in February, and Tisch noted that other owners with teams in cold-weather cities will be closely watching how New York handles Super Bowl XLVIII.

"I think we're going to be ready for any contingency," Tisch said. "The one thing that I think would hurt us is a serious midweek blizzard."

POLL: Will Giants be over or under 9 wins for 2013?

2013-05-21T15:51:31Z

The New York Giants went 9-7 in 2011 and went on to win the Super Bowl. They went 9-7 in 2012 and went home early, missing the playoffs.

Well, it seems that the Giants and the nine-win mark are so synonymous that, heading into the 2013 NFL season, Las Vegas oddsmakers are simply stuck on that number when it comes to predicting how many games the Giants will win next season.

Joe Fortenbaugh of the National Football Post recently looked at the early 2013 win totals odds coming from bookmakers. All three sports books that have come out with win totals to date have placed the Giants over/under at nine.

I am not going to go through the schedule game by game and try to figure out which games the Giants "should" win. That is pointless as we have no idea what teams will look like at any given point during the season. If you want to peruse the schedule and try to figure that yourself, go right ahead.

As of today, would you take the over or under at nine wins?

Poll