New York Giants news and notes: Eli says receivers "will have to win"

From the sounds of it, don't expect our New York Giants to change much this week in their approach to offense. They expect the Philadelphia Eagles to stack the line of scrimmage and send a steady diet of blitzes. And they expect to try and make them pay with some shots down the field.

Here is Eli Manning discussing just that.

"They will take chances, they blitz a lot. Now it is just about everybody being on the same page. Everybody being prepared, knowing what is gong on, when things are picked up, when they are not. Preparation this week, when you have opportunities, there might be chances to make big plays and you have to take advantage of them," Manning said. "They will play a lot of man and single high, the receivers on the outside will have to win."

Ralph Vacchiano talked to Steve Smith this week, and Smith echoed his quarterback.

"(The big plays) are going to be there. There are going to be a few plays where we’re wide open. We’ve just got to make a play," Smith said. ""They do a great job of applying pressure and trying to make teams frustrated. But it’s also an opportunity for huge plays."

I guess we will just have to hope that the Giants are actually able to hit some of those shots. I'm not a fan of the all-out big-play mentality. Those plays are great when they work, but we have seen the results the past two weeks when they don't. Plus, history tells us that the coming wind and cold in the Northeast will make it even more difficult to be successful with those plays.

I know some those plays will be available. I'm hoping to see Eli and the Giants be a little more judicious in when they go for them, however.

Hakeem Nicks honored

Nicks, the Giants' first-round draft choice this year, has been named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.

"(I'm) very excited about it," Nicks said. "Just don't want to let it get to the head, keep doing what I'm doing, stay humble and just keep on competing out there."

In four games in October, Nicks caught 14 passes for 297 yards (a 21.2-yard average) and four touchdowns - one in each game. Nicks is tied for the NFL rookie lead in touchdown receptions. He is the first Giants rookie to score touchdowns in four consecutive games since Bob Gaiters scored in five straight games in 1961. Nicks is the first Giants rookie with a touchdown reception in four consecutive games since Bill Swiacki in 1948. In addition, Nicks is the first NFL rookie with a touchdown catch in four straight games since Buffalo's Lee Evans in 2004. Nicks has recorded TD catches of 62, 54 and 37 yards and is the only rookie in the NFL with three 30+ yard touchdown receptions. For the season, Nicks has 16 receptions in 5 games for 315 yards (a team-high 19.7-yard average). The 315 yards are second among all NFL rookies, behind only Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace (368), and the 19.7-yard average is the highest in the NFL among rookies with at least 10 catches.

At his current pace, Nicks will threaten the franchise record for receptions by a rookie (Bobby Johnson with 48 in 1984).

Other Stuff

• Westbrook could miss game
• Bradshaw visits specialist about foot and ankle injuries
• Giants defense has red zone blues
• Canty getting close

[NOTE: No Q&A with Jason from Bleeding Green Nation yet. I have reached out to him, but we have yet to connect.]