New York Giants news, 7/23: Notes from Day 1 of training camp

There is much to discuss after the first day of training camp for the New York Giants. Let's begin our day as we usually do, by checking out the headlines.

Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul says sack record a possibility

Can Pierre-Paul return to his 2011 form, in which he generated 16½ sacks, a trip to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl championship?

"I think I'm still one of the top (pass rushers) in the league," Pierre-Paul said. "At the end of the day, I know myself, so I've got to go out there and prove myself right — not to the people, but to myself. I don't have to impress no one, not even my teammates, because my teammates know how I play. They practice with me every day, so they know when I step on that field, I mean business."

NY Giants’ new-look offensive line searches for chips off a new block - NY Daily News
So much for that offseason of work on the offensive line. For the last four months, the Giants focused on rebuilding that unit signing four veteran linemen, using a second-round pick on one of the finest centers in the draft and scouring the waiver wires for young talent.

Palladino: Rashad Jennings Heading Up Giants’ Sleek Backfield " CBS New York
For whatever Rashad Jennings becomes in the Giants’ backfield, he’ll never top his own personal journey to the NFL.

How the Giants plan to restore Eli Manning to elite level | New York Post

"Like anybody else, a quarterback like Eli doesn’t come around every five years, you know?" Giants punter Steve Weatherford said. "He’s the best quarterback’s that has ever been in this franchise, and this franchise has been around for a long time.

"And he’s not getting any younger — I don’t think he’s getting older — but the opportunities that they have to win world championships with a quarterback that good, if they’re lucky they’re gonna get another eight, nine years, and that’s saying that Eli plays til he’s 42, that’s gonna be tough to do. So I think the years that they have with Eli Manning, they need to give him weapons, and I think that’s what they’re doing."

NY Giants Victor Cruz studying up on Jerry Rice as Big Blue installs West Coast offense - NY Daily News

If Cruz puts together career bests in catches, yards and touchdowns, the Giants offense is going to be cooking. It starts with getting the ball in his hands 100 times.

"That’s the goal," he said. "I just want to be as good a player as I can be. The goal is definitely 100. I know Steve Smith got it a couple of years ago. But that’s the goal, and with that comes wins, with that comes touchdowns, and all that is helping the team, so that’s all that matters."

New York Giants rookie Weston Richburg transitions form | The MMQB with Peter King

"They have me all over the place, and they say for a younger guy like me, that’s the best way to learn," Richburg says. "Especially if I want to be center, I have to know what the guards are doing, the tackles are doing, really everything. In [McAdoo’s] offense you need to think, you’re thinking all the time.

But I do want to be center. That’s the goal and that’s what I’m working toward."

NOTE: This is a fantastic piece that gives you a glimpse of Richburg's transformation from small-town kid to NFL player in a big city.

Giants hiring of former WR David Tyree already causing controversy - CBSSports.com
The past statements made by new Giants director of player development David Tyree have been highlighted by groups opposed to his way of thinking.

Giants' O-line a jumble as camp begins - Yahoo Sports
''The Giants have a proud tradition on the offensive line,'' second-year right tackle Justin Pugh said Tuesday. ''There will always be questions and the only way to stop those questions is to go out and play and win and change people's opinions.''

Giants' new West Coast offense should play right into Victor Cruz's hands - Newsday
"Any receiver would love to get the ball as early as possible, so you can see defenders coming and make them miss. I love to catch the ball early with some space, so I'm definitely looking forward to it."

NOTE: If you are attending training camp, feel free to post a photo of yourself at camp in the 'Fanshots' section. Or, feel free to use the 'Fanposts' section to offer your own impressions of what you see or write about your experience.

Grid View

• Eli Manning calls signals [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Tom Coughlin addresses the media [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Eli Manning looks downfield [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Eli Manning passes while Justin Pugh blocks Mathias Kiwanuka [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Odell Beckham Jr. can't haul in an errant pass [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returns an interception [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Eli Manning drops back to pass [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Wide receiver Travis Harvey makes a grab [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Wide receiver Preston Parker about to make a catch [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• Eli Manning rolls out with Tom Coughlin watching [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]
• David Wilson heads upfield [Noah K.Murray -- USA Today Sports]