Giants news: Laser eye surgery helps Andre Williams

Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are some headlines to start your Wednesday work day.

For Andre Williams, seeing is believing

In March, Williams underwent surgery to correct his vision to 20/20 and improve his eyesight so that he would not need to use contact lenses anymore. And so far, the benefits have been reaped during training camp. Williams, who has been working continuously at catching the ball since he was drafted, believes the surgery will help.

"Now that I don't have to wear contacts anymore, my eyes are focusing on the ball better," Williams said. "They're not as tired or strained from the contacts. I also don't have to worry about getting knocked in the eye and having my contact get loose or fall out or something like that."

While the Giants did bring in Shane Vereen to be the primary pass-catching threat out of the backfield, running backs coach Craig Johnson has noted Williams' improvement in that area.

"He's a much changed player from the player I saw in the Combine coming out from Boston College to the player I see today," Johnson said. "I think one of the greatest examples was the swing pass that he caught (against Cincinnati). It's a very difficult catch in that he did not see the ball thrown, so when he turned around the ball was on him and as a back, that's a tough situation. I would probably say in Boston College and then coming here, that would probably be a dropped pass."

Williams said the surgery was "the best money (he) ever spent so far."

Larry Donnell becoming an improved blocker

There were not many positives in the Giants' loss to the Bengals last week, but tight end Larry Donnell believes that his blocking in that game is the "best (he's) felt blocking since (he's) been here." At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Donnell certainly has the size to block, but for him, it was always about constantly improving his technique.

"My problem last year was my hands would get too wide," Donnell said. "You can't get any push like that. Now, I'm focusing on getting my hands inside and just keep fighting no matter what. I might get knocked back a little bit, but as long as my body is in front of [the defender], the back can read that."

Donnell, who is working his way back from an Achilles injury, is also working a lot on his route running. But with an offensive line in shambles and an already dangerous receiving core, the Giants will need Donnell to be a more effective blocker this year.

"Those guys on the other side of the ball get paid too. They have a job to do also. You're trying to move another guy who's athletic and good, too. It's just the small things that help you out."

In Case You Missed it

Jason Pierre-Paul was inspired by Hailey Dawson, a 5-year old girl suffering from Poland's Syndrome, in which she was born with a palm but no fingers, who threw out the first pitch at a recent Baltimore Orioles game wearing a specially crafted robotic hand. Here's what he had to say on his Instagram account:

5-year-old Orioles fan with Poland Syndrome S/O to Hailey Dawson throws out first pitch using her robotic hand. Anything is possible if you just believe in the man above. #Blessing #Hero

A photo posted by Jason Pierre-Paul (@iamjasonpierrepaul) on Aug 17, 2015 at 9:04pm PDT

Eli Manning is looking for a new contract similar to Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers, who was just guaranteed the most money in NFL player contract history.

Pro Football Focus counters that Manning isn't even a top-20 QB and far from his elite days in 2011.

Safety Nat Berhe is eager to get back onto the field.

Former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is trying to work out a deal in his tax evasion case.

Around the NFL

Tampa Bay signed offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, formerly of Indianapolis, to a two-year contract.

There was a huge fight Tuesday at the Cowboys-Rams joint practice involving dozens of players. Watch below:

Huge fight at Cowboys-Rams practice... @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/Jvk3P0XvrA

— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) August 19, 2015