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It is summer, the NFL dead time. Your New York Giants are on “prep-cation,” as coach Ben McAdoo calls it. Big Blue View, however, is still here cranking out posts to get you ready for the 2016 season. Let’s review some of what you might have missed this week.
For Jason Pierre-Paul, a year of change
Here is a snippet:
From afar, because I have never talked to JPP about this or even spoken one-on-one with him probably since his rookie season, Pierre-Paul seems different now. He lost one finger and parts of others, he lost eight games in 2015, he lost -- at least for a year -- a rich, long-term contract.
He appears, though, to have gained so much more. There is a maturity about him, an understanding that despite what happened to him he is still fortunate to have his family and his NFL opportunity, that there are many people in worse situations than his. While he still obviously believes in his ability, he seems to have more humility, more understanding his simple presence on a football field in unprecedented, and more acceptance of his leadership role. He is also happy.
Dallas Cowboys: From worst to first?
Where will Paul Perkins fit for Giants?
Summer School: Cover 4 and Cover 6 schemes
Can UDFA WR Darius Powe make the regular-season roster?
Can the Washington Redskins repeat as NFC East champs?
Justin Pugh a cornerstone player for Giants
In Pugh, the Giants got a player who has been a starter since the first game of his rookie season. They got a good player who is also a high-character guy and an emerging leader on a team in need of them. They got a cornerstone piece who, if the Giants are smart and don't let him get away in free agency down the line, should be an integral part of the team for years to come.
They also got one other thing -- a modern-day David Diehl, a player who's ability and willingness to play wherever he is needed helps the Giants in immeasurable ways.
How good will Giants’ defensive line be?
RB Bobby Rainey just an insurance policy?
Weston Richburg at center of Giants’ offensive success
Giants continue to stand by Ereck Flowers at left tackle
“ ... the Giants have pretty much drawn a line in the sand with Flowers. They believe he has what it takes to be a quality left tackle for the long term. They have invested a year, now actually more than a year when you factor in spring OTAs and minicamps. They aren’t ready to throw away those reps or abandon the idea that Flowers can be what they drafted him to become — a franchise left tackle.
“Reese likes to say that the organization wants to give its drafted players a chance to before making decisions about them. In Flowers’ case, you can argue that one season when he wasn’t supposed to play on the left side and did so while playing on a nagging ankle injury, isn’t enough of a chance to fail.”