Giants news, 12/11: A “complete turnaround,” and a surprise game ball

Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are your Tuesday morning headlines.

“Complete turnaround”

The Giants, as you know, are 4-1 since the bye.

“After the break or the bye, you’ve just seen this team make a complete turnaround,” wide receiver Sterling Shepard said on Monday. “Guys have been playing for each other and that’s all you can ask for, especially the way the season went the first half. Like I said, it’s turned around for us and we just got to keep it going.

Incidentally, we lauded Shepard on Monday for his blocking on the two long runs by Saquon Barkley vs. Washington. We weren’t the only ones.

“I actually got a game ball for blocking,” Shepard said. “They put the stats up there and I was like, okay, two receptions for 17 yards, but some of the downfield blocking was great. It sprung some big runs for Saquon, but I mean that’s what we take pride in in the wide receiving room is blocking, which a lot of receivers you see don’t really like to do that but Coach Tyke (Tolbert), he’s implanted that in us since he’s gotten here. That’s what we love doing.”

Shepard said it was the “first time I’ve ever seen” a receiver get a game ball for blocking.

Alec Ogletree at tight end?

Linebacker Alec Ogletree told coach Pat Shurmur that if he got a fifth interception this season he wanted a play at tight.

“Yeah I just want one play, that’s all. Just one play,” said Ogletree.

Is he going to get it?

“Yeah, it’s been in the conversation, definitely been in the works,” Ogletree said. “Coach said he’s thinking about doing it, so, we’re going to see what we can do.”

Toy drive

The Giants and Toyota, in partnership with the United States Marines, will hold their annual Toys for Tots drive at MetLife Stadium when they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to any of the Toyota collection vehicles located at each entrance of the stadium prior to the game. Uniformed Marine Corps Reserves and volunteers will be on hand to assist in collecting the donated gifts.

Modell’s Sporting Goods has donated $2,500 worth of sports equipment to the cause and will hand out coupons to all fans who donate a toy. Coupons are redeemable at Modell’s locations only.

If you are heading to Sunday’s game, please pack a toy or two in with your tailgating supplies. There are plenty of needy children out there who will thank you.