Giants news: J.T. Thomas ready to rumble against Jaguars

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

J.T. Thomas excited to face his former team

For the past two seasons, Giants linebacker J.T. Thomas roamed the field as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas played middle linebacker for a majority of the season, but switched positions often to the outside. With the Giants, he is given positional stability and a better chance at finding team success.

"We were optimistic last year in Jacksonville. Of course we didn't make it to where we all want to make it to," Thomas said. "But here, playing under a coach who has been there and knows what it takes to get there, of course there's a different approach and higher expectation."

Thomas also spoke about a "sense of urgency" when facing his former team this weekend. However, it will be nothing but love after the game, when he's likely to shake hands and hug it out with his former teammates in Jacksonville, who are trying to build an identity. But in New York, under a two-time Super Bowl winning head coach and quarterback, the team has a better sense of what kind of identity they want and how to get back to the top.

"The Jaguars, last year when I was with them, I think they were in the process of building their foundation. Here, that's already been established. We're expected to live up to that standard, that Giant expectation. The two organizations are in two totally different positions right now," Thomas said.

The Giants will suit up against the Jaguars this Saturday night.

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Around the NFL

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III left Thursday's preseason game against the Lions after being diagnosed with a concussion. Griffin was hit on six of eight drop backs and sacked three times.

The Bills and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, have reached a stalemate in contract extension discussions. Dareus, 25, is in the final season of his rookie contract.

Giants co-owner John Mara will not become involved in the Tom Brady-NFL settlement talks.

Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor will not report to camp unless offered a new contract.