The New York Giants (1-1) will play their first preseason "home" game Friday night against the Chicago Bears (1-1) in Week 3 of the 2012 preseason. The game will be broadcast nationally on the CBS networks (Channel 2 in New York) and over the airwaves on WCBS-FM (101.1).
LAST WEEK
The Giants smashed their city rivals in green, the New York Jets, 26-3, in a "road" game Saturday at Met Life Stadium. Lawrence Tynes booted four field goals and rookie Jayron Hosley returned a Mark Sanchez interception 77 yards for a touchdown. Offensively, Big Blue didn't register a score until 6:41 left in the game when third-string quarterback Ryan Perrilloux hit Joe Martinek on a 14-yard pass play.
STATE OF THE G-MEN
The Giants are dealing with their usual assortment of injuries and decided not to take any chances by holding out defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul for precautionary reasons due to back spasms.
The season opener against the Dallas Cowboys is only a couple of weeks away and more ailments have the offensive line in a state of flux. The Giants are concerned projected starting left tackle Will Beatty (back) won't be ready by September 5. Veteran Sean Locklear, a natural right tackle, has played in Beatty's spot, but may end up switching with current right tackle David Diehl.
Alas, Blue Nation, do not despair. There is a "ray of hope," according to head coach Tom Coughlin, that defensive tackle Shaun Rogers may actually play this season despite a blood clot.
THE BEARS DEN
The Bears added wide receiver Brandon Marshall and running back Michael Bush to an improving offense, but new offensive coordinator Mike Tice may have the biggest impact. Tice's strength is nurturing offensive lines and quarterback Jay Cutler is more comfortable working his system compared to that of Mike Martz.
Windy City Gridiron has more on the one of the projected playoff teams in the NFC.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Rookie running back David Wilson won't start, but Coughlin said he will receive "plenty of snaps." Starter Ahmad Bradshaw is nursing a burst cyst that caused swelling in his right hand, so the Giants' first-round pick practiced with the first team this week. Wilson has averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the preseason and rushed for 26 on eight carries against the Jets to move ahead of D.J. Ware, Andre Brown and Da'Rel Scott on the depth chart.
"You want to go out there and show what you can do," Wilson said, "and hopefully get more reps with Eli [Manning]. I'm learning every day, learning something new. They're not gonna put you out there until they know you're ready. ... They're giving me my opportunity this week, and I want to take full advantage."
Fellow rookie Rueben Randle has shown signs of big-play ability. Against the Jets his one catch went for 46 yards. Expect him to get another look look as part of the competition for Manning's third wide receiver.
WHAT NOT TO WATCH FOR
Hosley (turf toe) will most likely miss the rest of the preseason, but is close to getting cleared to resume practicing.
QUOTABLE
"Yes, this is my first year dunking (people) ... and this is my last year." -- Jason Pierre-Paul on dunking Prince Amukamara in an ice tub, a video posted by Steve Weatherford that went viral and had Giants players doing damage control.
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