1. There's a sense of urgency heading into dress rehearsal.
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With two preseason games in the books, the Giants' first-team offense with Eli Manning at quarterback has managed 104 yards and three points so far on 37 snaps. On one hand, coach Tom Coughlin knows it's the preseason. On the other, there are only two more test runs until they start to count.
The third preseason game, which is known as the dress rehearsal because starters typically play the most, pits the Giants against the Jets in the annual "MetLife Bowl."
"I worry about everything," Coughlin said. "I'm worried about everything. You give opportunities and guys make plays and they don't make plays. Then you analyze why they did or why they didn't and present it. You'd like to see it the other way. There has to be a little bit of a sense of urgency right now. You're a couple weeks away from lining up. So, I mean, I'd like to see things done well, done right."
2. Cruz still hopeful for Week 1.
A calf injury has delayed wide receiver Victor Cruz's comeback, preventing him from playing a game since his season-ending knee injury last October. Cruz said today he is relieved it has nothing to do with the knee.
"The calf I can deal with," he said, adding that he is on track for Week 1 against Dallas.
3. Giants to get trio of safeties back; injury notes.
While being limited, safeties Landon Collins (knee), Nat Berhe (calf) and Cooper Taylor (toe) are expected to practice on Tuesday. Wide receiver Rueben Randle, who is dealing with knee tendinitis, will go tomorrow and expects to play in the third preseason game on Saturday against the Jets.
"As far as I know, I should be playing," Randle said. "So we will see how this week goes." Meanwhile, Coughlin did not have an update on Jon Beason (sprained knee) but said that fellow linebacker Jonathan Casillas (neck) has not yet been cleared.
4. Collins engaged in defense.
Since the Giants traded up to draft him with the first pick in the second round, safety Landon Collins was penciled in to start right away, but a knee injury in the first preseason game has sidelined him recently. But during that time, Collins, who said he feels great and expects to play Saturday, has been tied to the hip of the coaches during practice to keep his head in the game.
"He's in every meeting, he's in every plan, he's interested," Coughlin said. "After what he's missed on the field, he has an opportunity to listen to the coaches talk about it in the classroom. He's up to date on everything that we're doing."
5. New LB Palmer worked out well.
The Giants made a series of rosters moves on Monday, signing veteran linebacker Ashlee Palmer, previously of the Detroit Lions, and undrafted rookie defensive back C. J. Conway, who participated in the team's rookie minicamp coming out of Montclair State. The Giants also waived/injured safety Justin Currie (ankle) and linebacker Tony Johnson (knee).
"Worked out very well," Coughlin said of Palmer, who has not missed a game in the last five seasons. "And I do like the fact that he's played without injury for quite some time. That could've been the reason right there."
6. Punting competition is open.
Two former Jets are competing this summer for the role of Giants punter: incumbent Steve Weatherford, who has been the guy since 2011, and third-year pro Robert Malone, who played for the Jets in 2012 and 2013. Through two preseason games, Weatherford's net average is 38.6 yards. Malone, who did not punt against Jacksonville, has an average of 43.2 yards on four attempts.
"Well, it is open,' Coughlin said. " It should be looked at that way by everybody. I don't care how many years in the league, when you come to camp, it's competitive, and you've got lots of people trying for the same job. So we certainly would like to see it the way we hope to expect it on game day and during the regular season. So I'm hoping that improves."
7. Patience is a virtue for Williams.
"Patience" isn't the first word Coughlin would use in describing second-year running back Andre Williams, who was the Giants' leading rusher last season. But Williams is learning the importance of the word, which he showed on an 11-yard run against the Jaguars as he let a hole develop in front of him.
"Well, he's obviously second time around—he knows more about what he's doing," Coughlin said. "He's more comfortable doing it. He is a powerful runner, and when given the opportunity, he's demonstrated."
