Back Issues for Tuck, Pierre-Paul; Tight Ends Have Sticky Fingers (Video)

The Giants quarterbacks, tight ends and receivers went toe to toe with the corner backs and safeties in a goal-line drill at practice on Wednesday. It was an exciting drill and the tight ends were able to use their size to get positions on their defenders regularly. 

Today we dive a little deeper into the revamped tight end group and the banged up defensive line. Fans are invited to practice on certain days and autographs will be made available regularly. 

Here is what you can expect from Giants' camp on a daily basis:

• Monday – Quarterbacks and Offensive Linemen
• Tuesday – Running Backs and Linebackers
• Wednesday – Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs
• Thursday – Tight Ends and Defensive Linemen
• Friday – Injury updates and preseason game preview

Tight Ends

At the moment Brandon Meyers, who caught 79 balls for the Oakland Raiders in 2012, is the No. 1 guy. Meyers has reliable hands and could definitely be a go-to-guy for Eli. On the flip side, there are other impressive young athletes at the tight end spot who are looking for some action, specifically Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell.

“These guys are 278, 280, 282, and they can run fairly well. We haven’t had that around here since I’ve been here. That’s since 1982. We haven’t had that size player. So that should add to our running game on the edge,” said Giants tight end coach Mike Pope.

Bear Pascoe finds himself as the resident veteran of this tight end group as he enters his fifth year with the Giants.

“I think we have a lot of versatility between myself, Brandon, Adrien and Larry,” said Pascoe. “I try to help the guys out whenever I can with whatever questions they’ve got.  It’s all about becoming a better team and us winning games.”

Pascoe is expected to play the role of fullback until Henry Hynoski, who injured his knee on May 23, is ready for action. Hynoski is eyeing a week one comeback. If he is late, Meyers and Robinson will likely handle all tight end duties while Pascoe fills in at fullback. 

Defensive Linemen

The Giants defensive line has been a strength over the years thanks to guys such as Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul but last year was a let down in that area. The Giants expect to start Tuck and Pierre-Paul at the two defensive end spots. However, Pierre-Paul sees things a bit differently and tuck wasn’t in practice Wednesday. 

Giants General Manager Jerry Reese said Tuesday that he is expecting Pierre-Paul, who is recovering from offseason back surgery, to be ready for week one. Pierre Paul took a different tone in an interview with ESPN. During the conversation Pierre-Paul said, “I already know that I’m going to be taking on two guys, double team, triple team maybe. I’m not in a rush to hurry up and come back to put myself through that.” 

Justin Tuck on the other hand has looked good throughout camp. Like Pierre-Paul, he is double teamed quite often so it was a concerning to hear that he missed practice due to a tight back.

“(Tuck) has a tight back and we’re just taking precautions. We expect him to play (this Saturday), but he’ll need to do a little bit of improving,” said Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

That leaves the Giants with two Pro Bowl quality defensive ends … on the sidelines.

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