Read More: 2012 nfl draft, giants rookie mini camp, Markus Kuhn (DT – NYG), New York Giants

According to Mike Garafolo of the Star Ledger and NJ.com, the New York Giants have agreed to terms with another one of their 2012 NFL Draft picks, leaving only one pick unsigned with rookie mini-camp set to begin on Friday.

Randle is an interesting, raw recevier prospect, who drew many different opinions from scouts and analysts alike. Some thought of him as one of the most talented receivers in the class and a good value in the second round. Others were lukewarm on him. Here’s what the National Football Post said about Randle in their scouting report:

Possesses that sneaky strider speed down the field and has some savvy to his game. However, lacks great burst out of his breaks and isn’t going to be effective running sharply breaking routes. Looks like a potential NFL starter only.

Follow SB Nation’s Big Blue View on Twitter for reports from the mini-camp.

Read More: 2012 nfl draft, giants rookie mini camp, Markus Kuhn (DT – NYG), New York Giants

According to Mike Garafolo of the Star Ledger and NJ.com, the New York Giants have agreed to terms with another one of their 2012 NFL Draft picks, leaving only one pick unsigned with rookie mini-camp set to begin on Friday.

Randle is an interesting, raw recevier prospect, who drew many different opinions from scouts and analysts alike. Some thought of him as one of the most talented receivers in the class and a good value in the second round. Others were lukewarm on him. Here’s what the National Football Post said about Randle in their scouting report:

Possesses that sneaky strider speed down the field and has some savvy to his game. However, lacks great burst out of his breaks and isn’t going to be effective running sharply breaking routes. Looks like a potential NFL starter only.

Follow SB Nation’s Big Blue View on Twitter for reports from the mini-camp.

BATON ROUGE — LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle went from last to first in a hurry Friday night. The last of 26 players left in the NFL draft Green Room was the last player picked in the second round. But he landed on the first-place team when the world champion New York Giants made him their second-round choice at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end and former Giant Michael Strahan made the announcement, which drew cheers from Giants fans in attendance. He was the fifth receiver selected in the round and the ninth overall.

Randle posted the follwing to his Twitter account, “NY looks like I’m here to stay.”

Safety Brandon Taylor was the other LSU player picked Friday night. He went to the San Diego Chargers in the third round, 10 spots after Randle and the 73rd player taken overall. That gave LSU four of the top 73 players picked. Morris Claiborne went to Dallas and defensive tackle Michael Brockers to St. Louis in the first round Thursday night.

Randle steps in to a fairly good situation. The Giants lost Mario Manningham to San Francisco in free agency, setting up a battle for the No. 3 receiver job behind Hakeen Nicks and Victor Cruz. Randle will be competing with the likes of Ramses Barden, Jerrel Jernigan and Domenik Hixon.

Marc Ross, the Giants’ director of college scouting, told the New York Post the organization had a first-round grade on Randle and considered taking him with the 32nd pick. They chose Virginia Tech running back David Wilson instead.

“I really didn’t think there was a chance we were going to get him,” Ross told ESPN.com. “Actually, we talked a little about him yesterday with our pick. Rueben is an NFL-ready receiver. What I mean by that is this guy is strong, he can catch the ball, he is a good route runner and has got position savvy. He knows how to get open. To me those are the successful receivers in the NFL.

“Our guys that we have now, Hakeem and Victor, you put them on at the combine, you won’t notice them but if you put them on the football field, they just take their game to another level, and this is how Rueben is in our eyes.”

Randle had a breakout season as a junior last year with 53 catches for 917 yards and eight touchdowns for a team that primarily ran the ball and often sat on big leads in the fourth quarter. Despite erratic quarterback play in all three of his seasons, Randle had 97 receptions for 1,634 yards and 13 touchdowns and now gets to catch passes from Eli Manning.

“Eli Manning is a great quarterback,” said Randle. “A lot of guys will help me develop my game and get better. You just have to stay humble. I knew my opportunity was going to come. You can’t stress about that. It’s about what you do after you get drafted. I am going to go out there and work hard for these guys and hopefully make the team.”

San Diego obviously had its eye on Taylor. The Chargers gave their sixth round pick to Miami to trade places with the Dolphins in the third round and draft the native of Franklinton, whose brother Curtis is a safety for the San Francisco 49ers.

The pick continued a defensive theme for San Diego. Earlier in the draft, the Chargers picked outside linebacker Melvin Ingram of South Carolina in the first round and defensive end Kendall Reyes of Connecticut in the second round.

Taylor is expected to battle incumbent veteran strong safety Atari Bigby for the starting job.

“Because of playing outside and coming inside, he’s got a great awareness,” San Diego Coach Norv Turner told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “He sees things awfully well. He breaks on the ball and has instincts like a corner. He’s a 200-plus pound guy, so he can play in a physical manner like a strong safety.”

Taylor had 71 tackles last season, second on the team. He broke up five passes and had two of his four career interceptions while starting all 14 games last season. He played cornerback as a freshman but moved to safety and started 33 of his 49 games.

“I’m a very humble person,” Taylor said, “and I know the Chargers never really have any off the field issues with their players. You never hear about their players in the media or anything, so I just think that their program fits me and the type of person that I am. Just gotta go out and win.”

The 2012 New York Giants will prepare to defend their Super Bowl championship with preseason games against their same-stadium rivals, a nationally televised contest, and a Super Bowl rematch (well, sort of).

The Giants announced the team’s full 2012 preseason schedule via a press release and the team’s official website on Wednesday afternoon. The Giants will travel just once this upcoming August. That trip comes early this year, as the Giants will play at the Jacksonville Jaguars during Week 1 of the preseason. That game will take place between August 9 and August 12. The Giants will then be the road team in the annual preseason game against the New York Jets (Week 2 will take place from August 16 to August 19). The Giants will host the Chicago Bears on August 24. That game will be nationally televised on CBS. They then host the New England Patriots on August 29. Exact kickoff times and dates for the first two preseason games will be announced at a later time.

Thoughts on New York Giants preseason schedule: Home sweet home

Getting that one road preseason game out of the way early is only a good thing for the Giants. Depending on when the first preseason game is scheduled, the Giants could go over one entire month without any lengthy trips. That’s a rather comfortable way to begin the 2012 regular season.

Thoughts on New York Giants preseason schedule: An interesting choice

Unlike in previous years (minus 2010, when the Giants and Jets opened New Meadowlands Stadium), this year’s Giants-Jets preseason game will occur in Week 2 and not Week 3. Week 3 is traditionally the “most important” preseason week for teams, the week when starting lineups play into the second half. With no bragging rights on the line (despite what Rex Ryan may say between now and mid-August), this game could be all about TebowMania, especially if the newly signed Tim Tebow plays well during the second half against the Giants second/third/won’t-be-signed defensive units.

Thoughts on New York Giants preseason schedule: Week 3

Preseason football has been largely unkind to the Giants in recent history. For example, the Giants lost top CB Terrell Thomas for the season last August. Every team in the league takes Week 3 of the preseason very seriously, and the thought of Eli Manning and company being out on the field for at least three entire quarters against a hard-hitting Chicago defense is not a happy one. This may be an exhibition game, but it will also be a chance for the Bears to make a big statement on the road against the reigning champs. I’ll be knocking on wood and crossing fingers throughout this game.

Thoughts on New York Giants preseason schedule: Not as fun as it looks

A Super Bowl rematch to finish off the preseason? Not really. The final preseason game is like Syllabus Day in college. Sure, it’s technically a day of class, but nobody really cares, and it doesn’t really matter if you’re there or not. Perhaps Eli Manning and Tom Brady can enjoy a healthy “Words With Friends” battle during the final 50 minutes of the game. Such a contest would probably be more exciting to watch than will be the “action” that’s occurring on the field that evening.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Brandon Jacobs was released Friday by the New
York Giants after he could not reach agreement on a restructured deal.

The running back spent seven seasons with New York, winning two Super Bowls.

Jacobs, 29, ran for 571 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a backup
to Ahmad Bradshaw. He is the fourth-leading rusher in franchise history with
4,849 yards, but saw his role diminish with the emergence of Bradshaw.

“Brandon helped us win two world championships,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin
said. “He always did what was in the best interest of team. No matter what you
asked him to do, he performed and played in whatever role we asked him to
perform. He really was a team player.

“I have always felt like Brandon could be counted on. He’s a guy that is
very, very good in meetings for me. He pays attention. He picks up on the
message. He loves the excitement of the game. He loves everything about it: the
pregame routine, the talking to his teammates, trying to motivate his teammates.
He loves every part of it.”

A fourth-round draft pick in 2005, Jacobs rushed for 56 touchdowns. He had
1,000-yard seasons in 2007 and 2008, but his carries and yardage dipped the past
two seasons. He gained 823 yards in 2010, and had just 152 carries and a
3.8-yard average last season.

“We tried, couldn’t reach an agreement,” Jacobs said. “It’s been great,
though. I can’t say anything negative about anybody in the organization.”

Bradshaw, who has battled foot injuries in recent years, will be backed up
next season by D.J. Ware and Da’Rel Scott, who saw little action this past
season as a rookie. Former draft pick Andre Brown spent last season on the
practice squad and could figure into the mix.

Jacobs expressed hopes after the 21-17 Super Bowl win over New England that
he would be able to work out a deal and stay with the Giants. But with other
needs, and a salary cap to manage, New York had other ideas.

“It’s been a great ride,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs was drafted out of Southern Illinois. He began his college career at
Coffeyville Community College and transferred to Auburn before finally settling
in with the Salukis.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Brandon Jacobs was released Friday by the New York Giants after he could not reach agreement on a restructured deal.

The running back spent seven seasons with New York, winning two Super Bowls.

Jacobs, 29, ran for 571 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a backup to Ahmad Bradshaw. He is the fourth-leading rusher in franchise history with 4,849 yards, but saw his role diminish with the emergence of Bradshaw.

“Brandon helped us win two world championships,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “He always did what was in the best interest of team. No matter what you asked him to do, he performed and played in whatever role we asked him to perform. He really was a team player.

“I have always felt like Brandon could be counted on. He’s a guy that is very, very good in meetings for me. He pays attention. He picks up on the message. He loves the excitement of the game. He loves everything about it: the pregame routine, the talking to his teammates, trying to motivate his teammates. He loves every part of it.”

A fourth-round draft pick in 2005, Jacobs rushed for 56 touchdowns. He had 1,000-yard seasons in 2007 and 2008, but his carries and yardage dipped the past two seasons. He gained 823 yards in 2010, and had just 152 carries and a 3.8-yard average last season.

“We tried, couldn’t reach an agreement,” Jacobs said. “It’s been great, though. I can’t say anything negative about anybody in the organization.”

Bradshaw, who has battled foot injuries in recent years, will be backed up next season by D.J. Ware and Da’Rel Scott, who saw little action this past season as a rookie. Former draft pick Andre Brown spent last season on the practice squad and could figure into the mix.

Jacobs expressed hopes after the 21-17 Super Bowl win over New England that he would be able to work out a deal and stay with the Giants. But with other needs, and a salary cap to manage, New York had other ideas.

“It’s been a great ride,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs was drafted out of Southern Illinois. He began his college career at Coffeyville Community College and transferred to Auburn before finally settling in with the Salukis.

As if UMass fans didn’t have enough incentive to come out to tonight’s men’s basketball game versus Xavier, it has come to light that New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will be in attendance. Multiple sources revealed that Cruz will be making the trip up to Amherst to watch the Minutemen (18-8, 7-5 Atlantic 10) face the Musketeers (17-9, 8-4 A-10).

Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette broke the news via Twitter Monday.

Today, Cruz, a member of the New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XLVI this year, went to Twitter to make the official announcement. He responded to one of his followers asking if he’d be attending the game tonight with a simple “yes.”

He later tweeted, “Seems like everyone’s excited about the Umass vs Xavier game tonight!”

The speculation began on Sunday night when Cruz tweeted this to his 151,880 followers, “Ok only a few Umass bball home games left this season! Which one shall I attend? Hmmmm.”

Victor Cruz was one of the top breakout wide receivers in the NFL during the 2011 season. Not only did he give New York Giants fans a new player to root for, but Cruz helped several fantasy football owners get to their championship as he gained yardage and touchdowns throughout the season.

Five games stood out for Cruz as the chemistry between him and Eli Manning helped lead the Giants to multiple victories, the lead in the NFC east and playoff contention.

Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants had something to prove when they headed into Philadelphia against their arch-rivals. In a 29-16 victory, Cruz caught for 110 total yards, including a 74 yard catch in the first quarter that led to an early 14-0 lead.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, Cruz caught his second touchdown in the game for 28 yards and a lead that the Giants would continue to grow with no matched points in the fourth.

Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals

After back to back wins against the Eagles and Ram, the Giants continued to roll into Arizona. Cruz had no touchdowns in the game, but he had six catches for 98 yards including a crucial third down catch that he ran for 13 yards. The drive led to a rushing touchdown by Brandon Jacobs.

Without the third down catch, the Cardinals may have beat the Giants and ended the win streak.

Giants vs. New England Patriots

The Giants love being the underdog and they certainly felt the pressure as they headed to New England to take on Tom Brady and the Patriots. Cruz had six catches for 91 yards in a similar performance to the game against the Cardinals. In the fourth quarter, Cruz was a part of the Giants drive that ended up with a Mario Manningham touchdown.

In the final minutes of the game, Cruz set up the pace for the game winning drive as he caught a 19 yard pass from Manning that brought the Giants up the field and eventually led to a Jake Ballard touchdown and upset victory over the Patriots.

Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

Even though the Giants lost to the Green Bay Packers in NFL Week 13, the offense was on fire all game. Cruz had seven catches in the game for a total of 119 yards. Late in the first quarter, he had a 42 yard catch that led to a field goal for the Giants.

Giants vs. New York Jets

In a battle same-city teams the Giants showed their dominance against the Jets. Victor Cruz was quiet for the most of the game except one key play that broke records and set up the Giants for victory. As the first half was winding down, the Giants were pinned at their own one yard line. Eli Manning shot a quick pass to Cruz. Cruz spun away from his opponent and turned the catch into a record 99 yard touchdown that was replayed on sports channels for days after and will go down as one of Cruz’s greatest catches.

Alan Donahue is a life-long New York Giants fan. He passionately follows the NFC East, plays in numerous fantasy football leagues and has written hundreds of sports articles.

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By the time Victor Cruz turned the corner on Dallas’ Terence Newman in the first quarter tonight, the Giants’ sideline became a bouncing mass of blue and white waving their slot receiver toward the end zone.

They had seen this before: The way Cruz can catch a sliver of open space and turn the remaining field into a track meet.

They had seen it a week ago when Cruz rendered a flat-footed Jets secondary dumbfounded with a 99-yard catch-and-run that awoke a sleepy Giants offense.

Tonight, Dallas was the victim with a little more than five minutes to play in the first quarter, on a third-and-1.The Cowboys’ secondary tried to chase Cruz 74 yards down field but Newman dove around the 30-yard line and Gerald Sensabaugh gave up around the 10.

“I was just watching myself on the JumboTron just making sure they weren’t too close,” said Cruz, who’s goal this season was just to get one catch in a meaningful regular-season game.

For the second time in as many weeks, Cruz brought the Giants to life with an electric catch-and-run, then delivered a series of decisive blows throughout the game. In the 31-14 win over Dallas in front of 81,077, a victory that gave the Giants the NFC East division title and a berth in the playoffs, he finished with six catches for 178 yards and a touchdown. Over the past two games, he’s had 342 receiving yards.

“I guess it’s just God-given ability,” Cruz said. “When I get the ball in my hands I try and make the most of every play, you know, I try and make the maximum yardage I can get every time I touch the ball.”

Said Giants coach Tom Coughlin: “He just keeps doing it, and thank God he does. I am cheering for him, doing cartwheels on the sidelines as he is running by.”

Unfortunately for Dallas, their Cruz-induced headaches were not limited to that 74-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

On a third-and-7 from the Giants’ 28-yard line in the fourth quarter, Eli Manning spun off pressure in the pocket and hurled one to Cruz 44 yards downfield. The safety went in the opposite direction on Cruz’s seam route, giving Manning the go-ahead to make the throw.

Two plays later, Manning hit Cruz again over the middle for a gain of 20, setting up a 28-yard field goal.

“He’s come up big,” Manning said. “Last year when we lost Steve Smith to an injury we really struggled not having anyone to work the middle of the field. We put a lot on Cruz, he’s done a great job doing that all season.”

The Dallas defense placed a safety over top for some much-needed help. But it didn’t help. The Cowboys tried, and failed, to get inside the receiver’s head. After Laurent Robinson scored on a 6-yard quick-slant touchdown, he broke out in Cruz’s signature touchdown salsa dance.

“I told him if he wants to do my dance, he needs to be a little more fluid, man,” Cruz said.

Conor Orr: corr@starledger.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Coming off one of their best defensive efforts, the New York Giants seemingly are getting another piece back for their NFC East showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora practised on a limited basis Wednesday after being sidelined for the month with a high ankle sprain and continuing problems with his knee.

Expect him on the field Sunday night when the Giants (8-7) face the Cowboys (8-7) for the division title and a first-round home game against either Atlanta or Detroit.

“Hey, this is it,” backup defensive end Dave Tollefson said. “Win, you’re in. Lose, you go home.

“So you might as well pull all the stops and get everybody rolling.”

Umenyiora hurt the ankle — the team has not said which one — in a loss in New Orleans on Nov. 28. He has missed the last four games and many wondered whether he would be back on the field this season.

However, the nine-year veteran looked nimble running with the defensive linemen early in practice.

“He’s tested everything, lots of times,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “That’s what he’s been doing. He’s been working his tail off.

“He just hasn’t been able to get right.”

Umenyiora did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking comment. He usually talks to reporters on Fridays.

The Giants have not been hurt by Umenyiora’s absence because second-year pro and recent Pro Bowl selection Jason Pierre-Paul has been outstanding starting for him at right end, twice winning NFC defensive player of the week honours.

However, Umenyiora’s addition also comes at a time when fellow two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck is playing his best football after a season marked by neck, groin and toe injuries.

With Umenyiora, Pierre-Paul, Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants will finally have all the part of the third-down pass quartet they envisioned using all season. And some depth.

Pierre-Paul was forced to play more than 100 plays in the Giants’ 29-14 win over the rival Jets at MetLife Stadium.

“That rest will help me a lot and it will get me going,” said Pierre-Paul, who was selected the NFC defensive player of the week Wednesday for the second time in three weeks. “I was playing like 80 snaps a game and that is a lot.

“You don’t really think about it, you just have to go.”

Pierre-Paul also won the honour in the Giants 37-34 win over Dallas on Dec. 11. He had eight tackles, two sacks, one of which resulted in a safety, a forced fumble that led to a field goal and blocked Dan Bailey’s tying field goal attempt on the final play of the game.

If the Giants do have everybody back that could make things a little tougher for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who intends to play this weekend despite suffering a bruised right hand in 20-7 loss to Philadelphia this past weekend.

“I think that Osi is a good player, so anytime they get another pass rusher it presents more of a challenge,” Romo said in a conference call with New York media. “We have to prepare for that. I think that group up front is an outstanding group and they have three or four guys that you really have to account for.

“It is going to be a great challenge for our guys up front and for me to see different things and you just have to know that going into the week. We will be prepared for it.”

The Giants’ defence, which ranks 28th in the league, played an outstanding game against the Jets, particularly after yielding a touchdown on the opening drive. It forced three turnovers and held the Jets to 4-of-21 on third-down conversions. The only Jets touchdown in the second half came on an 11-yard drive after an Eli Manning pass was intercepted.

Safety Antrel Rolle said the Giants are willing to pay the price to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Nicked players are practising and the tempo has picked up.

Having Umenyiora back on the field is just another example of that.

“All on deck. We’re all fighting,” Rolle said. “We’re all trying to get better. It means everything to have Osi out there. I know he’s probably not 100 per cent, but he’s fighting.

“He’s fighting. He’s fighting for himself. He’s fighting for this team. He’s fighting for what we have at stake.”

Tackle Chris Canty said having Umenyiora and his seven sacks back just gives the defence another talented player.

“It would be pretty impeccable timing, to get everyone healthy and running,” Tollefson said.

NOTES: WR Hakeem Nicks did not practise because of a recurring hamstring injury. He said he would play Sunday. …WR Mario Manningham, who missed the Jets game with a nagging season-long knee injury, worked on a limited basis. …TE Jake Ballard, who sprained a knee against Washington on Dec. 18 and did not play last week, did some running and light cutting away from the team. He did practise. ….Coughlin, who injured his left leg Saturday when slammed into by running back D.J. Ware, got a message from Saints coach Sean Payton, who broke his left leg when tight end Jimmy Graham slammed into him Oct. 16 in a game at Tampa, Fla. “You look like you’re a better athlete than me, you didn’t go down,” Coughlin said Payton told him.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Coming off one of their best defensive efforts,
the New York Giants seemingly are getting another piece back for their NFC East
showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced on a limited basis
Wednesday after being sidelined for the month with a high ankle sprain and
continuing problems with his knee.

Expect him on the field Sunday night when the Giants (8-7) face the Cowboys
(8-7) for the division title and a first-round home game against either Atlanta
or Detroit.

“Hey, this is it,” backup defensive end Dave Tollefson said. “Win, you’re
in. Lose, you go home. So you might as well pull all the stops and get
everybody rolling,”

Umenyiora hurt the ankle—the team has not said which one—in a loss in
New Orleans on Nov. 28. He has missed the last four games and many wondered
whether he would be back on the field this season.

However, the nine-year veteran looked nimble running with the defensive
linemen early in practice.

“He’s tested everything, lots of times,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “That’s
what he’s been doing. He’s been working his tail off. He just hasn’t been able
to get right.”

Umenyiora did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press
seeking comment. He usually talks to reporters on Fridays.

The Giants have not been hurt by Umenyiora’s absence because second-year pro
and recent Pro Bowl selection Jason Pierre-Paul has been outstanding starting
for him at right end, twice winning NFC defensive player of the week honors.

However, Umenyiora’s addition also comes at a time when fellow two-time Pro
Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck is playing his best football after a season
marked by neck, groin and toe injuries.

With Umenyiora, Pierre-Paul, Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants will
finally have all the part of the third-down pass quartet they envisioned using
all season. And some depth.

Pierre-Paul was forced to play more than 100 plays in the Giants’ 29-14 win
over the rival Jets at MetLife Stadium.

“That rest will help me a lot and it will get me going,” said Pierre-Paul,
who was selected the NFC defensive player of the week on Wednesday for the
second time in three weeks. “I was playing like 80 snaps a game and that is a
lot. You don’t really think about it, you just have to go.”

Pierre-Paul also won the honor in the Giants 37-34 win over Dallas on Dec.
11. He had eight tackles, two sacks, one of which resulted in a safety, a forced
fumble that led to a field goal and blocked Dan Bailey’s tying field goal
attempt on the final play of the game.

If the Giants do have everybody back that could make things a little tougher
for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who intends to play this weekend despite
suffering a bruised right hand in 20-7 loss to Philadelphia this past weekend.

“I think that Osi is a good player, so anytime they get another pass rusher
it presents more of a challenge,” Romo said in a conference call with New York
media. “We have to prepare for that. I think that group up front is an
outstanding group and they have three or four guys that you really have to
account for. It is going to be a great challenge for our guys up front and for
me to see different things and you just have to know that going into the week.
We will be prepared for it.”

The Giants’ defense, which ranks 28th in the league, played an outstanding
game against the Jets, particularly after yielding a touchdown on the opening
drive. It forced three turnovers and held the Jets to 4 of 21 on third-down
conversions. The only Jets touchdown in the second half came on an 11-yard drive
after an Eli Manning pass was intercepted.

Safety Antrel Rolle said the Giants are willing to pay the price to make the
playoffs for the first time since 2008. Nicked players are practicing and the
tempo has picked up.

Having Umenyiora back on the field is just another example of that.

“All on deck. We’re all fighting,” Rolle said. “We’re all trying to get
better. It means everything to have Osi out there. I know he’s probably not 100
percent, but he’s fighting. He’s fighting. He’s fighting for himself. He’s
fighting for this team. He’s fighting for what we have at stake.”

Tackle Chris Canty said having Umenyiora and his seven sacks back just gives
the defense another talented player.

“It would be pretty impeccable timing, to get everyone healthy and
running,” Tollefson said.

NOTES: WR Hakeem Nicks did not practice because of a recurring hamstring
injury. He said he would play Sunday. …WR Mario Manningham, who missed the
Jets game with a nagging season-long knee injury, worked on a limited basis.
…TE Jake Ballard, who sprained a knee against Washington on Dec. 18 and did
not play last week, did some running and light cutting away from the team. He
did practice. ….Coughlin, who injured his left leg on Saturday when slammed
into by running back D.J. Ware, got a message from Saints coach Sean Payton, who
broke his left leg when tight end Jimmy Graham slammed into him on Oct. 16 in a
game at Tampa, Fla. “You look like you’re a better athlete than me, you didn’t
go down,” Coughlin said Payton told him.

Two members of the New York Giants were announced as Pro Bowl selections on Tuesday. One of them wasn’t even on the ballot.

It will mark the second Pro Bowl for Giants quarterback Eli Manning, but it might be the first selection for second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul that’s most impressive. Pierre-Paul was not on the ballot, and thus could have only received write-in votes from fans.

Pierre-Paul presumably garnered enough votes from players and coaches — who can vote for any player on the active roster and each count as one-third of total voting — to join Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and Eagles defensive end Jason Babin on the NFC roster.

“It means a lot,” Pierre-Paul said. “I don’t really understand the whole Pro Bowl thing, but it means a lot. It means I’m doing good.”

Pierre-Paul has started 11 of the Giants’ 15 games and recorded 15.5 sacks, fourth in the NFL. He has at least a half-sack in 11 games and multiple sacks in five games.

Pierre-Paul was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance in the Giants’ 37-34 victory in Dallas on Dec. 11. He led the team with eight tackles (six solo), including two sacks (one for a safety), a forced fumble, and a block of Dan Bailey’s 47-yard field-goal attempt with one second left that would have sent the game into overtime.

Even if he doesn’t completely understand the whole Pro Bowl thing, Pierre-Paul has been rewarded for his breakout season.

Wide receiver Victor Cruz and guard Chris Snee are second alternates for the NFC, according to the Giants.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.