New York Giants

After a standout career at Syracuse University that saw him become just the fourth quarterback in Big East history to pass for more than 9,000 yards, the New York Giants selected Ryan Nassib in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Nassib spoke with SB Nation's Dan Rubenstein at last month's NFLPA Rookie Premiere.

Giants team president John Mara: 'Dave Jennings was one of the all-time great Giants'

We continue our breakdown of the 90-man roster the New York Giants will bring to training camp with a look at a player we focused on a bit during mini-camp, third-year offensive lineman James Brewer. 2012 Season In Review Brewer saw his first regular-season action in 2012, albeit limited. He played 34 snaps at right tackle or right guard in five games. The 2011 fourth-round pick was exclusively a tackle in college at Indiana, but has added the ability to play guard to his resume. [Brewer knows there is 'a spot to be won'] 2013 Outlook General manager Jerry Reese says "it is time for him (Brewer) to get in there and play' in 2013. Brewer worked at both right guard, where Chris Snee is rehabbing from hip surgery, and right tackle during OTAs and mini-camp. Brewer says "there is a spot to be won" at right tackle, where he is competing with veteran David Diehl and first-round pick Justin Pugh. Whether he wins that job or not, Brewer has become at least a versatile backup for the Giants. James Brewer #73 / Offensive Tackle / New York Giants Height: 6-6 Weight: 330 Born: Dec 23, 1987 College: Indiana

Dave Jennings, who punted for the New York Giants from 1974-84, was later a radio analyst for the team and is a member of the organization's Ring of Honor, died today in his New Jersey home. Jennings, who turned 61 June 8, had suffered from Parkinson's disease, a chronic degenerative neurological disorder, since 1996. "Dave Jennings was one of the all-time great Giants," said John Mara, the Giants president. "He was a valued member of the Giants family for more than 30 years as a player and a broadcaster, and we were thrilled to include him in our Ring of Honor. More importantly, he was an outstanding person who battled his illness with rare courage and dignity. We will miss him dearly." Jennings played for the Giants from 1974-84. He holds the franchise records for punts (931, or 405 more than runner-up Sean Landeta) and yards (38,792). Jennings was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1978, ‘79, ‘80 and ‘82. He punted a career-high 104 times in 1979, which was the Giants record until Brad Maynard had 111 punts in 1997. Jennings punted for more than 4,000 yards in a season three times (1979-81) and had a career-best 44.8-yard average in 1980. "Dave was a guy that everyone not only liked, but loved. Anyone who knew Dave would say he was a great guy. He was a terrific person with a bubbly personality," former Giants linebacker Harry Carson said. "The Giants were not very good when Dave and I were teammates in the 1970s. Dave was one of the few bright lights on those teams as a punter." Giants Chairman Steve Tisch said “Dave is and always will be a Giants’ Giant. He lived his life with class and dignity, and he was the ultimate professional as a player and commentator.”

APHakeem Nicks (right) talks with Eli Manning during Giants mini-camp. Hakeem Nicks revealed Wednesday that he formally apologized to Giants coach Tom Coughlin for breaking his promise to attend voluntary workouts but isn’t sorry he skipped them, with the star receiver citing injury concerns -- not his contract -- for his high-profile absence. In a lengthy and exclusive sitdown with The Post, Nicks also offered a cloudy outlook on his long-term future with the team beyond the final year of his contract, saying only that he enjoys being a Giant “right now.” Nicks, who was making a promotional appearance for Procter & Gamble in Herald Square as part of a new marketing deal with the company, was asked if his goal ultimately is to retire a Giant. “I really can’t speak for my whole career,” Nicks said. “I enjoy being a Giant right now. I’m going to take care of what I can take care of as long as I’m a Giant, but I do understand the business side of football, too.” Nicks recently caused a stir by sitting out the Giants’ voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) despite promising Coughlin he would attend, prompting speculation that Nicks -- like fellow wideout Victor Cruz -- was unhappy about his contract. Nicks attended Big Blue’s mandatory mini-camp last week and said his OTAs absence wasn’t due to his contract, and he reiterated that Wednesday while pointing to injury concerns -- he broke his foot during OTAs last year -- instead of money as his primary reason for not showing up to the voluntary workouts. “At the end of the day, there’s stuff that’s mandatory and there’s things that are not mandatory,” he said. “From my eyes, anytime you can let your body rest [is good]. Football is a physical sport, and it’s a long season, too. Anytime you can let your body rest, I feel like that’s always a blessing.” Coughlin was openly frustrated with Nicks for missing OTAs only because the coach said Nicks had promised to attend. Nicks confirmed Wednesday that he had indeed made that promise, and further revealed that he met with Coughlin behind closed doors last week to formally apologize. “I told him I would be there, but some things just took place and I had to take care of what I had to take care of,” Nicks told The Post. “As soon as I got back, we sat down and talked and got things squared away. I apologized, and everybody knew where I was coming from.” Nicks said he and Coughlin are now back on the same page. “Me and Coach Coughlin have a great relationship,” Nicks said. “Like I’ve said, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve been around. I like our relationship, and I don’t think it could ever be soured.” Ominously, though, Nicks wouldn’t say the same about his relationship with the Giants beyond the five-year, $12.54 million contract he signed as a rookie in 2009 that is about to enter its final season. “As long as I’m here, I’m going to represent the Giants well,” Nicks said. “I’m just focused on this season.” bhubbuch@nypost.com

Dave Jennings, the all-pro punter and longtime broadcaster for the Giants and Jets, died this morning at age of 61. Jennings suffered from Parkinson’s disease for nearly 20 years. Jennings, a four-time Pro Bowler, played for the Giants from 1974-84 after graduating from St. Lawrence University. He finished his...

During off seasons, there is always speculation about who might not return to the team the following year. This year, a few Giants returned who were not expected to for a variety of reasons. Some returnees were quite unexpected, like Aaron Ross and Ramses Barden. Of the players who were discussed as being unlikely to return this year, who do you think is most likely to make the team and contribute to the Giant's success? During off seasons, there is always speculation about who might not return to the team the following year. This year, a few Giants returned who were not expected to for a variety of reasons. Some returnees were quite unexpected, like Aaron Ross and Ramses Barden. Of the players who were discussed as being unlikely to return this year, who do you think is most likely to make the team and contribute to the Giant's success? Poll Which of the following returning Giants do you think is most likely to contribute during the season? David Diehl Kevin Boothe Ramses Barden Ryan Torain Keith Rivers Aaron Ross Someone else (note in comments) 1 votes | Results

Safety says Giants defense focused on improving its communication this offseason

As we continue to move through our breakdown of the 90-man roster the New York Giants will bring to training camp in late July we have come to one of the newest Giants, Kyle Bosworth, a linebacker signed recently as a free agent after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 2012 Season In Review Bosworth played in all 16 games for Jacksonville last season, starting five. He had 37 tackles, a pass defensed and an interception. Bosworth also led the Jaguars with 14 special teams tackles. Bosworth played nine games in 2011 and spent the 2010 season on injured reserve. 2013 Outlook Bosworth figures to compete for the weak-side (WILL) linebacker job with Spencer Paysinger and Jacquain Williams. Unless there are injuries to those players Bosworth seems most likely to end up as a reserve who makes his biggest impact on special teams -- a role he is familiar with.

November 25, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) scores a touchdown while defended by Green Bay Packers corner back Davon House (31) during the third quarter of an NFL game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports The New York Giants are in a rather awkward dilemma.  For years they have operated NFL free agency on the notion of  keeping their own players if possible and building through the draft.  Most of the time it works but the team could see some serious problems arise at wide receiver in 2014.  Not only is star slot man Victor Cruz up for a new deal again after signing his one-year tender for this season, but their best outside threat Hakeem Nicks is also scheduled to reach the open market for the first time. Eli Manning hoping Giants can keep Nicks and Victor Cruz Balancing free agency with the long-term safety of the team is a difficult task for every general manager.  Jerry Reese knows this.  He also knows keeping quarterback Eli Manning happy is one of his top priorities.  That is why the Nicks and Cruz situation must get resolved sooner rather than later.  Manning already expressed worry when both players didn’t show up for mandatory minicamp practices because of contract disputes.  A bigger worry is whether this will become a season-long distraction, whether in the media or on the field.  Hakeem Nicks the player is coming off an injury-marred year that saw him finish without 1,000 yards receiving for the first time since his rookie season of 2009.  Clearly the goal ahead of him is to recapture his old form what with millions of dollars and his future at stake.  If he falters or gets hurt again, that will compel the Giants to focus on locking Cruz up first.  This will either leave him with the smaller new deal or the compulsion to try his luck with a new team. Ravens mulling how to arm Joe Flacco after losing Anquan Boldin History proves there is never a shortage of teams looking for offensive firepower.  Surprisingly one that may take a stab at free agency at some point is the Baltimore Ravens.  The world champions currently face uncertainty at receiver after having trading veteran Anquan Boldin to San Francisco.  While Torrey Smith remains the favorite target of Joe Flacco, the list of names behind him is filled with unknowns.  Playoff hero Jacoby Jones should slide into the starting job but he has never played in that role before, leaving some to wonder if it is best suited for him.  Barring that, Baltimore seems content to ride out training camp with a host of young receivers such as Tandon Doss and Deonte Thompson.  They don’t want to go after a veteran option until they are sure of what they have.  If none of them can prove able to replace Boldin, then the Ravens may strike early in 2014 to find help.  Hakeem Nicks is their kind of player:  big, tough, experienced and prone to making clutch catches. If the Giants choose Cruz over him, then joining another winning team with a Super Bowl winning quarterback may suit him just fine.