Jim Mancari, Contributor

Though nothing is imminent, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN at the spring owners meeting in Boston that both issues are currently being discussed.

Two games would be shaved off the preseason, and the regular season would become 18 games. The specifics about extended playoffs were not mentioned.

Frankly, the NFL should just keep things the way they are. The current 16-game schedule is plenty, and adding two more games would just be a ploy to make more money.

The players likely wouldn’t be in favor of that change since two more competitive games increases the risk of injury. Of course, injuries can happen even in the preseason, but these games are generally less intense.

As far as the playoffs, the NFL in my opinion has the best postseason structure right now. Only 12 of the 32 teams make the playoffs, and the top seeded teams are awarded with a bye and home-field advantage. The whole process from wild card weekend to the Super Bowl takes five weeks.

In basketball and hockey, 16 of the 30 teams – more than half – make the playoffs. And then the playoffs go on for a few months, which is way too long.

It should be a privilege to earn a postseason berth. In some cases, an NBA or NHL team will have a record at or under .500 and still make the playoffs. Though that has also happened in the NFl, it’s much less rare than the other two sports.

Baseball had a decent system before implementing the play-in game last year. Unlike football, one game of baseball is not enough to decide a playoff outcome. The old system with the three division winners and one wild card worked fine.

So if the NFL expanded its playoffs, what would it be? Would four teams from each conference make the playoffs for a total of eight teams? That would eliminate the coveted first-round bye for the top two teams.

I understand that the NFL is a money-making entity, but right now it makes the most money of any of the major sports. So why are the owners always looking for a change?

The NFL’s schedule and playoff structure are still the best system going right now, so “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

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]]> http://snygiants.com/new-york-giants/goodell-discusses-possibility-of-expanded-schedule-playoffs/feed/ 0 jmmanc http://snygiants.com/new-york-giants/jacquian-williams-still-recovering-from-knee-injury/ http://snygiants.com/new-york-giants/jacquian-williams-still-recovering-from-knee-injury/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 21:48:40 +0000 Sam Spiegelman http://snygiants.com/?p=46761 ]]>

Sam Spiegelman, Contributor

Giants linebacker Jacquian Williams is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered during the 2012 season.

The weakside linebacker missed six games last year due to the PCL injury is expected to help fill the void left by the now-departed Michael Boley — arguably the most vital position among the linebacking unit.

“Just kind of taking my time with it,” Williams said. “It is a day to day thing. It is getting better. Definitely better than it was. That’s all.”

Williams is expected to be the starter, but it was Spencer Paysinger who ran with the first unit — which included Mark Herzlich and Keith Rivers — during the first day of organized team activities Wednesday.

Williams watched from the sidelines along with backups Aaron Curry, Dan Connor and Etienne Sabino, who comprised the second unit. Curry could potentially fill in at SAM linebacker, too.

Other players recovering from injuries — like wideout Hakeem Nicks — missed the first day of OTAs, which drew the ire of head coach Tom Coughlin. Williams instead opted to attend in hopes of impressing the coaching staff and eventually landing a starting position.

“Right now my focus is just on getting back out there,” Williams said. “We had some guys that got released, so older guys have an opportunity to step up. I just take it day by day and see how it goes when I am out there.”

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Following Day 1 of OTAs Wednesday, the Giants quarterback displayed no concerns about not having his No. 1 or 2 receivers out there with him on the field. In fact, Nicks’ absence should have been expected, Manning said.

“There was no reason to think he wasn’t going to be here,” Manning said. “Right now I’m just worrying about myself going out there executing, the guys who are here, trying to make everybody better, up to speed on what we’re trying to do and get the young guys involved and get them caught up to speed on everything going on and try to get better. That’s all we’re working on.”

In place of Nicks and Cruz was free-agent addition Louis Murphy, second-year wideout Reuben Randle and third-year pro Jerrel Jernigan, who last week earned praise from Manning and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

Whether it’s in a starting role or as backups should injuries arise, the two youngsters and the newest addition to the wide receiving corps are developing chemistry with Manning.

“We’re getting everybody in there getting them a lot of reps, getting on time with them. We’re always going to get better. Whoever is on the field, we’re going to expect them to go out there and play at a high level. So I think the more guys you have who are experienced and ready to play different positions, the better off we’re going to be,” Manning said.

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During the first day of organized team activities Wednesday, the team revealed a new defensive tackle rotation amid off-season signing and draft picks.

With Chris Canty now a member of the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens and Rocky Bernard gone, Linval Joseph is one of only a few veterans who remain on the roster from last season.

Also returning is Shaun Rogers, who missed much of 2012 due to a blood clot. Markus Kuhn, the team’s seventh-round pick in last year’s draft, is also expected to have a role as he recovers from a torn ACL.

The team added former Eagles Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins via free agency, and drafted Johnathan Hankins in the second round out of Ohio State.

Looking to make amends for the 2012 unit that finished 28th in the NFL and allowed 4.6 yards per rush, this year’s squad appears younger, deeper and more talented.

“This is a new year,” Joseph said. “(Coach Tom Coughlin) always talks about (stopping the run) every year. But he just said it’s a clean plate, and let’s just start off the year the right way and finish the right way. But especially, begin the right way. Get rid of last year and that’s dead to us.”

Joseph has been a starter for Big Blue each of the past two seasons and the fourth off-season for the the team’s second-round selection from the 2010 NFL Draft.

Last year, Joseph finished with 59 tackles and four sacks, double the production from the year prior. In addition to improving on the field, he hopes to grow as a leader for the young defensive tackles.

“You have new faces all over the whole team … You just bring them in, treat them as family, and try to get as much accomplished as you can,” Joseph said.

“You just (tell them) to come in, get in your book, learn, do what everybody tells you to do and try to make plays. Just try to better the team.”

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Sam Spiegelman, Contributor

Herman, the No. 225 pick in the draft out of Ohio, will likely begin the year on the Giants practice squad. In time, however, he could find a position on the aging offensive line.

At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Herman had 36 bench-press reps during the NFL Combine. The Giants’ seventh-round draft pick earned All-MAC second team honors for the second straight year his senior season after recording team-highs in pancakes and knockdowns.

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So, did Eli Manning like what he saw today from the back of the depth chart?

“Yeah. I hit Louis (Murphy) on a deep one. I got Rueben (Randle) in there. I got (Jerrel) Jernigan some catches. We’re getting everybody in there getting them a lot of reps, getting on time with them. We’re always going to get better. Whoever is on the field, we’re going to expect them to go out there and play at a high level. So I think the more guys you have who are experienced and ready to play different positions, the better off we’re going to be.”

Jernigan, entering his third season, has played little and produced less. He was pinpointed recently by OC Kevin Gilbride as one of the players the Giants would be seeking to turn the corner on their career this summer.

“I’ve been here three years. I know the offense and it’s time for me to go out there and make some plays and contribute to my team. I understand where he’s coming from,” Jernigan said.

He was asked if he felt any pressure to produce, especially with Victor Cruz’ Giant future still uncertain.

“No. I don’t think it’s pressure. I’m going into my third year. I agree with him. It’s time for me to go out there and start making plays and start helping my team out besides just special teams…I know all the offense. It’s time for me to step up, make plays and help Hakeem and Cruz when I’m out there…Until he (Cruz) comes back, I’ll be a Z out there making plays.”

Louis Murphy is in his first season with the Giants. He is early in the process of learning the Giants’ offense.

Q: When you have guys like Cruz, Nicks and Randle, are you confident you can contribute to this receiving corps?
A: Yeah. You’ve just got to come in with your confidence and come ready to play ball, ready to compete and just play ball.

Q: How different is this offense from what you’ve worked with in the past?
A: It’s a little different, but we’ve been studying the plays for about six weeks now without going out there. It just felt good to actually get out there and run through the plays. It’s definitely a little different, but I like it a lot. It does a lot of different things that works to my benefit.

Q: You can stretch the field.
A: Yeah. That’s what I like to do. I can do a lot of things. I can go inside, play outside. I can do it all. But they do like to stretch the field and I like doing that.

Q: When you got to go to the Manning Passing Camp, you were with Victor, Hakeem and Eli. How much did that help you?
A: That helped out a lot with getting the play calls, watching film with Eli, going through the plays, walking through and then doing two-a-days. So that was good to get down there with him and it was just learning how to catch the ball from him. Every quarterback throws the ball different and he throws a really nice ball, a great ball.

Q: I would imagine catching a ball from a Super Bowl MVP is good.
A: Yeah. He’s deceptive, too. It looks like it’s coming in easy, but it has some zip behind it. It’s good just learning that, too, just building that chemistry, too.

Q: That can probably do things for a receiver who is looking to progress in his career.
A: For sure. I’m just here just to make plays. Come in and help the team win. That’s my main goal.

Tom Coughlin said he expected WR Hakeem Nicks at the team’s OTA this morning.

Day One of this OTA session is over and the Giants got to see the full mix of rookies, veterans and free agents on the field together for the first time.

Except some were missing. We knew Victor Cruz would not be in attendance, but Hakeem Nicks? He was expected, but did not show.

“I don’t know. He should be here,” said head coach Tom Coughlin when asked about Nicks’ whereabouts. “Yeah, sure I did (expect Nicks).  I expect everybody here.  We’re trying to get our team better.”

Coughlin said Nicks’ physical status was not the reason for his absence. “No, but he would have some kind of limitations, I’m sure.  Not right away, but that is not the reason.”

“There was no reason to think he (Nicks) wasn’t going to be here,” said QB Eli Manning, who probably wouldn’t have gotten many reps with Nicks today anyway, but still feels the need for getting the work in:

“You want to make sure your guys are healthy at the start of the year and that’s always the number one thing, but you’ve also got to get some work. We need to improve. We’ve got to rep things. We’ve got to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make sure we’re playing at our best. That involves being healthy and also involves practice and getting reps.”

The Giants, like all teams, hope to get through these drills without incurring any injuries. On the second play of the practice, FB Henry Hynoski went down and was carted off the field.

“He kind of got (his leg rolled up on) and so we are taking a look at that.  I said a few prayers and I’ll continue until I hear what it is,” explained Coughlin.

Manning said he didn’t see what happened to Hynoski. “I handed the ball off and just saw him on the ground after. I don’t know exactly what happened. I haven’t seen the film yet. I don’t know how severe the injury is, so hopefully it’s not too bad and he can be back either for the spring or at least for training camp. I don’t know the results yet.”

Coughlin was asked a number of questions about newly signed LB Aaron Curry:

Could you offer any first impressions of Curry?
I haven’t seen enough, really. I think he is learning and that has kind of got him a little bit under control.

Does a guy like Curry intrigue you just because of what he has done in the past – how highly regarded he was at one time?
No doubt. No doubt. He was very highly thought of and a highly evaluated player coming out of college.

What is the feeling when you take a guy like Curry – about what you can do for him that somebody else didn’t?
The feeling is that maybe this time around the player has figured it out. Maybe he didn’t have it all in the proper perspective the first time around. Maybe we can cut right to the chase. He feels a little bit differently about having an opportunity to have a job.

Have you been around him enough at this point to sense the hunger?
That is what we talked about when he decided to come here. So I’m thinking that he will do nothing but get better.

Sometimes is it just putting him in a position to succeed?
I wouldn’t think that that was the reason. We’ll do whatever we have to do to get him in the spot that he needs to be where he can be his best.

Coughlin on the primary mission of OTAs: “Get better; improve; improvement. There is always improvement. Yeah, there are young guys that have to come along, but there are veteran players that there may be one aspect of their game that needs to be improved upon. And we need to get better as a team. We need to get focused again as a team. We have had an awful lot of time away from each other. Now we have a chance to be together again and to get our thinking exactly the same and be on the same page. That is what this is all about is get yourself ready so that coaches can work with the players; get a feel for that. The personnel people can evaluate and see where there may be a need to help a certain area here or there. And allow that the individuals involved in the timing aspect of the game can work together.”

Sam Spiegelman, Contributor

Tom Coughlin told the media Nicks “should be here,” despite the sessions being voluntary.

Nicks is recovering from a knee scope and a 2012 campaigned plagued by both knee and foot injuries, which resulted in career lows in both yardage and touchdown receptions.

The Giants head coach added Nicks could have worked with some “limitations” in order to protect his knee from any setbacks.

Earlier today, I wrote about how Nicks’ recovery — especially given the slow progress of the Victor Cruz contract negotiations — is critical to the success of the Giants’ offense in 2013.

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Sam Spiegelman, Contributor

It comes as a bit of a surprise as the team signed veteran free agent Dan Connor to compete — and many believe — take the job after Michael Boley was released and the team opted not to re-sign Chase Blackburn.

In related linebacking news, Herzlich was flanked by Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers, not Jacquian Williams.

The linebacking corps is one the many storylines as the Giants return to the field today and tomorrow.

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Hynoski was injured on the second team play of the first day of organized team activities.

John Fennelly, Executive Editor

Not sure what the injury is at this point or the extent of it. Hopefully it is not serious. Hynoski is currently the only pure fullback on the Giants’ roster. His backup is TE Bear Pascoe.