The New York Giants have not made the playoffs since 2011, when they walked off the field under a shower of confetti following Super Bowl XLVI. Heading into 2015, the Giants are hoping for a big campaign out of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, although there are some serious roadblocks ahead. Pierre-Paul has still not signed his franchise tag and, of course, had his right index finger amputated after a fireworks accident on July 4.
With the Giants in the second week of their training camp, Pierre-Paul is still a no-show. Without the former University of South Florida star, New York is without much ability to rush the quarterback. Luckily, Pierre-Paul is apparently chomping at the bit to return, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.
"“Everybody’s had a good conversation, and mine was the same,” Coughlin said after Giants practice Saturday. “Do I know any more than I did before? No. Do I know when he’s coming back? No. He’s looking forward to coming. He’s anxious to be here. But he’s not going to come until he feels like he’s ready to play.”"
New York still has plenty of time before Pierre-Paul’s absence becomes a major problem. The Giants don’t open the season until Sept. 13 on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. If Pierre-Paul can’t go in the first contest, perhaps the Giants rely on rookie Owa Odighizuwa out of UCLA. Odighizuwa is considered very raw but he has the physical tools to be dominant with good speed off the edge and a frame of 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds.