Final roster decisions & other key dates

By 4 p.m. today, all clubs must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players.

Following last week's roster trimming, the Giants currently have 81 players on the team. The Giants were granted a roster exemption for International Pathway Program running back Sandro Platzgummer from Austria.

Additionally, clubs must make a decision on players that are on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. For the Giants, the only player that is currently on the PUP list is rookie third-round cornerback Aaron Robinson.

While today marks the final big deadline prior to the start of the regular season, there are still plenty more significant dates to remember in the coming months.

Here are the important NFL roster dates to know for the rest of 2021:

September 1: Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

-- Upon receipt of the Personnel Notice, clubs may establish a Practice Squad, subject to the applicable limits negotiated for the 2021 season (clubs participating in the International Player Development Program may sign one additional international player to a Practice Player Contract.) No club, including the player's prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a practice player contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player's prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.

-- Beginning at 4:00 p.m., New York time, any player placed on Reserve/Injured or Reserve/Non- Football Injury or Illness during the regular season or postseason, may be designated for return later in the season, subject to the applicable procedures negotiated for the 2021 season.

September 5: Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs, as defined in CBA Article 23, Section 10.

September 28: Beginning on the Tuesday following the third weekend of regular season games, the claiming priority is based on the inverse order of the standing of clubs in the current season's games.

November 2: All trading ends for 2021 at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

November 3: Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.

Click here to view the full list of important NFL dates to know for 2021-2022

Pro Football Focus takeaways from preseason finale vs. Patriots

The Giants came up just short in the preseason finale at MetLife Stadium Sunday night, falling to the Patriots 22-20.

Big Blue was down 22-14 late in this contest before a 43-yard last-second heave from Mike Glennon to Damion Willis brought Joe Judge's squad within two. However, after failing to convert on the two-point conversion, the Giants would end up losing this one by two points.

Despite the close loss, several players stood out in the Giants' finale tune-up before the start of the regular season.

Here are some Pro Football Focus takeaways from the preseason finale against the New England Patriots.

Wide receiver Damion Willis led the way on Sunday, earning an elite 92.5 overall grade. As noted earlier, Willis was on the receiving end of Glennon's last-second heave to bring the Giants within two points, finishing the day with three receptions for 70 yards and the score.

Right behind Willis was one of the members of the Giants' starting offensive line- guard Will Hernandez. Hernandez played 39 snaps against the Patriots and received a 92.2 overall grade, including a 91.5 run block grade and an 85.0 pass block grade. He did not allow a single pressure on 28 pass blocking snaps.

Additionally, tackle Jackson Barton got a 78.7 overall grade on 30 snaps, including an 82.6 run block grade on 10 run blocking plays.

On the defensive side of the ball, it should come as a surprise to no one that linebacker Blake Martinez earned the highest grade with a 91.7. Martinez made a magnificent catch on an interception in the first half, which aided his incredibly impressive 93.5 coverage grade.

Next up on the defense was Julian Love, who got an 89.5 on his 10 defensive snaps. Love picked up a pass breakup on his way to receiving an 84.5 coverage grade.

Defensive tackle Elijah Qualls picked up an 83.4 run defense grade, while linebacker Lorenzo Carter played well with an 81.2 pass rush grade. Dexter Lawrence also earned an 81.6 run defense grade.

Giants honor late head coach Jim Fassel during game

Earlier this summer, former Giants head coach Jim Fassel passed away at the age of 71.

Fassel coached the Giants from 1997-2003. His 58 career regular-season victories are the fourth-highest total among the 19 coaches in the 96-year history of the franchise. He was named NFL Coach of the Year after his first season.

During his seven seasons at the helm, Fassel led the Giants to three playoff berths and a Super Bowl while mentoring some of the franchise's greatest players.

The Giants honored the late head coach during Sunday's preseason finale against the Patriots with a special tribute video that can be found below.