Logan Ryan voted Giants' George Young Good Guy Award winner
Each season, the members of the Professional Football Writers of America from each team vote on one player to be that chapter's winner of the George Young Good Guy Award.
The award is given to a player for his qualities and outstanding cooperation in helping the beat reporters who regularly cover the team do their jobs.
This season, the Giants' chapter of the PFWA voted veteran defensive back Logan Ryan as the team's representative for the George Young Good Guy Award. Ryan received 14 of 16 first-place votes.
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams finished second, while linebacker Blake Martinez finished third in the voting.
Ryan, a New Jersey native, joined the Giants on a one-year deal just before the season kicked off and quickly became one of the vocal leaders in the locker room. Through 15 games, Ryan has registered 91 total tackles (66 solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, four quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and nine passes defensed.
The Giants gifted Ryan with a three-year contract extension on Christmas Day, keeping the veteran in his home state through at least the 2023 season. He was also named the Giants' nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award this season.
"It means everything to me," Ryan said. "We recently played in Seattle, I've been to London to play football, I've played in almost every state where there's an NFL team. To come back home, I didn't always think it was possible. To be financially secure and to give all those Jersey kids that are in high school like I was 10, 12 years ago an example to strive and to work like I was late nights and early mornings to become a New York Giant and make that all come true. It lets all those kids know what they accomplish if they work hard and put their minds to it.
"I'm the true fact of a kid born and raised in Jersey, to come on home and make his career be complete by coming back and being a part of a great team here like the New York Giants."
Ryan is just the third Giants player to win the award in his first season with the team, joining Kurt Warner (2004) and Rashad Jennings (2014).
The full list of of the Giants' previous winners of the George Young Good Guy Award include:
Lomas Brown Jr. (2001), Kerry Collins (2002), Ike Hilliard (2003), Kurt Warner (2004), Tiki Barber (2005), Plaxico Burress (2006), Justin Tuck (2007), Eli Manning (2008), Mathias Kiwanuka (2009), Barry Cofield (2010), Victor Cruz (2011), Antrel Rolle (2012), Terrell Thomas (2013), Rashad Jennings (2014), Prince Amukamara (2015), Victor Cruz (2016), Landon Collins (2017), Sterling Shepard (2018), Evan Engram (2019).
The PFWA also crowns one player annually as the Good Guy Award winner on a league level, an honor that has been presented each season since 2005. Tiki Barber was the first Giant to be honored with the award back in 2006, but more recently, Eli Manning took home the award back at the start of 2020.
The award was named in honor of the Giants' highly-successful general manager from 1979-97. The five-time NFL Executive of the Year was announced as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2020.
Check out must-see photos of Giants defensive back Logan Ryan's time with the Giants.
Daniel Jones (8), Logan Ryan (23), Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) talks to his team mates before a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) signs autographs following a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 29, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
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New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) celebrates his defense on fourth down with teammates during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) breaks up a pass during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) plays against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. The Giants play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 27. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants free safety Logan Ryan (23) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tries to escape the grasp of defensive back Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Logan Ryan (23), Julian Love (20)
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Logan Ryan (23), Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) breaks up a pass during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Tae Crowder (48), Leonard Williams (99), Niko Lalos (57), Isaac Yiadom (27), Madre Harper (45), Austin Johnson (98), Dexter Lawrence (97), B.J. Hill (95), Cam Brown (47), Xavier McKinney (29), , Jabaal Sheard (91), Logan Ryan (23), Dalvin Tomlinson (94)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday Oct.18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on October 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Logan Ryan (23), Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) causes a fumble by Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) reacts during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) celebrates an interception during an NFL game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, MD. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan (23) celebrates with teammates after the Giants forced a turnover on downs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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Logan Ryan (23), Jabrill Peppers (21)
New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan is pictured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Tae Crowder (48), Logan Ryan (23)
New York Giants free safety Logan Ryan (23) in action during an NFL football game Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) and free safety Logan Ryan (23) play the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) reacts after sacking Washington Football Team quarterback Kyle Allen (8) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants free safety Logan Ryan (23) warms-up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan, left, tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tyler Johnson during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23)in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) in action during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Logan Ryan (23), Blake Martinez (54), James Bradberry (24)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) runs off the field before an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Giants 37-34. (Cooper Neill via AP)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Xavier McKinney (29), Logan Ryan (23), Keion Crossen (31)
Xavier McKinney (29), Logan Ryan (23), Keion Crossen (31)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during the National Anthem before a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Week 17 NFL playoff picture & scenarios for Giants
The chance for a division title is on the line when the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in the regular-season finale at MetLife Stadium.
Big Blue can clinch its first NFC East championship since 2011 with a win over Dallas (1 p.m. ET kickoff) and a Washington loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night. With the Eagles already eliminated, the NFC East will continue its streak of producing no repeat champions since Philadelphia won four in a row from 2001-04.
Joe Judge keeps Giants' focus on Dallas Cowboys
The Giants were riding their train on the way home from Baltimore yesterday evening when they learned the results of the late afternoon games involving NFC East teams that left them with an opportunity to win the division title on the final weekend of the regular season.
But Joe Judge would prefer his players not think about the possibility of playing in the postseason but instead concentrate on their Week 17 opponents, the Dallas Cowboys.
It's the same approach the first-year coach has taken all year.
"I actually met with the team last night when we got back to make sure we were set on what the plan for the week was," Judge said on a Zoom call today. "Our focus still needs to remain on the Cowboys. That's the priority this week. We remain focused on improving as a team. We have a division rival coming up ahead, it's a big game for us. Obviously, there are implications. As I've said all along, those games right now don't exist. Until I can talk about any kind of opponent coming up beyond who we're playing, there's not a conversation to be had. Our focus remains on the Cowboys."
Dallas has won three consecutive games to improve to 6-9. On Oct. 11, the Cowboys defeated the Giants in AT&T Stadium, 37-34, on Greg Zuerlein's 34-yard field goal as time expired. Dallas has won the last seven games between the teams.
The Giants are alive in the division race despite a three-game losing streak that has dropped their record to 5-10. The winner of their game against Dallas in MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday must then wait for the result of the Washington Football Team vs. Eagles game that night in Philadelphia. A Washington victory will give it the division crown at 7-9. Should Dallas win and Washington lose, the Cowboys will stand alone at 7-9 and the Giants will finish third at 5-11. But if the Giants and the Eagles – who are eliminated - each win, all three contenders will be 6-10. The Giants would claim the championship based on their 3-1 head-to-head record vs. Dallas and Washington.
Yesterday, the Giants lost to the Ravens in the 1 o'clock window, 27-13. Dallas and Washington each played late in the afternoon, giving Judge and the Giants an opportunity to monitor their games as they returned to New Jersey. The Cowboys crushed the Eagles, 37-17, while Washington lost to the Carolina Panthers, 20-13.
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