Now batting second for the Giants is Ryan Nassib – in the preseason finale.

Coach Tom Coughlin said today that Nassib, the rookie from Syracuse, will follow Eli Manning in the quarterback rotation when the Giants conclude their preseason schedule Thursday night in New England.

The fourth-round draft choice did not play last week against the Jets. He was the third quarterback in each of the first two games.

"I'm definitely going to have to be ready to go a lot sooner as opposed to the last two, three games," Nassib said. "My goals, going in…planning on executing, getting the ball out fast and trying to put some points on the board."

In his two earlier stints, Nassib completed three of 10 passes for 77 yards and was sacked four times while playing with teammates who are battling to make the final roster or are no longer here. He should get a better gauge of his progress playing with the second team.

"I've been with them in practice," Nassib said, "so I definitely have a little bit better feel with those guys than with some of the newer guys I've been in with in the past. I'm anxious and ready to get out there."

Coughlin said he hopes to play all four of the team's quarterbacks vs. the Patriots, including veteran backups David Carr and Curtis Painter. Nassib has had several impressive practices since training camp opened a month ago, but the Giants hope his appearance on Thursday is his last game action of the season. If he plays in the regular season, it likely means the quarterbacks ahead of him are injured.

"It is kind of weird to think about," Nassib said. "It's just the way the situation is. I'm cool with it. I just have to make sure I take these reps as seriously as possible because they might be my only reps for some time. We'll see.

"I definitely think I've progressed as camp has gone on, definitely got a better feel for the system and how to operate. Definitely nowhere near perfect, still have room to improve but every day is a learning experience and every day you have to get better."

He'll have a big opportunity to do that Thursday in New England.

QUICK HITS

*One day after coming off the physically unable to perform list, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul participated in some team work with the second defensive unit.

"(He had the) trainers' permission," Coughlin said. "He jumped in there and did a couple of good things."

*Rookie defensive end Damontre Moore again participated in individual drills, but not team work. Coughlin does not know Moore will play against the Patriots.

*Coughlin said center David Baas is "working hard and he feels a little bit better each day." Baas has a sprained MCL in his left knee. Coughlin would not say if he thinks Baas will miss any regular-season games.

*Rookie safety Cooper Taylor, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury, should make his preseason debut in New England.

"He's running around out here doing a lot of stuff," Coughlin said. "I'm pleased with that."

*Wide receiver Louis Murphy left practice because his "contact lens got stuck," Coughlin said.

*The annual Champions for Children Gala to benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 at Cipriani on 42nd Street in Manhattan. The honorees will be Giants president John Mara and Frank J. Bisignano, the chief executive officer of First Data Corporation. Giants fans are invited to help the Jay Fund help kids with cancer and their families. For more information, call 212-627-1000 or go to tcjayfund.org.