Safety Tyler Sash
A sixth round draft pick out of Iowa, Sash's first NFL snap was a forgettable one as he was beaten by Panthers tight end Greg Olsen for a touchdown. However, Sash kept a short memory and went on to record a team-high four tackles while forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass in his debut. Sash is second on the Giants with 13 tackles in three preseason games, including six against the Jets. With 13 interceptions as a Hawkeye (five shy of the school record), Sash is still looking for his first pick in a Giants uniform.
Linebacker Mark Herzlich
The highlight of Herzlich's preseason came in the closing minutes of the victory over the Chicago Bears when he intercepted a pass from Caleb Hanie near the Giants' goal line. Herzlich ran off the field after the play, but cornerback Michael Coe made sure his teammate kept the ball from his first NFL interception. As rookies embark on a series of many "firsts," Herzlich checked off two on one play in his NFL debut, forcing a fumble on his first tackle against the Panthers. Herzlich followed up with three tackles the next week and has five total in the preseason.
Linebacker Greg Jones
Mild-mannered off the field, Jones is perhaps the most boisterous of the rookies while on the field. Jones, a sixth round pick from Michigan State, has been vocal during practices. He brought that energy to the special teams unit against the Bears when he blocked a punt and nearly returned it for a touchdown. Jones has six total tackles, including four in that game against Chicago.
Linebacker Spencer Paysinger
One of four rookie linebackers brought into camp, the Oregon product not only made his NFL debut this preseason, but it was also his first professional game he had attended. He recorded two tackles in the first week, which was followed up by a day of practice with the first team because of a sidelined Michael Boley. Paysinger said it was surreal because he used to watch film of Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck back in high school and college. Now he wears the same uniform as them and even leads the team with 14 tackles, including eight against the Bears.
