Pro Football Focus names Dexter Lawrence top rookie interior d-lineman
Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence enjoyed a promising rookie campaign. The No. 17 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft started all 16 games for Big Blue last season, finishing the year with 38 tackles (24 solo), 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one pass defended. His performance earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team.
Ten defensive players were selected before the Giants took Lawrence, yet according to Pro Football Focus, only one defensive rookie had more games with an overall grade of 80+ in 2019 than the Giants' rookie defensive lineman.
Not only was he the 11th defensive player selected in the 2019 draft, but he was also the fourth defensive tackle taken. The Jets selected Quinnen Williams with the third overall pick, the Bills took Ed Oliver with the ninth pick and the Dolphins nabbed Christian Wilkins, Lawrence's teammate at Clemson, at No. 14. In a talented class of rookie defensive tackles, which includes the previously mentioned players along with fellow first round picks Jeffery Simmons (Titans, 19th overall pick) and Jerry Tillery (Chargers, 29th pick), Lawrence finished with the highest overall grade of any rookie at the position.
View photos of defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence's career with the Giants.
Giants move closer to returning to Quest Diagnostics Training Center on limited basis
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced Tuesday morning that professional sports teams in the state may return to training and even competition "if their leagues choose to move in that direction."
Governor Murphy added that his office has been engaged in constant discussion with teams about necessary protocols to protect the health and safety of players, coaches and personnel.
For the Giants, it is a step closer to reopening on a limited basis the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, located in East Rutherford, N.J. The team's facility has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Per the NFL criteria that Commissioner Roger Goodell sent to teams on May 15, clubs are allowed to reopen provided they do so under "governing state and local regulations, are in compliance with additional public health requirements in their jurisdiction, and have implemented the protocols" put in place by the league to ensure the safety of all employees.
Under the current phase, the NFL is limiting personnel at team facilities. Coaches and most players are not permitted to return at this point. The only players allowed in team facilities are those who are rehabbing under the direction of the team's athletic training staff.
The Giants released the following statement on Tuesday:
"Governor Murphy and his administration continue to guide New Jerseyans through this very difficult time. We have been in close contact with Governor Murphy's staff to comply with the state's protocols throughout. With today's announcement by the governor, we are finalizing our plans to reopen the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. We will continue to have as many employees as possible working remotely. For employees who need to return to work at our facility, we expect to begin that process next week, and we will do so in a systematic and safe way that adheres to the state's guidelines and NFL protocols."
On Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that professional sports leagues can begin training in his state.
Giants team up with New York Blood Center to host blood drive at Metlife Stadium
The New York Giants, New York Jets and MetLife Stadium are partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a blood drive on Thursday, May 28th. The drive will take place in the United Rentals Club at MetLife Stadium from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Donors are required to schedule appointments in advance in order to maintain social distancing. New York Blood Center hopes to collect 300 units of blood from participating donors, enough to treat 1,000 patients in need.
The region's blood supply is currently at dangerously low levels as communities begin to reopen. Before COVID-19, mobile blood drives hosted by schools, organizations, and businesses made up around 75% of the region's incoming blood supply, but all drives had to be cancelled during the past several months. New York Blood Center recently began hosting a limited number of drives again, however they are far from the number of drives per month needed at area hospitals.
"The blood supply is vital to treating patients and our overall healthcare system. These donors will help replenish the blood supply and save lives at a critical time," said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director Recruitment and Marketing. "Thank you to the New York Giants, New York Jets and MetLife Stadium for hosting a blood drive at this critical time and ensuring that the blood supply will soon become stable."
Donating blood is safe and it only takes one hour. We are taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they're experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms. Additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions is available here.
The drive will take place from 12pm – 8pm on Thursday, May 28th at MetLife Stadium (One MetLife Stadium Drive), East Rutherford, NJ. Donors should park in Lot A and enter at the Bud Light Gate. The blood drive will be held on the 4th floor in the United Rentals Club.
Donations are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visiting www.nybc.org/metlife.
About New York Blood Center: Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the world. NYBC, along with its operating divisions Community Blood Center of Kansas City, Missouri (CBC), Innovative Blood Resources (IBR), Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), and Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC), collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and serve local communities of more than 75 million people in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT), Mid Atlantic area (PA, DE, MD, VA), Missouri and Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Southern New England. NYBC and its operating divisions also provide a wide array of transfusion-related medical services to over 500 hospitals nationally, including Comprehensive Cell Solutions, the National Center for Blood Group Genomics, the National Cord Blood Program, and the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, which — among other milestones — developed a practical screening method for hepatitis B as well as a safe, effective and affordable vaccine, and a patented solvent detergent plasma process innovating blood-purification technology worldwide.