Giants’ Leonard Williams still motivated by Michael Strahan reunion.
There are so many reasons the Giants won Super Bowls after the 2007 and 2011 seasons and for much of the last decade they have been a terrible team. Not being able to replicate and replace his previously dreaded passing rush is near the top of the list for reasons.
The player who started it all in the past two championships, Michael Strahan, will have his No. 92 retired at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Eagles at MetLife Stadium. It will be a moment to reflect on what was and what, sadly, is now.
“I know he had a 22-sack year, which is a record,” said Leonard Williams, currently the Giants’ best defensive lineman. “I know I had number 92, because when I first got there, I wanted to get 92 and I couldn’t get it. However, I am proud of the 99.
“He’s obviously a legend on and off the field, and I think that’s what makes him such a guy, it’s what he’s done off the field as well. This past offseason I was actually in Denver for a financial seminar where I’m trying to figure out what to do outside of football, what to do with your money, and he was one of the speakers that were there, on his private jet. FaceTiming with us.
It was a bit of motivation for everyone, you know? For example, we want to be on a FaceTiming private jet one day, so what can we do after football? I think that’s what people love about Michael Strahan, he’s such a good person. One of his most important messages to us was just yourself. Don’t fake it. People will know if you are faking it and it will be yourself. ”
It’s not looking good for rookie WR Kadarius Toney this week. He did not practice Thursday and was out with a quadriceps injury after not working on Wednesday. The Giants will have a longer practice Friday, and if Tony can’t get on the field, he won’t have a chance to play the Eagles.
It also appears that TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle) will not recover in time to play Sunday. Rudolph hurt his ankle last week on his only catch of the game, a 28-yard gain at Tampa. … Special team Nate Ebner was placed on the injured reserve. … WR Sterling Shepard (quad) did not practice and will miss his fourth game in a row.
The Giants did not play on Thanksgiving but suffered a loss nonetheless. They own the Bears’ 2022 first-round draft pick and that pick fell from No. 7 to No. 8 when the Bears kicked a field goal in the final second to beat the Lions 16-14.