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ORLANDO -- As soon as the Giants' traded Jason Pierre-Paul, speculation went wild that they were planning to take his replacement with the No. 2 pick in the draft. And why not? N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb is considered the draft's best defensive player, perfect for the Giants' new-look, 3-4 defense.

That, of course, is not the reason they traded JPP. The move was about dumping a contract and a player, and their draft board didn't change after they made the move. They are set for the time being at the edge positions with Olivier Vernon and the newly-signed Kareem Martin, plus Josh Mauro when his season-opening suspension is over...

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: One year ago, Jason Pierre-Paul was considered to be a cornerstone of the Giants' future. He was given a monster, four-year, $62 million contract that included $40 million in guaranteed money and more than $22 million in the first year.

But one thing new GM Dave Gettleman has made clear is that he doesn't care what the old regime thought or was planning. He has his own ideas about how to fix the Giants. And nothing is going to get in his way.

So JPP became the latest player from the Jerry Reese regime to be dumped, as Gettleman shipped him and his onerus contract off to Tampa Bay, essentially in exchange for a third-round pick. The motivation for the deal, according to a team source, was the size of the contract and what the Giants viewed as JPP's declining production...

The Giants are trading DE Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick (102nd overall) to the Buccaneers in exchange for third-round (69th overall) and fourth-round (108th overall) picks in 2018, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed.

Giants GM Dave Gettleman called Pierre-Paul to inform him of the trade, explaining it was an offer they couldn't refuse, Pierre-Paul told Kim Jones of the NFL Network. He added that "at the end of the day, it's a business. I know that. Tell everyone at the Giants that I wish them the best."

Pierre-Paul, 29, had 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 16 games last season for the Giants. He is entering the second year of a four-year, $62 million deal that will pay him $11.25 million this season, $13.25 million in 2019, and $11.25 million in 2020...

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The Giants have shored up the depth of their defensive line rotation by agreeing to terms on a new deal with Kerry Wynn.

Wynn, a 27-year-old who's entering his fifth NFL season, will sign a one-year deal to return to the Giants, a source confirmed. He has been a solid rotational player for the Giants since they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Richmond in 2014. He's even made 10 starts in the last three years.

James Bettcher hasn't unveiled his vision for what his new Giants defense is going to look like next season. But linebacker Kareem Martin has a pretty good idea of how exciting it's going to be.

"It's going to be a relentless defense," Martin, the newest Giants linebacker, said on a conference call on Friday. "We're a heavy blitz team in the past years and he likes to get guys run up the field and I think that's what the guys are going to be really excited about, especially the guys up front.

"This could be a top defense in the NFL."

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The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions, but the world hasn't yet spun off its axis. So for now, at least, Super Bowl LIII is still scheduled to be played next year.

The Eagles, who were the worst team in the NFC East just one year ago, are clearly among the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl again. But is there any chance the Giants can pull off their worst-to-first trick, too?

The Giants new defensive coordinator, James Bettcher, brings a new dynamic to the defense with his 3-4 scheme. So where do traditional defensive ends like Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon?

Former Cardinals HC Bruce Arians, who had Bettcher on his staff, thinks Pierre-Paul and Vernon would fit perfectly into Bettcher's scheme. The Cardinals pushed to get JPP because they were convinced he could convert into a 3-4 outside linebacker based on his speed and quickness off the line. 

After Pierre-Paul signed with the Giants on a one-year deal, the Cardinals dealt for Chandler Jones, who has thrived in Bettcher's system with 28 sacks in two seasons. 

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul mocked a tweet suggesting the team's new GM Dave Gettleman should get rid of his contract.

The Twitter account, NYGDaily, made a 10-step plan for Gettleman to check off now that he is in his new position. Pierre-Paul, seeing that him leaving the Giants was on the list, posted it to Instagram saying he finds that notion comical. The post has since been deleted.

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE POST

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul revealed he has been playing with a broken finger on his right hand for the past two games, per NJ.com's James Kratch. 

It is believed Pierre-Paul, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals, broke his finger during the Week 13 matchup against the Raiders. He has worn his notorious club on his hand for the past two games. 

"I'm always planning to play, man. I'm ready to go...I'm ready to run around," Pierre-Paul said when asked about his finger. "I fractured my finger, I basically broke it."

The Giants ruled linebacker B.J. Goodson and wide receiver Tavarres King out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals due to an ankle injury and a concussion, respectively.

Goodson, 24, has appeared in just two games since Oct. 22. 

Interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo also listed safety Landon Collins (ankle), defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (finger) and safety Nat Berhe (hamstring) as questionable.

Giants S Landon Collins, who was forced to exit Sunday's loss to the Eagles due to a lingering ankle injury, missed practice again on Thursday.

LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), WR Tavarres King (concussion), and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (finger) also missed practice for a second straight day..

S Nat Berhe (hamstring), CB Brandon Dixon (heel/hamstring), T Ereck Flowers (groin), and DE Olivier Vernon (not injury related) were limited participants.

Giants S Landon Collins, who was forced to exit Sunday's loss to the Eagles due to a lingering ankle injury, missed practice on Wednesday.

LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), WR Tavarres King (concussion), and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (finger) also missed practice.

S Nat Berhe (hamstring), CB Brandon Dixon (heel/hamstring), C Brett Jones (ankle), and S Darian Thompson (knee) were limited participants.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

Landon Collins' season isn't over yet. But the end may be coming soon.

The Giants are still considering whether to shut down their star safety for the final three games after he re-injured his ankle on Sunday afternoon, according to interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo. Collins has been playing through a high ankle sprain since Week 5, and it he aggravated it on Sunday in the Giants' loss to the Cowboys.

Spagnuolo had already indicated on Monday that they might put the 23-year-old on injured reserve "to protect Landon from himself."

Giants WR Sterling Shepard and DE Jason Pierre-Paul are active for the team's matchup with the Cowboys on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

Jason Pierre-Paul suffered another injury to his already mangled right hand, but he insisted he will be ready to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

He made that declaration on Friday after practicing for the first time this week. He did not give any details about how he suffered the injury, or if was football-related. But he had the middle finger of his right hand tightly wrapped, and mostly kept it in his pocket during his interview.

Giants WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday, but was limited. 

The wideout has been battling a hamstring ailment that kept him out in the beginning of the week. 

Also, limited were RB Wayne Gallman (hip), LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), DT Damon "Snacks" Harrison (elbow), and T Chad Wheeler (concussion). 

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

THE GAME

The Giants (2-9) at the Oakland Raiders (5-6) at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4:25 p.m. ET...

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It doesn't matter who calls the plays. It doesn't matter what the run-pass balance is. It doesn't really even matter how the quarterback plays anymore.

The Giants are simply too undermanned to generate any consistency on offense anymore.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: The Giants have a very short week, but their injury list remains very long.

Five starters, and one of the replacements for the injured starters, were on the list of Giants who did not practice on Monday as the Giants began their abbreviated preparation for their Thanksgiving night game against the Redskins (4-6) in Washington. That includes two starting offensive linemen who may not play, meaning the Giants could have to reshuffle a line that is already in a constant state of flux.

Justin Pugh was already expected to miss the next few weeks, according to multiple team sources. And now, according to NJ.com, G D.J. Fluker is expected to miss the game on Thursday night, too. That probably means G Jon Halapio would be in line for his first career start, though the Giants also could turn to veteran G John Greco whom they just signed last week.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: The Giants have a very short week, but their injury list remains very long.

Five starters, and one of the replacements for the injured starters, were on the list of Giants who did not practice on Monday as the Giants began their abbreviated preparation for their Thanksgiving night game against the Redskins (4-6) in Washington. That includes two starting offensive linemen who may not play, meaning the Giants could have to reshuffle a line that is already in a constant state of flux.

Justin Pugh was already expected to miss the next few weeks, according to multiple team sources. And now, according to NJ.com, G D.J. Fluker is expected to miss the game on Thursday night, too. That probably means G Jon Halapio would be in line for his first career start, though the Giants also could turn to veteran G John Greco whom they just signed last week.

The Giants ruled offensive lineman Justin Pugh and linebacker B.J. Goodson out for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to back and ankle injuries, respectively.

New York also listed defensive tackle Damon Harrison (ankle) and linebacker Devon Kennard (quad) questionable, while linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is doubtful to play due to a groin injury.

Giants DT Damon Harrison (ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday.

CB Donte Deayon (ankle), G D.J. Fluker (knee), LB Devon Kennard (quad), LB Calvin Munson (quad), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee), and DT Dalvin Tomlinson (ankle) were also limited participants.

LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), OL Justin Pugh (back), and LB Kelvin Sheppard (groin) all missed practice for a second-straight day.

Not only did Ben McAdoo have a team meeting on Wednesday, but the Giants' defense held a players-only meeting to figure out their own problems. 

The defense has looked like a shell of itself from last season as it has consistently dropped the ball the past few weeks. They have allowed a total 82 points in the last two weeks, and after allowing over 400 yards per game this season, they are ranked 31st in total defense. 

Similar to McAdoo's meeting, effort was a main area discussed in the meeting. Every player was allowed to speak, and things were spirited in the discussions. 

LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), DT Damon Harrison (ankle), OL Justin Pugh (back), LB Kelvin Sheppard (groin) all missed Giants practice on Wednesday.

CB Donte Deayon (ankle), G D.J. Fluker (knee), LB Devon Kennard (quad), LB Calvin Munson (quad), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee), and DT Dalvin Tomlinson (ankle) were all limited participants.

Pugh will be out for the team's matchup against the Chiefs this Sunday, per NFLN's Ian Rapoport.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

THE GAME

The Giants (1-7) at the San Francisco 49ers (0-9) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 4:25 p.m. ET.

THE WEATHER

The football may stink, but the weather should be gorgeous. The forecast calls for temperatures around 70 at kickoff with mostly sunny skies and little winds. Enjoy!

WHAT IT MEANS

At this point, the dysfunctional Giants desperately need a win just to change the conversation and give them something to feel good about. It's not going to change their fate or put them into the playoff race, but maybe it'll make them less grumpy to be around. In the bigger picture, though, a loss here probably takes the Giants out of the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. It's hard to imagine the 49ers or Browns getting two wins at this point.

Giants LBs B.J. Goodson (ankle), Devon Kennard (quad), and Keenan Robinson (quad) are all listed as out for Sunday's game against the 49ers in San Francisco.

All three players missed practice on Thursday and Friday.

CB Donte Deayon (ankle) is doubtful, while  LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), LB Calvin Munson (quad), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle), and DE Kerry Wynn (knee) are questionable.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Jason Pierre-Paul missed practice on Thursday, but the team said it was not injury-related.

The defensive end was riding the stationary bike in the injury area at the start of practice on Thursday, before heading inside to work with trainers in the team's field house. It appeared that the trainers were working on his left shoulder -- which would make sense since he had a shoulder injury earlier in the season.

JPP had company on the sidelines, too. Three linebackers were also sitting out practice -- Keenan Robinson (quad), B.J. Goodson (ankle) and Devon Kennard (quad).

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: If the NFL season ended today, the Giants would be picking third in the 2018 NFL draft -- their highest pick since they took linebacker Carl Banks third way back in 1984.

But if they somehow find a way to lose to the 0-9 49ers in San Francisco this Sunday, their first shot at the No. 1 overall pick in 52 years would be in play.

What would the Giants do with that unexpected gold? Would they grab their next franchise quarterback? Take the best tackle or running back instead? Or trade down with a quarterback-starved franchise for a boat-load of high picks over the next few years?

Coming off the bye week after a dismal first half of the season, the Giants are looking to start fresh according to DE Jason Pierre-Paul.

Despite a very slim chance of making the playoffs, the Giants still have a job to do on the field with nine games still remaining on the schedule. Pierre-Paul is ready to put the 1-6 record behind him and start anew with the Rams on Sunday. 

"We're starting over fresh. We got these games to play. We're going to take it one at a time and start from there," Pierre-Paul said after practice Friday. "We're in November and we know what happens in November. Good teams fall off and bad teams come up. So, we'll see."

After a slow start to the season, Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul sparked the defense with his best performance of the season. 

It was the JPP the Giants expected to see on the field when they signed him to a four-year, $62 million this offseason. Pierre-Paul got to Broncos QB Trevor Siemian three times, and disrupted him throughout the game. He tied his career-high in sacks with his breakout performance of the 2017-2018 campaign.

Defensive end coach Pat Graham is used to seeing the intensity Pierre-Paul displayed on Sunday night. His "juice," as he calls it, is what has made him such a prolific threat off the edge. 

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul dedicated his three-sack performance on Sunday night to a 7-year-old boy battling cancer. 

Before the Giants traveled to Denver, Pierre-Paul met Hayden on a visit through The Garden of Dreams Foundation last Friday. Hayden decided to show JPP his best dance moves, and the defensive end knew exactly when he would showcase it on Sunday night. 

"You know what? If I get a sack -- which I am going to get a sack -- I'm going to do your dance," Pierre-Paul said. 

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul led the pass rush in the team's win against the Broncos on Sunday night. 

Pierre-Paul entered Week 6 with just 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble through five games. However, he turned up the intensity in Denver as he led the Giants with three sacks and eight combined tackles while notching a forced fumble as well.

Pierre-Paul's three sacks ties his career best that he put up against the Browns in Cleveland last season.  

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Well, that was unexpected.

The Giants suffered through one of their worst weeks in years, with their best player and two other receivers lost to the season with injuries, one player suspended, several other players hurt and a general sense of chaos, unhappiness and gloom hanging over the team. Going on the road to Denver against one of the NFL's best defenses seemed like an obvious recipe for disaster.

So, how to explain the scoreboard: Giants 23, Broncos 10?

Janoris Jenkins returned an interception for a touchdown, Jason Pierre-Paul recorded three of the Giants' four sacks and New York won its first game of the season with a 23-10 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

After allowing an average of 24.4 points per game through their first five losses, the Giants forced three Broncos turnovers en route to their first win. Landon Collins picked off Trevor Siemian, who briefly left the game for Brock Osweiler due to injury, Eli Apple recovered a fumble and Jenkins scored a pick-six late in the second quarter that gave New York a 17-3 halftime lead.

Eli Manning went 11-for-19 with 128 yards and a passing touchdown to tight end Evan Engram in the Giants' first game without wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard and Dwayne Harris.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: The Giants don't like change. They prefer stability and patience. They prefer to give their plans a chance to work.

But they also really don't like chaos. And that's the one thing that will truly test their patience with Ben McAdoo and could end up pushing the coach straight out the door.

That may seem crazy just 17 games into his head coaching career, but McAdoo is suddenly on very shaky ground just one year after he led the Giants back to the postseason and to an 11-5 record. His job should be in no jeopardy at all just one-third of the way through Year 2, even though the Giants are 0-5 and headed towards at least 0-7.

Ralph Vacchiano, SNY.tv

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants grasped at whatever straw they could find on Sunday. They spoke of their fight, their heart and their professionalism. Landon Collins even pointed out how the Super Bowl isn't mathematically out of the question yet.

But after losing their best player, Odell Beckham Jr., to what might be a season-ending injury, after losing 27-22 to the previously-winless Los Angeles Chargers and falling to 0-5, there was really only one thing the Giants could cling to on Sunday: the hope that this was rock bottom, that things couldn't possibly get worse.

The Giants ruled center Weston Richburg and running back Paul Perkins out for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

New York also listed defensive ends Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul and Avery Moss, and offensive guard John Jerry as questionable with various injuries.

Pierre-Paul told SNY's Taylor Rooks on Thursday that he'd be ready to go on Sunday.

Richburg has been in the league's concussion protocol, and Brett Jones is likely to be the team's starting center on Sunday, according to Inside Football's Patricia Traina, as the Giants seek their first win of the season.

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, says he's playing against the Chargers on Sunday.

"Of course I'm playing Sunday," Pierre-Paul told reporters. "No question." 

Pierre-Paul played every snap of the Giants' loss to Tampa in Week 4, with head coach Ben McAdoo saying the shoulder issue developed earlier this week.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Giants appear to be bracing for another offensive line shakeup -- and maybe one on the defensive line, too.

Three key players on those lines were missing from the 0-4 team's practice on Wednesday -- center Weston Richburg and defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul. Richburg is in the NFL's concussion protocol and it seems unlikely he'll be available for the game against the 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Vernon is dealing with ankle injury and JPP has a shoulder injury that apparently got worse over the last few days...

DE Jason Pierre-Paul is well aware of the pressure on the Giants' defense this week to rebound after allowing 193 yards on the ground in the team's crushing 27-24 loss to the Eagles.

"We know that, we definitely know that," Pierre-Paul said on Tuesday as the Giants prepared for their Week 4 game against the Buccaneers. 

The Giants returned most of their championship-caliber defense this season, but they have lacked in an area they dominated a season ago: run defense. 

In 2016, the Giants allowed just 88.6 rushing yards per game which was tied for third in the NFL. That run stopping prowess has seemed to allude this year's squad to start the season as the team allowed 193 rushing yards to the Eagles Sunday. 

Scott Thompson, SNY.tv | Twitter | : This is one sneaky stat that I didn't even notice until reading this article. But, after taking a step back, I do realize how atrocious the run defense has been to start the year.

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul views Sunday's matchup against division rival Philadelphia Eagles is a must-win. 

The Giants head into Philly with an 0-2 record after being defeated by the Lions on Monday night, 24-10, in their home opener. Pierre-Paul thinks the talent level on the team doesn't reflect an 0-3 record, which is why they need the win on Sunday. 

Scott Thompson, SNY.tv | Twitter | : Piere-Paul answered the most pressing question for the Giants heading into Sunday: This is a must-win game for this team...

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul said the potential return of WR Odell Beckham, Jr. on Monday night against the Lions could lift up the team, but that they can't rely on it to carry them.

Beckham is listed as questionable due to a high-ankle sprain.

"I feel like anybody with a special talent lifts up the whole team," Pierre-Paul said. "You can't look towards one guy to lift up a team. That's not what 'team' is. 'Team' is every guy coming together and playing together as one. We can't depend on one guy, otherwise you'll never find yourself in the same place. Odell is a special kind of player and hopefully he is able to go, but if he's not, the next guy has to step up. That's basically what it is."

Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul is ready to "destory everything" this upcoming season. 

Pierre-Paul proved that he can still play at an elite level, and the Giants rewarded him with a four-year, $62 million contract this offseason because of it. Now, he is aimed at a new goal this season: Defensive Player of the Year. 

"I have no choice but to go for that," Pierre-Paul said. "I'm the type of dudge, I'm greedy but at the same time do your job right... Everbody has goals they want to achieve. If I get that, I get thta but I'm going to play to my full capability and play to 110 percent." 

While the Super Bowl champion Giants players and coaches of 1986 and 1990 are proud of their accomplishments in New York, many of them feel like this year's defense can stand out, according to the New York Post. 

Linebacker Carl Banks, who won two titles with the Giants, said these defensive players have a chance to shine on the big stage. 

"I think they can be as dominant a defense as there can be in this era of football,'' Banks said. "I think they check all the boxes in terms of how they match up with different styles of offenses. Against a run-heavy offense, they check the box with 'Snacks' [defensive tackle Damon Harrison] and the guys up front. If it's a spread offense, they've got cornerbacks and safeties. They're a tough-minded team." 

The Giants were unable to find the endzone for a second game to open the preseason, but Eli Manning completed 10 of 14 passes and Jason Pierre-Paul intercepted a pass from Brock Osweiler in a 10-6 loss to the Browns on Monday night. 

The Giants played their starters early on, but kept losing wide receivers to injury as the game progessed. Odell Beckham left in the second quarter with an ankle injury, Brandon Marshall was sidelined with a shoulder injury, and Tavarres King suffered a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter. On the defensive side, CB Michael Hunter left the game with a concussion.

Manning threw for 80 yards, while Geno Smith entered in relief and went 11-for-17 with an interception. The Giants went 3-for-12 on third down and struggled to hold onto the football as RB Wayne Gallman and WR Sterling Shepard both fumbled.

Giants QB Eli Manning, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are listed as healthy scratches for the first preseason game against the Steelers Friday. 

Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall are not on the list, meaning they could see some time on the field. 

Among the injury-related scratches are WR Sterling Shepard, LB Keenan Robinson, and WR Tavarres King. 

Giants linebacker Devon Kennard said he hopes New York's defense can maintain its high energy a year after giving up the second fewest points in the league.

"I want to see us set the tempo from ground zero, and that's me personally," Kennard said. "If safeties and linebackers are communicating well, and we are getting the things that we need to to the D-line, from a linebacker perspective, I think it starts there. If we are doing that and being physical, I like where we are headed."

The Giants bring back a strong defensive core with a defensive line that features Jason Pierre-Paul, Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon; linebackers Kennard and Jonathan Casillas; and a secondary of Eli Apple, Janoris Jenkins, Landon Collins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. By retaining so many defenders, Kennard said the team's familiarity with the system and each other can only help moving forward.

"We already know so much about the defense, so now we can get into the little details and nuances that maybe a year or two ago we weren't able to hit the same way because there were so many guys trying to learn the defense," said Kennard, who recorded 61 combined tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while playing all 16 games last season.