12 Giants are not expected to play tonight according to the team: CB Terrell Thomas (knee), RB Da’Rel Scott (quad), LB Jake Muasau (hamstring), LB Jaquian Williams (hip), LB Michael Boley (hamstring), LT Will Beatty (back), DE Justin Trattou (ankle), DT Rocky Bernard (knee), TE Travis Beckum (knee), LB Clint Sintim (knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot) and DT Chris Canty (knee).

About the only surprise on this list is,and it’s not good for him, is Da’Rel Scott.  Scott wanted to be healthy this year and show what he is capable of doing, he misses his first chance tonight.

As you would imagine, Tom Coughlin is just as disciplined about how the Giants approach pre-season games as he is about everything else in his life.  The “starters” will play 15-18 plays.

“The objective is always to win, but it’s all about personnel,” Coughlin said. “We’ll play them just exactly the way that I’ve talked about it. I will not sacrifice that part of it. Hopefully, we’re good enough and deep enough that the guys will get in the game and respond and enjoy themselves. I want them to play hard and give us a chance to do some evaluating and trying to figure out how people fit.”

The season opener is less than four weeks away and this is the first step in building the roster, evaluating talent, and seeing who might step up and grab everyones attention.  Look for everyone to get a chance to show what they can do.  There are many players who will need to show something special this year.  The depth of this team is tremendous, and they will surely have to release some players that will be starters on other teams.  The competition should be good , and the opportunities plentiful.  Look for the execution from the regulars in the first part of the game, then sit back and enjoy the competition and the athleticism of the players.

Week One: In Jacksonville TBA

Week Two: At Jets TBA

Week Three:  Friday August 24th vs Chicago on CBS

Week Four: Wednesday August 29th vs New England

Ross was a speedster coming out of college and had a lot of promise and upside.  Unfortunately while horsing around after practice in ’09 Ross tore a hamstring and played in only 4 games that year.  He has never been the same since.  When challenged by the coaching staff to step up and prove he deserved to start, he had some big games, and in the Super Bowl run of ’07 he constantly played hurt and made big plays.  This year, again he had some nice games when under scrutiny and in the biggest game of the year, but overall was inconsistent, and seemed to need to be prodded to play well.

We wish Aaron luck in Jacksonville, and thank him for his contributions to two Super Bowl victories