Double O hopeful to debut this week.

[Treehugger]

EAST RUTHEFORD, N.J. – Owa Odighizuwa is hopeful this is the week he becomes the last active member of the Giants’ 2015 draft class to play in a regular-season game.

Odighizuwa, the defensive end from UCLA selected in the third round, missed the first three games with a foot injury. But he has practiced this week and believes he will be in uniform when the Giants visit the Bills Sunday in Buffalo.

“Those past three weeks, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play,” Odighizuwa said today. “They were trying to get me back right, get healthy and things like that. It’s different this week, actually practicing, finishing every rep, and everything like that pain free. I’m very excited about how I’m progressing and where I’m going.”

So is defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who is eager to see his rookie end on the field.

“The first thing (he can give us) is a set of fresh legs, because, really, when you watch him out at practice, there’s a difference,” Spagnuolo said. “He hasn’t been out there, he’s well-rested. But we’re going to have to live with some growing pains. We can see that already in practice, because he’s not up to speed with some of the things we’ve been doing since he’s been out. He’s got some juice, I think he’s a strong edge player, I think he can play tight ends well. So I hope that helps us in the run defense and certainly when we get to a throwing down, some of those third downs, I’m hopeful, we’re all hopeful, that he can bring something to the pass rush.”

The Giants can use someone with Odighizuwa’s skill set. They have three sacks in three games, two by defensive linemen – Robert Ayers and Cullen Jenkins. Odighizuwa had 6.0 sacks in his final collegiate season and 12.5 in his career. He didn’t have one in the preseason, but he played with great energy and demonstrated an ability to pressure the passer.

 

“I just have to be complete,” Odighizuwa said. “Whatever situation they put me in, I have to play at a high level and I have to go in there and produce. That’s my goal, personally. When I step on the field, I want to be productive for this team and what they need me to do, so whatever it is. If it’s pass rush situations, run situations, I really want to be effective and make plays for the team.”

 

Odighizuwa is the only eligible player from this year’s draft class that hasn’t had an opportunity to do that. First- and second-round choices Ereck Flowers and Landon Collins are starting at left tackle and free safety, respectively. Geremy Davis, the wide receiver selected in the sixth round, has one catch and has played on special teams. Offensive lineman Bobby Hart, an offensive lineman, debuted last week vs. Washington on special teams. Fifth-round choice Mykkele Thompson, the safety from Texas, is on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles tendon in the preseason opener.



Odighizuwa believes this will be the week he finally gets a taste of regular-season action and an opportunity to put an opposing quarterback on the ground.

“If the coaches put me out there to get after the quarterback, I’m confident that I can get it done,” he said. “We just have to keep playing. Stats aren’t always the most telling thing, I’m sure you guys have heard from some of our guys. But at the end of the day, it’s what we want to do. We want to get after the quarterback, we want to get sacks, we want to get pressures, hits on the quarterback, and so if I’m fortunate enough to be in those situations, then I’m going to do everything I can to make those things happen.”

[Treehugger]

Also of note: Spags is pretty familiar with Tyrod Taylor, having coached Baltimore's D against him for two years.

[Mr. P]

Nice.

[Treehugger]

Also: I think we need to start calling Unai' Unga "Double U", or just "W".

[Treehugger]

Four other Giants players did not practice today, including two who did yesterday, Robert Ayers (hamstring) and defensive tackle Markus Kuhn (knee). Tight ends Daniel Fells (ankle) and Jerome Cunningham (knee) also sat out, but Tom Coughlin said again he believes Fells will be ready to face the Bills.

Flowers (ankle) was limited. Odighizuwa, running back Orleans Darkwa (knee) and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (concussion) practiced fully.

[ppodlesny]

they are still waiting on Demontre Moore to turn into something ... what a bust that kid has been

[BlueInCanada]

Nice to finally have the chance to see George on the field.

[Gman329]

they are still waiting on Demontre Moore to turn into something ... what a bust that kid has been

 

No, no, he's great! It's just that Coughlin favors inferior veterans and won't play the young kids! At least, that's the word around here....

[NightFire]

they are still waiting on Demontre Moore to turn into something ... what a bust that kid has been

 

The problem is that he's a liability. Every 5 plays he makes a penalty.

[JayD]

Personally I like Diggy as his nic name.

[BleedinBlue]

I'm anxious to see him in a real NFL game. I was screaming at the TV on draft day praying that no one would draft him ahead of us and when we were on the clock, I was screaming like a Banshee Indian for the Giants to grab him. I really thought he would be gone in the late 1st rd or early 2nd. In fact, when I saw that the Giants had traded up in the 2nd, I really thought it was to get him. I was happy they took Collins, but a little disappointed because I thought O-diggy was the best player left on the board and there was no way he'd still be there in the 3rd.

 

Now I want to see if my pre-formed opinion of him was right all along.