Eric Herman was activated this week and will get an opportunity to showcase his skills to the Giants and the NFL, as will several of his teammates trying to climb the depth chart.

EAST RUTHERFORD: While NFL teams in Green Bay, Boston, Denver, Indianapolis and Philadelphia are playing football games to determine a playoff spot or improve their seeding, players on teams like the Giants, Titans, Jets and Jacksonville are competing to keep jobs.

In some cases players are actually getting a chance to audition, if not with the team they are currently with, then for teams who might be scouting these games.

The game between the Giants and Titans (FOX 1 p.m. ET) will not be flexed for prime time.

Combined the two teams have just five wins.

But there is plenty of competition and drama within this game and the remaining four games if you know what to look for.

In the case with the Giants there is a ton of opportunity given that over a third of the roster is out for the year on injured reserve.

James Davidson, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound rookie out of UTEP, will be getting a serious look starting this weekend. His future in the NFL may be on the line. Any of you have thoughts or doubts on the level of this young man’s focus?

“These next four games for somebody like me for example, it means everything,” Davidson said after Giants practice Thursday. “This is a time where we are decimated by injuries and the chance for somebody like me, an undrafted rookie free agent, to show what you’ve got, show the league what you have and show the Giants you can get the job done. Yes it means everything to me.”

Players in this situation must accept that, except for family, friends and your high school coach, no one gives a damn about you and your future, only that their teams has struggled this year.
“It’s motivating for me, I love the Giants fans,” Davidson said. “I love New York fans. But if there were no fans I would not need motivation. I’ve worked my entire life for this; I’ve been dying to get a chance. This is it for me. “

Davidson said it is impossible to not see how the Eagles were rebuilt in less than two years by head coach Chip Kelly.

Only a handful of players are left from Big Blue’s Super Bowl run and the team is building a new roster. Davidson wants to be part of the Giants plans, and want to show that over the next month.

“Philadelphia is growing youth, built depth, now look at them,” Davidson said. “Those guys are talking about Super Bowls and all that stuff. I think we can do something like that here. We can really make a statement. We’ve got a lot of young guys that I think can make a real impact and help this franchise.
“I don’t want to just overstate this, but I mean it. I want to build a dynasty. I want to be where we were, winning Super Bowls…at least be a contender, I want the Giants to be in the conversation. “

Chandler Fenner, 24, is a cornerback out of Holy Cross now in third season in the league (previous two in Seattle DNP). He has been active for seven games this season, notching four tackles.

Chandler Fenner giants.com

“I think that every game is a big game,” Fenner said. “Everyone in this locker room feels that way. We don’t overlook any game. Every week is another week to improve as a team and as an individual. You’re looking at these next couple of weeks as an opportunity to improve, an opportunity to compete. It may not be a ‘big time’ game or a marque game but it is an opportunity to improve, everybody is trying to get their film out there, everybody is trying to improve, everybody is trying to compete and get better. They do that not just as an individual… ‘this is what I have to do for me’ …but how I can contribute to the team and that is what we are trying to do. We’re trying to get a victory; we’re all trying to get a win.”

Eric Herman, 25, a 6-4, 320 pounder out of Ohio University, now in his second year after being drafted in the seventh round in 2013. Herman spent the first 15 weeks in 2013 on the Giants practice squad and was signed to the roster for the season finale against Washington but was inactive.

Herman went through training camp again this season and ended up back on the practice squad again. With season-ending injuries to guards Geoff Schwartz and Adam Snyder, Herman was signed off the practice squad this week.

Herman, a confident player who keeps things loose in his corner of the locker room, said he does not look at this as an end-all situation for him.

“I wouldn’t say drama, it’s a great opportunity more than anything,” Herman said. “(I am happy) to just being able to play if I am lucky enough to do that, show my skills and try my best to show them I can play. “

Like Davidson, Herman has deep big-blue blood flowing through his veins. “I love it here,” he said when asked about this as an opportunity to be seen by other teams.

Herman is also ware of the revolving door the Giants offensive line has been for the last two seasons. He is following one of the great runs by an offensive that included David Diehl, Shaun O’Hara and Chris Snee.

“There is always opportunity,” Herman said. “I knew going in that this (practice squad duty) was how it was going to go. I just try and stay as sharp as I can, get reps visually and mentally instead of physically so I can fill that void if I am needed. “

Herman was asked about the difference between practice as a practice squad player and guy on the active roster.
“Of course there are going to be little changes,” Herman said. “Learning to play with the active guys, getting my timing right, learning to know each other that are playing next to you. That’s the one thing you have to adjust to. Anywhere being an offensive lineman. “

Herman was asked if he was going to try and make some noise to get on the field.

“The number one goal is always to win,” Herman said. “Sometimes you can’t really be selfish, that’s just my mentality. I’ll do anything I can to help better the team, that’s just how I’ve always been raised. As far as my situation, I play the game because I love the game and to win. “