49ers DT Justin Smith has played 14 NFL season. He will play against the Giants this Sunday.

EAST RUTHERFORD: Ask any offensive lineman in the NFL and he will tell you there are no breaks in the schedule for them. Every week is a challenge, every week there is a different star to challenge them to rush the ball or keep their quarterback upright.

Every once in a while though, there is matchup that stands out among a schedule of standouts and is a measuring stick for yourself as a pro lineman..

Giants blockers, especially the younger ones, are all looking forward to playing against the San Francisco 49ers and their perennial all-star defensive lineman Justin Smith this Sunday (1:00 PM, fox).

Smith has played in all nine games this season recording 26 tackles and three sacks.

For his career Smith has recorded 863 tackles (602 solo), 85.0 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, and 10 fumble recoveries.

Rookie guard Weston Richburg said he has watched film and knows he will be challenged as much as any time this season.

“He’s on my side every time that I’ve seen (on film),” Richburg said. “So I’ve got to be prepared for him, he’s a great player. They’ve got Aldon Smith back so it’s going to be a challenge. But I think every week in the NFL it’s a challenge. That’s something I figured that out real quick. This week it’s really important. We’ve got to be really physical with the guy; we’ve got to match that intensity. We have to take it to the next level if we want to be to do thing against these guys. So I think physicality to the big thing this week.”

Richburg said he was been watching Justin Smith since he was a youth.

“He’s been in the league since I was like nine years old,” Richburg said. “Now I get the pleasure of playing against him. A guy who has been in the league that long is smart. He’s going to know what’s going on. He plays every play with heart. For a guy who has been in for 14 years I think and still plays with a motor like that, it’s impressive. He’s definitely done it the right way the entire time he’s been in.

“I’ve been really blessed with those kids of opportunities this year,” Richburg said referring to the great defensive linemen he has faced his first NFL season. “The first three games we played the Lions (DT Ndamukong Suh) first game, (Arizona’s) Calais Campbell the second game then and (Houston’s) JJ Watt the third. Now I get to play against Justin Smith. It’s the best of the best.”

Giants center J.D. Walton said he was also looking for forward to facing Smith. Walton, like most other players and observers marvel at his motor that still runs at a high level.

“That’s what he’s known for,” said Walton, a five-year veteran. “For 14 years, you’ve got to be doing something right. He’s a great player and there is a reason he has played for so long. He never quits…he’s a try-hard guy.”

Big Blue’s offense will get much needed charge as running back Rashad Jennings is scheduled to play against the 49ers.
Jennings was the leading rusher for the Giant when he hurt his knee over a month ago, he still is.

Jennings has missed the last four games with a sprained MCL in his left knee, but he has been optimistic with the progress he’s making from the injury.

Jennings had 396 yards rushing on 91 carries and two touchdowns (4.4
yards per carry). His replacement Andre Williams has rushed 114 times for 335 yards and four touchdowns.

“I’m definitely encouraged,” Jennings said this week. “Every day it’s been getting better. Every single day I’m getting back to being me. I’m just taking it day-by-day. I’m feeling good.”

There were some mixed reviews over Jennings return and not in a bad way.

Richburg is a rookie guard. This week art practice he said his focus was solely on who is in front of him, not behind him.

“The only thing I really can control is what we do up front,” Richburg said. “Whoever is back there we’ve just got to control what we can control up front and whoever is back there will control what they can control. If you start worrying about other people’s stuff, you’re not giving 100 percent to your task.”

Veteran tackle Will Beatty – out of York, PA – said he was happy to see No. 23 back at practice and cleared to play.

“Having him come back, having him healthy just seeing him practice all week with the enthusiasm he brings to the backfield, it’s a lift for the O-line,” Beatty said. “Early in the season we blocked for him, we saw what he can do. We hope he can back here and do the same thing.”

Walton shared Beatty’s optimism over Jennings return.

“It’d be nice to have No. 23 back there running the ball,” Walton said. “It’s not bad having a veteran back there.”

The Giants – at 3-6 on the season have their work cut out for them if they want to get back in the hunt. Walton said that the team is still all in.

“We’re not in the tank at all,” Walton said. “We’ll come out on Sunday, have a great game, but our butt and do everything right to get the victory. It’s no going to come easy, we know thatin this locker room and we understand that.”