EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Coming into this season, the New York Giants have $30 million in cap space invested in their starting defensive line.Based solely on sacks five games into the season, the return is going to be disastrous.The Giants (2-3) have an NFL-low four sacks and only two have been by the linemen heading into Sundays game at MetLife Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens (3-2).Olivier Vernon ($13 million against the cap) and fellow defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul ($9.4 million) have one sack apiece. Tackles Damon Harrison ($6.6 million) and Johnathan Hankins ($1.3 million) have been shut out.The lack of a rush was never more evident than Sunday night, when Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sometimes had as many as five seconds to stand and throw. He was not sacked and hurried only three times.The only time he was really knocked down was when Vernon shoved him to the ground while cornerback Janoris Jenkins returned an interception. Of course, Vernon drew a 15-yard penalty for the illegal hit.Vernon, who was signed to a five-year, $85 million contract, didnt have much to say about the lack of a pass rush. Most of his answers were 10 words or fewer and noted the need to play better.It is the beginning of the season, Vernon said when asked if he was frustrated.The former Miami Dolphin has been bothered by a wrist injury since the second week of the season but refused to address it Thursday.Pierre-Paul, who like Vernon has rarely left the field this season, returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday following a groin injury. He said he will play Sunday.Pierre-Paul, who missed half of last season after mangling his right hand in a fireworks accident on July 4, isnt concerned about the sack total either. He said the defenders have been close and just need to finish plays.To me, its not even about sacks, to tell you the truth, he said. Yes, its nice to have, but in reality, when you look at the games, weve been close. We just have to finish with the sack numbers.Our defense has been playing pretty well. We just have to get there and finish. Im not talking about the D-line, Im talking about as a group. Tackle better. We have done a poor job tackling. Thats every guy on the team, including myself. We just have to get better.Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said sacks can be great, but he is more interested in limiting opponents on rushing on first and second down and cutting down on opponents big plays.I will say this: Would we like to have more? Spagnuolo said of the sacks. Yes. Would we like to have more pressure on the quarterback? Yes. I do think that there are moments in there where we are hitting and getting pressure on the quarterback that dont show up on a stat sheet. But we need more.The Giants practiced in shoulder pads on Thursday just to work on their tackling.The tackling problem has resulted in the defense failing to get off the field many times. It is ranked 30th in third-down defense.The lack of a pass rush, the third-down defense, poor tackling and little help from the offense in recent weeks has the Giants riding a three-game losing streak. It also has many fans thinking about a fifth straight season missing the playoffs.Theres no uh-oh, Pierre-Paul said. You know how it is. We started, what, 0-6 (2014)? We still had a chance to go to the playoffs. Its still early. The seasons just started. Were going on six. Its early. Anything can happen. Then we have this bye week after this London game. Were just focusing on this game now, but we have a lot of room for improvement.Game notes Return specialist Dwayne Harris (toe) did not practice Thursday, joining CB Eli Apple (hamstring), OT Marshall Newhouse (calf), and SS Nat Berhe (concussion) and Darian Thompson (foot). ... TE Larry Donnell returned to practice after missing last week with a concussion.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Larry Johnson Super Bowl Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Eric Fisher Super Bowl Jersey . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Kendall-fuller-chiefs-jersey/ . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Dorian ODaniel Super Bowl Jersey . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Xavier Williams Super Bowl Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers waived quarterback Zach Mettenberger as part of the teams efforts to get down to 75 players by the 4 p.m. ET deadline Tuesday.The move was one of several announced by the Chargers on Tuesday. San Diego received a roster exemption for first-round pick?Joey Bosa, who just signed on Monday, so the Chargers roster is at 76?players.Mettenberger had been outplayed by undrafted rookie Mike Bercovici during training camp, and he did not play in the past two preseason games for the Chargers.The Chargers claimed Mettenberger off waivers after the Tennessee Titans released him in May. A sixth-round selection in the 2014 draft, Mettenberger finished 0-10 as a starter in Tennessee.Mettenberger had a relationship with Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whiseenhunt from his time as the Titans head coach.dddddddddddd Whisenhunt had a hand in selecting the LSU product.Mettenberger, 25, was brought in to compete for the No. 2 quarterback job with Kellen Clemens, but that competition never really materialized.The Chargers were enamored with Mettenbergers physical tools -- hes 6-5 and 225 pounds -- but it did not translate to production on the field.In his only preseason action, Mettenberger completed 2 of 8 passes for 22 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception against Tennessee. He also was sacked twice.The Chargers now have three quarterbacks on the roster: starter Philip Rivers, Clemens and Bercovici. ' ' '