More Creativity, Injury Updates, and More from New York Giants' 13th Training Camp Practice
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In the NFL, as in life, players will have their good and bad days. But when those players are in training camp mode and are trying to impress the coaching staff of their worthiness of roster spot, it's certainly fair to wonder how coaches keep players focused on what's ahead rather than dwelling on what's behind.
So the question was put to New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who, in the preseason opener last week against the Lions, had some guys shine and some struggle. Daboll has been very good about encouraging players to forget about the past, good or bad, and said that's been the key to helping guys from overpressing.
"I think that’s what we always try to do here is to be focused on today, get better," he said. "You are going to go through a lot during an NFL season, and there hasn’t been one in 23 years that I haven’t, so you are going to have down times; you are going to have up times.
"You have to stay focused on your day-to-day improvement, and regardless of what happens the play before, the week before, you have to have a positive mindset, move on with the right approach for the next play, series, or practice. Try to eliminate any roller coaster riding that the NFL usually tries to get you in."
That, of course, can be easier said than done because, on the one hand, coaches use the experiences that come from both the good and the bad plays as teaching points. But for DAboll, who believes in transparency, it all boils down to communication.
"I try to be as transparent as I can with everybody," he said. "The goal is to be consistent, consistently improving. That’s really the goal. You are going to have, everybody is, myself more than probably anybody, is going to have a bad play, a bad decision, a bad day. You have to be laser-focused on your craft and how you do it to the highest level."
Injury Report
Offensive lineman Devery Hamilton (unknown), running back Gary Brightwell (unknown), receiver Collin Johnson (knee), offensive lineman Tyre Phillips (leg), defensive lineman Ryder Anderson (triceps), linebacker Cam Brown (unknown), and defensive back Nick McCloud (stomach) did not practice Monday.
Head coach Brian Daboll, when asked specifically about Johnson's knee injury being long-term, said, "I don’t think it’s long-term, but I’m not a doctor either. Right now, I think he is not practicing today."
Johnson is trying to come back from a season-ending Achilles tear suffered last summer.
Offensive tackle Evan Neal remains in the league protocol but was upgraded to non-contact status, meaning he did certain drills while sporting a red jersey. Neal took a few reps at his usual right tackle spot to start practice during the walk-through periods before being relieved by Matt Peart.
Interior defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who didn't practice last week, returned to work on a limited basis today.
Cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (abdominal) and punter Jamie Gillan (ankle) could practice following their respective injury scares. And tight end Tommy Sweeney was spotted getting his left hand taped, though he didn't miss any practice reps.
Lineup Notes
The starting offensive line included John Michael Schmitz at center and mostly Ben Bredeson at left guard, with Joshua Ezeudu mixed in. As previously noted, the competition at center is pretty much over. At the same time, it looks increasingly like Bredeson, the most consistent offensive lineman not named Andrew Thomas, has jumped out for the lead at left guard.
Bredeson also got some snaps at right guard for Mark Glowisnki when Ezeudu came in. Again, the purpose is to get him experience at all three interior offensive line spots in case of an injury. Such experience allows the coaching staff to be flexible with what they do if they have to shuffle the line.
Micah McFadden got his turn at ILB2 next to Bobby Okereke. Adoree' Jackso worked in the slot with Tre Hawkins getting snaps on the outside. I still don't think that's going to be the lineup they take at the start of the season, though I think we'll see instances of Hawkins playing outside, opposite of Deonte Banks, and Jackson coming down in the slot.
Cor'Dale Flott worked outside with the two's. Offensive lineman Marcus McKethan, who was activated off PUP last week, was given more reps at guard and tackle during individual drills.
And Then There Were Two
The Giants activated interior defensive lineman D.J. Davidson off the PUP list Monday. Davidson's activation leaves the Giants with just two guys--cornerback Aaron Robinson (knee) and receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (ACL) remaining on PUP.
Wan'Dale Robinson is believed to be closer to returning to action than Aaron. Last week during an appearance on the Zach Gelb Podcast, Giants general manager Joe Schoen expressed hope that the second-year receiver would be returning to action within a week or two.
Head coach Brian Daboll, however, said there is no timetable for either player, though he added that they're both making progress.
Observations
Daniel Jones got off to a hot start Monday by connecting on 11 passes during red zone drills, four of which went for touchdowns.
Jones connected with Saquon Barkley in a later red zone drill. Defenders swarmed Barkley but still somehow managed to push the pile.
Jones also had a Pick-6 on a ball that was deflected (I didn't see who) and then grabbed by safety Dane Belton. I love how Belton has been around the ball so much this summer--the Giants need more turnovers from their defensive secondary, and already we've seen a few nice ones from Jason Pinnick and Belton.
I liked how the Giants used tight end Darren Waller in red zone drills. They move guys around to different spots, but the most intriguing alignments came when Waller was sent in motion before the snap--it was anyone's guess at that point where he would end up.
Tyrod Taylor had a pass deflected and picked off by Gervarrius Owens. I think Darrian Beavers was the one who deflected it, but I couldn't tell for certain since a wall of players blocked my view.
Jashaun Corbin got a few reps in team drills today and seemed to be running with far more confidence today than I remember seeing in the first couple of weeks of camp. Corbin got a good dose of reps with the first-team offense and looked like he belonged. With Gary Brightwell injured, Corbin has a legitimate chance to make the 53-man roster if the Giants go with four running backs, which I think they will.
Cor'Dale Flott did a nice job getting into position to break up a pass to Isaiah Hodgins during second-team reps. Flott did a lot of his reps on the outside this practice rather than the slot, where he had been working mostly to start camp.
This makes one wonder if he's just getting those outside reps so that the coaches have an answer in the event of injury or if they're serious about rolling with Hawkins and Deonte Banks on the outside and Adoree Jackson in the slot regularly.
Sterling Shepard, who continues his ramp-up, put a move on rookie Tre Hawkins in one-on-one drills.
Up Next
The Giants are scheduled to hold a padded practice Tuesday. The three coordinators, plus the defensive assistant coaches, will also be available to speak with the media.
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