Loading ...And so it begins. After an offseason filled with arrests, mall controversies, ESPY awards, book deals, and Tiki Barber news, the defending Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Football Giants have finally made their way up to Albany for the start of training camp. Although the team has only had one day of actually playing football, there were several story lines that played out in practice that deserve significant attention.
Without further adieu, here is everything you need to know from Day 1.
- Cornerback Terrell Thomas started on the first-team defense. However, he left the field shortly after the beginning of practice due to tightness in his back. Although many expected 2011 first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara to step into his place, Michael Coe ran with the first team defense for the remainder of practice. Prince was relegated to third team duties, where he made a nice interception on a deep pass from David Carr intended for Rueben Randle.
- RB Ahmad Bradshaw and TE Martellus Bennett did not practice due to lingering injuries.
- In Bradshaw's absence, D.J. Ware and Andre Brown were the next in line for snaps. 2012 first-round draft pick David Wilson ran with the third-team.
- Although he is on the PUP, WR Hakeem Nicks was seen jogging along the sideline at times during practice.
- The Giants' worked on special teams for a significant portion of practice. The team split punt returning duties between Domenik Hixon, Victor Cruz, Jerrel Jernigan, Jayron Hosley, Rueben Randle, and Brandon Collins.
- As always, Ramses Barden looked great throughout Day 1. He made an acrobatic catch on a David Carr pass with rookie CB Jayron Hosley draped all over him. It should be interesting to see if he keeps it up.
- The crowd broke out the first "Cruuuuuz" chant of the year when the second-year phenom made an improbable catch over the middle of the field. Cruz looked extremely quick and decisive for the first day of camp.
- Staying with the wide receiver theme, Domenik Hixon lined up opposite of Victor Cruz with the first-team offense. Rueben Randle and Ramses Barden ran with the second-team.
- As expected, Chase Blackburn ran with the first-team defense as the starting MLB. Mathias Kiwanuka and Michael Boley (who intercepted Eli Manning for the first pick of camp) accompanied him to round out the starting linebacker core. Jacquian Williams, Mark Herzlich, and Keith Rivers ran with the second-unit, while Greg Jones, Jake Muasau, and Spencer Paysinger were the third-string linebackers.
- Lastly, although we do not have an official measurement, DT Linval Joseph looked lighter and quicker than he was last season. He could be a candidate to have a major break-out year.
As you can see, it was an eventful day up in Albany. The highlight of the practice was definitely when Terrell Thomas left the field with back issues. This had many coaches, players, and fans alike all collectively holding their breath. However, after practice, head coach Tom Coughlin said that the injury was nothing serious. While we shouldn't get too worried about Thomas' durability yet, this is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Other than that, it seems as if at least initially, the coaching staff is going not going to hand out favorable spots on the depth chart just because a player was a first round pick, or is a lock to make the team. A perfect example of that is Andre Brown getting reps ahead of David Wilson. While Wilson is a lock to make the team and Brown is far from it, the coaching staff is sending a message to its youngsters right off the bat. Stay tuned to Giants 101 for further updates regarding training camp.
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Loving the early reports on Landfill and completely agree, Paul, that he’s headed for a breakout year.
He was well on his way to establishing himself as an unstoppable force by the end of last year when he was basically playing on one foot.
Now the foot is healed and he is reportedly lighter and quicker. I’m going to stand by my earlier pronouncement that he will soon be ranked among the top DTs in all of the NFL.
Dude’s a stud.
FWIW, here’s Mike G’s notes from today’s practice.
Some highlights that were not touched upon by Paul…
I wrote in the spring about LB Mark Herzlich’s coverage skills and they were on display again today. On one play, he was right with rookie TE Adrien Robinson on a post up the seam, forcing Carr to take a check-down pass. A few snaps later, he was right on TE Ryan Purvis’ hip on a similar route.
Among the more energetic players today was DE Justin Trattou, who clearly looked to be eager to make an impression right away. Trattou was quick off the edge and hustling down plays from behind. He also maintained the edge on an end around to WR Jerrel Jernigan and his teammates appreciated the effort there.
And this one’s for Krow…
LB Jake Muasau had an interception off a deflected pass that bounced off WR David Douglas’ hands. Muasau made the diving catch and got up for the return, but a squealing Fewell wanted him to return it all the way.
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/07/giants_terrell_thomas_leaves_f.html
Don’t doubt the Samoan. He’s got that tribal juju going on.
K… I was there too today … and Paul summed it up nicely. I have a few observations to add …
Punting … when it came down to actually fielding a kicked ball the 3 were Jernigan, Hixon, and Randle. Hixon seems to have his old job back. He ran well and without any issues. JJ caught every punt cleanly.
More punting … Weatherford was practicing corner kicks… of the 30-40 I watched all but 2 were to his right.
Barden is motivated. He looks fired up … as befitting a man who’s down to his last bullet. Still, good to see.
Wilson is amazingly quick and fast. He’s effortless. Seems to be in a different gear than the rest.
Biggest ‘out of the tunnel’ cheer was for Chase Blackburn who is clearly the ‘people’s champion’.
Jerseys … Manning is #1, Cruz and Nicks seem to come in tied for second … after that it’s … Osi.
Ruben Randle made a one-handed catch on a back-shoulder throw that got applause from the knowledgeable crowd. This kid is big … and seems to have hands.
Rivers … played on the weak outside. Like all Giants LBs he’s fast and not that big. I can see Boley sliding to the middle … sorry Chase. Kiwi blitzed a lot … a lot.
Thanks, Krow.
The more sets of eyes making observations out there, the better it is for the rest of us. Good stuff.
It’s waaaay early I know, but it sure is looking as if Greg Jones has an uphill battle to make the team. He didn’t exactly distinguish himself in the middle last year and with encouraging early reports on Herzlich and the Samoan, it sounds as if there won’t be many opportunities for him to show otherwise this preseason. And with all the OLB types who seem to have a lock on spot already (Boley, Kiwi, Jacquian, Rivers) I don’t see any way in for Jones there, either.
Seems his only realistic shot at a roster spot is via attrition.
I’d say Jones is facing an uphill battle … and that’s being optimistic. He needs to be a ST’s demon to stick.
I think it’s Jones, Paysinger and Muasau for the last LB roster spot. Sintim’s only chance at this point is being placed on PUP and some geting injured during the first 2 months of the season.
How many LBs did they carry last year… was it 7 or 8?
Assuming that they carry the same number this season… and that Boley, Kiwi, Williams, Chase, Rivers, Herzlich are all locks, then that either leaves one or two spots for Muasau, Paysinger, Jones, and Sintim.
I’d think that being the only legit option at MLB in that group gives the Samoan a slight edge. The last spot (if they carry 8) will likely be determined by special teams play.
Hmmmm … what else.
Cruz looked great. Right back into it. My fitness/distraction concerns vanish in about 10 minutes.
Kuhn … has the look of a strange dude. Not saying this is a bad thing mind you. Just that he seems like a character.
DeOssie … actually showed signs of leadership … he’s more than just a snapper … I suspect he plays a big role in the specials preparation.
Brewer seemed huge. No idea what the plans are for him, but he’s a large human being.
We’re lucky to have Carr … cause Perrilloux stinks.
I forgot to write that Perrilloux did not look good. It obviously still early, but I think Perrilloux is in for another season of being cut and resigned 5252659235359 times.
… and … lots of turnover drills. DBs and LBs catching the ball … LBs and DLs stripping it.
Osi started … JPP second unit. Not that it matters.
Oh … Shaun Rogers … I’d say he was slow and out of shape, but he’s a mountain of a guy so it’s hard to tell. He was clearly not very mobile.
This is why Amukamara playing 3rd string is a non story. I’ve seen Fewell mix it up a lot in camp in the past. As effusive I am in praise of Osi, he’s not starting over JPP.
Speaking of Kuhn… was he practicing or just milling around on the sidelines?
I had not heard if he’d finally obtained his work visa.
He was practicing …. apparently his stay at Gitmo was a short one.
Nice practice report. From Krow and Paul.
Guys – I love the insight from those who watched practice today, keep it coming! It’s really the best reporting for those of us starving for Giants news through this hot summer. As FF55 always says, i place 100 times more credibility and importance on what guys like Krow, Norm, Dirt, etc have to say about the Giants preseason than any clown reporting from ESPN. I love it, thank you, but don’t you guys work?
government haha
Aahhh… what I wouldn’t have given to have been there today… to see Muasau haul in his first pick of the preseason… and then to hear Krow lead the crowd in a spirited chant of “M-V-P! M-V-P!”
As soon as I saw the Ohm’s tweet today regarding the Muasau pick I knew it would serve as a milepost in the making of his legend. Onward.
HEY GUYS< How's Da'rel Scott look? Mike G. said he thinks he will have a breakout year?
On giants101, I don't hear his name at all, what's up?
Thanks, CT.