As I head to my Veteran's Hospital appointments in dreary East Orange, NJ, I wanted to take a moment and focus on health.
The "who showed up" and "who didn't" and "who has personal issues" stuff has its place and its merit but the biggest thing from my perspective is that we continue to get healthy, stay healthy, and experience an overall healthy off-season as camp approaches.
I go to the VA hospital all the time for what I call "tune-ups" and its a pain and takes away from life BUT I must go and want to go cause if I don't I won't get healthy. I slept a "miracle" 8 hours or so last night and I feel great.
May the Giants be injury free, healthy and healing in all areas. Amen.
I thought I read that Hunter was taking first team reps yesterday...
but Duggan lists Valentino Blake as the first team nickel starter. That surprised me a bit. Would love to know more about how the nickel depth chart is filling out.
Also - you have to wonder if the Giants have reworked the playbook to focus less on the FB position. That we only have two UDRFA competing for that spot remains one of the bigger mysteries to me considering several NYG mentioned the lack of a FB as limiting the playbook.
Would love to hear how either of them look. I know it's early, there is no real hitting right now, and yesterday was a short practice with limited view, but I wonder if either are starting to play with speed or do they both look lost?
You're reading too much into this. People are rotated in and out, especially this early, with the first- and second-teams. Both Hunter and Blake got first-team reps yesterday. Apple is out.
Dan Duggan ✔ @DDuggan21
Apple & D. Thompson missed yesterday due to illness. Owa is excused for personal reasons. M. Thompson has been limited (undisclosed) #Giants
Dan Duggan ✔ @DDuggan21
Justin Pugh watching on the sidelines again. Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, JT Thomas and Kevin Snead working on the side. #Giants
The 2 guys with lower leg injuries (Apple and DT) are ill. I know McAdoo doesn't like to say anything and I'm glad, but how gullible does he think people are? Swine flu going around??? Maybe mad cow disease? A 2-day hangover?
Pugh - an average player. He'll get the Hankins treatment in free agency IMO. In for a rude awakening. He just doesn't have the tape to back up his talk.
dreaded "calf" injury is frustrating too. Rhett is known as an old school tough guy. Him still being out from a calf injury suffered in the S&C program, that's ugly.
You're reading too much into this. People are rotated in and out, especially this early, with the first- and second-teams. Both Hunter and Blake got first-team reps yesterday. Apple is out.
Thanks - would love to hear how the depth at CB is shaking out just the same. I just don't know much about players like Amos and it would seem there should be more to report about the secondary then any other area of the defense.
The 2 guys with lower leg injuries (Apple and DT) are ill. I know McAdoo doesn't like to say anything and I'm glad, but how gullible does he think people are? Swine flu going around??? Maybe mad cow disease? A 2-day hangover?
Apple has a hammy. Wouldn't that be an upper leg injury?
there is absolutely no point in being a "tough guy" and participating
this is how minor issues linger/get worse
Of course that's true. The flip side is that it's concerning - to say the least - that Ellison hasn't been able to do anything since injuring his calf months ago.
With Apple - hamstrings can linger. I hate even hearing that word because it's never a quick recovery. Re-aggravation seems the norm whenever you return. This seems exactly like what happened to OBJ during rookie year. This happened almost 3 weeks ago (reported May 26). Right now the narrative is "no big deal, just sitting out for precautionary reasons" and then halfway thru the season the narrative turns to "it was a tough offseason, I got the hamstring injury and wasn't able to get in a flow" etc.
Basically, it's spun to be fine (human nature) and then later is the admittance that missing time held their personal season back. This is a key time for Apple to be progressing (1st and 2nd year) and as one of our top prospects, that progress is critical to the team's talent level. He isn't making progress if he can't run, work out or practice.
With Pugh, DT and MT, it's becoming old hat. Always hurt. Let's not forget DT's shoulder injury before the foot. He wouldn't be the 1st talented player who can't stay on the field.
So you can say "nothing to see here" and whistle past the graveyard but the flipside is these injuries are concerning despite the fact they will be spun as no big deal by the PR machine. For some of these guys it's setting the table to be behind the 8-ball as their conditioning suffers.
Dumb. Very dumb. He sure as hell helped as a starter last year. D.Thompson on the other hand has shown basically nothing on the field, hopefully he can stay healthy just so we can have options.
Art Stapleton ✔ @art_stapleton
LT Ereck Flowers hobbling a bit. Didn't see what happened. May have gotten tangled up during team drills. Will keep an eye on it.
#Giants
"Another newcomer, Andrew Adams may not be a familiar name to some, considering he was undrafted out of Connecticut and has only been starting since Week 4. Since then, though, he has earned the ninth-highest grade among safeties over that span, and is doing it against both the run and pass. For the season, Adams has allowed only five of his 10 targets for 48 yards, and has been a huge part of the Giants defensive turnaround."
His luck he breaks a leg out there.. All the "Leadership" bullshit trash talk about Pugh for not practicing is a joke, its fucking May/June, OTA's/Mini-camp, we want our top guys ready and healthy in September, What's the big deal? What am I missing?
Dan Duggan ✔ @DDuggan21
Ereck Flowers on the sideline with undisclosed injury (doesn't appear serious). Chad Wheeler at LT with first-team offense. #Giants
Dumb. Very dumb. He sure as hell helped as a starter last year. D.Thompson on the other hand has shown basically nothing on the field, hopefully he can stay healthy just so we can have options.
Agree that DT needs to stay healthy.
Adams was basically a healthy body that had very poor recognition skills as he hardly ever was breaking up plays mid to downfield, and typically arrived late. And he doesn't have the speed to ball-hawk anything either. I realize the background and expectations were low last year, but that doesn't mean it was acceptable.
Maybe he will surprise me and get involved more this season, although I hope he doesn't need to play much...
Art Stapleton ✔ @art_stapleton
Flowers is still outside and does not appear to be favoring anything. Would be surprised if he goes back out there today, though.
Art Stapleton ✔ @art_stapleton
TE Matt LaCosse should put himself in bubble wrap. If he's healthy and keeps this up, he'll deserve a spot on 53.
Been that good. #Giants
Art Stapleton ✔ @art_stapleton
Wayne Gallman has flashed some today in red zone drills.
Earlier on an underneath route and just now w/ great goal line grab from Davis Webb
Art Stapleton ✔ @art_stapleton
TE Matt LaCosse should put himself in bubble wrap. If he's healthy and keeps this up, he'll deserve a spot on 53.
Been that good. #Giants
Art StapletonVerified account @art_stapleton 54s55 seconds ago
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
Jesus how stupid is everyone here? HE DOESN'T NEED OTAS, the team NEEDS him at OTAs. The team's need is greater than Odell's as to what him being here means. Read that 100 times and let it sink in you dolt. And you're oh so proud of yourself for making a point, which you didn't make, which no one ever argued for or against. Odell is great, we know that, next topic.
Art StapletonVerified account @art_stapleton 54s55 seconds ago
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
Jesus how stupid is everyone here? HE DOESN'T NEED OTAS, the team NEEDS him at OTAs. The team's need is greater than Odell's as to what him being here means. Read that 100 times and let it sink in you dolt. And you're oh so proud of yourself for making a point, which you didn't make, which no one ever argued for or against. Odell is great, we know that, next topic.
it's fun scrolling from the bottom of this thread and knowing "this is probably Joey in VA" before seeing the handle. like clockwork. I listen to the actual player comments and don't live by this rah rah "no I in team" BS you seem to cling to. I'm a dolt because I, like the people actually impacted by his decision, don't care he skipped the voluntary workout.
how will this franchise ever recover from Odell not jogging around in voluntary OTAs? It's a shame he didn't take shepard/engram under his wing or show up day 1 in phenomenal shape and make diving TD grabs.
Art StapletonVerified account @art_stapleton 54s55 seconds ago
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
Jesus how stupid is everyone here? HE DOESN'T NEED OTAS, the team NEEDS him at OTAs. The team's need is greater than Odell's as to what him being here means. Read that 100 times and let it sink in you dolt. And you're oh so proud of yourself for making a point, which you didn't make, which no one ever argued for or against. Odell is great, we know that, next topic.
Jordan Raanan ✔ @JordanRaanan
B.J. Goodson's performance this spring described as "great" by DC Steve Spagnuolo. That bodes well for him as the starting middle LB.
Tom Rock ✔ @TomRock_Newsday
DRC gave @art_stapleton a death stare when he asked if Evan Engram was as fast as he is.
LOL on the "death stare".
I just know, as competitive as these guys are, they definitely know who has run the fastest on the field of play, given the new GPS systems. Apple was talking about how he is faster this year than last and he knew it for sure because of the GPS.
Sometimes I wish there was a way to see those numbers. Would be really interesting.
Pretty sure I wouldn't want to face Flowers in the ring...
I know its not September but the Free Safety position needs some help if team cannot count on DT...
The "who showed up" and "who didn't" and "who has personal issues" stuff has its place and its merit but the biggest thing from my perspective is that we continue to get healthy, stay healthy, and experience an overall healthy off-season as camp approaches.
I go to the VA hospital all the time for what I call "tune-ups" and its a pain and takes away from life BUT I must go and want to go cause if I don't I won't get healthy. I slept a "miracle" 8 hours or so last night and I feel great.
May the Giants be injury free, healthy and healing in all areas. Amen.
Also - you have to wonder if the Giants have reworked the playbook to focus less on the FB position. That we only have two UDRFA competing for that spot remains one of the bigger mysteries to me considering several NYG mentioned the lack of a FB as limiting the playbook.
Would love to hear how either of them look. I know it's early, there is no real hitting right now, and yesterday was a short practice with limited view, but I wonder if either are starting to play with speed or do they both look lost?
I know its not September but the Free Safety position needs some help if team cannot count on DT...
Adams was just fine. he's still here.
What specifically do you want me to watch at minicamp? #Giants
Keep an eye out for any job openings that don't involve covering the Giants.
I keed! I keed!
Justin Pugh remains on the sideline today. #Giants
Apple & D. Thompson missed yesterday due to illness. Owa is excused for personal reasons. M. Thompson has been limited (undisclosed) #Giants
Not spotted at the start of #Giants practice: Eli Apple, Darian Thompson, Mykkele Thompson and Owa Odighizuwa.
Justin Pugh watching on the sidelines again. Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, JT Thomas and Kevin Snead working on the side. #Giants
Eric Pinkins not with the CBs during position drills so yesterday's cameo may have been just that. #Giants
Pinkins with safeties. He hasn't been a LB since midway through last season but they haven't updated the roster
UDFA Jarron Jones is still with the O-line. Getting a long look on offense for a player who came in as a DT. #Giants
Pugh - an average player. He'll get the Hankins treatment in free agency IMO. In for a rude awakening. He just doesn't have the tape to back up his talk.
Thanks - would love to hear how the depth at CB is shaking out just the same. I just don't know much about players like Amos and it would seem there should be more to report about the secondary then any other area of the defense.
UDFA Jarron Jones is still with the O-line. Getting a long look on offense for a player who came in as a DT. #Giants
James KratchVerified account @JamesKratch 46s47 seconds ago
DaShaun Amos picks off Geno Smith in 7-on-7s. #Giants
An early takeaway for the defense! DaShaun Amos leaps for the interception! #NYGiants 🏈
Apple has a hammy. Wouldn't that be an upper leg injury?
Mykkele Thompson is now out here but he isn't participating #Giants
Some things never change.
this is how minor issues linger/get worse
UDFA WR Jerome Lane gingerly heading off with training staff. Appears to be left foot issue. #Giants
TOUCHDOWN! Eli to @OBJ_3 who makes a sliding catch in the corner of the end zone! #NYGiants 🎯
There's Odell. Nice TD grab with arms outstretched, pass from Eli.
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
Jerome Lane is back. #Giants
The #Giants' defense is getting a "pass rush" on the offense that would be a problem if this was real football.
#Giants getting tricky. Had Flowers and Hart split wide, shotgun snap to Eli who ran a read option. Don't think we'll see that one this fall
The #Giants' defense is getting a "pass rush" on the offense that would be a problem if this was real football.
this is how minor issues linger/get worse
Of course that's true. The flip side is that it's concerning - to say the least - that Ellison hasn't been able to do anything since injuring his calf months ago.
With Apple - hamstrings can linger. I hate even hearing that word because it's never a quick recovery. Re-aggravation seems the norm whenever you return. This seems exactly like what happened to OBJ during rookie year. This happened almost 3 weeks ago (reported May 26). Right now the narrative is "no big deal, just sitting out for precautionary reasons" and then halfway thru the season the narrative turns to "it was a tough offseason, I got the hamstring injury and wasn't able to get in a flow" etc.
Basically, it's spun to be fine (human nature) and then later is the admittance that missing time held their personal season back. This is a key time for Apple to be progressing (1st and 2nd year) and as one of our top prospects, that progress is critical to the team's talent level. He isn't making progress if he can't run, work out or practice.
With Pugh, DT and MT, it's becoming old hat. Always hurt. Let's not forget DT's shoulder injury before the foot. He wouldn't be the 1st talented player who can't stay on the field.
So you can say "nothing to see here" and whistle past the graveyard but the flipside is these injuries are concerning despite the fact they will be spun as no big deal by the PR machine. For some of these guys it's setting the table to be behind the 8-ball as their conditioning suffers.
Dumb. Very dumb. He sure as hell helped as a starter last year. D.Thompson on the other hand has shown basically nothing on the field, hopefully he can stay healthy just so we can have options.
LT Ereck Flowers hobbling a bit. Didn't see what happened. May have gotten tangled up during team drills. Will keep an eye on it.
#Giants
McAdoo and Odell having a long chat during TV timeout at practice. Probably about haircare products.
"Another newcomer, Andrew Adams may not be a familiar name to some, considering he was undrafted out of Connecticut and has only been starting since Week 4. Since then, though, he has earned the ninth-highest grade among safeties over that span, and is doing it against both the run and pass. For the season, Adams has allowed only five of his 10 targets for 48 yards, and has been a huge part of the Giants defensive turnaround."
Yeah, he's useless.
Eli ➡️ @BMarshall for a one-handed red zone touchdown!!! #NYGiants 🎯
LT Ereck Flowers has been replaced by Chad Wheeler. Flowers is talking to a trainer.
Eli ➡️ @BMarshall for a one-handed red zone touchdown!!! #NYGiants 🎯
Great, now we have 2 WRs that like to catch one-handed!
Jackrabbit busts up passes for Odell and Adams on goal line 7on7 drills. Then Marshall makes 1-handed grab in corner over Blake.
OL D.J. Fluker just ran off writhing in pain while holding his right elbow. #Giants
I instantly started thinking SB run after he was signed ... he's going to be a significant upgrade @ WR from Cruz - especially in the redzone.
OL D.J. Fluker just ran off writhing in pain while holding his right elbow. #Giants
Our already sketchy T situation is taking a beating today.
Art Stapleton Retweeted Art Stapleton
Fluker now heading inside with training staff. Walking in his own, but really not moving his right arm much.
Ereck Flowers on the sideline with undisclosed injury (doesn't appear serious). Chad Wheeler at LT with first-team offense. #Giants
Quote:
as a Starter. Fine as a backup resource...
Dumb. Very dumb. He sure as hell helped as a starter last year. D.Thompson on the other hand has shown basically nothing on the field, hopefully he can stay healthy just so we can have options.
Agree that DT needs to stay healthy.
Adams was basically a healthy body that had very poor recognition skills as he hardly ever was breaking up plays mid to downfield, and typically arrived late. And he doesn't have the speed to ball-hawk anything either. I realize the background and expectations were low last year, but that doesn't mean it was acceptable.
Maybe he will surprise me and get involved more this season, although I hope he doesn't need to play much...
Flowers is still outside and does not appear to be favoring anything. Would be surprised if he goes back out there today, though.
TE Matt LaCosse should put himself in bubble wrap. If he's healthy and keeps this up, he'll deserve a spot on 53.
Been that good. #Giants
Wayne Gallman has flashed some today in red zone drills.
Earlier on an underneath route and just now w/ great goal line grab from Davis Webb
UDFA Shane Smith getting a lot of reps at FB with the first offense. #Giants doing a lot of goal line work today.
Fluker has been getting reps there now, but is likely going to backup across the line.
TE Matt LaCosse should put himself in bubble wrap. If he's healthy and keeps this up, he'll deserve a spot on 53.
Been that good. #Giants
THE LEGEND!
Practice over. Ereck Flowers is clearly laboring a bit as he walks in. #Giants
New York GiantsVerified account @Giants 2m2 minutes ago
DC Spags: @B_Good_Son has been great. He's really taken this thing on. It's important to him and he takes it serious. #NYGiants
Spags says Michael Hunter stepped up big and stood out in Spring #Giants
Ereck Flowers on the sideline with undisclosed injury (doesn't appear serious).
Chad Wheeler at LT with first-team offense.
#Giants
Flowers = Wally Pipp?
/KIDDING!!! KIDDING!! (or am I?)
Mike Sullivan says Ereck Flowers was sore. No update on D.J. Fluker
#Giants
Quote:
Art StapletonVerified account @art_stapleton 54s55 seconds ago
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
✔
@Giants
OC Sullivan: @BMarshall is such a dynamic player...to me his team-first attitude is what stands out. #NYGiants
Special teams coach Tom Quinn is impressed with rookie WR Travis Rudolph.
Mike Sullivan said rookie TE Evan Engram was sore today and held out.
STC Tom Quinn says Travis Rudolph has impressed with his chances as a punt returner
Obviously something like that helps in his quest for 53
Quote:
In comment 13499691 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Art StapletonVerified account @art_stapleton 54s55 seconds ago
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
Jesus how stupid is everyone here? HE DOESN'T NEED OTAS, the team NEEDS him at OTAs. The team's need is greater than Odell's as to what him being here means. Read that 100 times and let it sink in you dolt. And you're oh so proud of yourself for making a point, which you didn't make, which no one ever argued for or against. Odell is great, we know that, next topic.
it's fun scrolling from the bottom of this thread and knowing "this is probably Joey in VA" before seeing the handle. like clockwork. I listen to the actual player comments and don't live by this rah rah "no I in team" BS you seem to cling to. I'm a dolt because I, like the people actually impacted by his decision, don't care he skipped the voluntary workout.
how will this franchise ever recover from Odell not jogging around in voluntary OTAs? It's a shame he didn't take shepard/engram under his wing or show up day 1 in phenomenal shape and make diving TD grabs.
have a lovely day Joey. It's gonna be okay.
Collins played at 215 pounds last season, wants to try to get to 210 this season. Said he's 218-20 now. #Giants
"I looked at a lot of stuff this offseason I need to work on...I want to recognize plays way faster." - @TheHumble_21
DRC said he had a thigh bruise in the playoff game. Cold weather exacerbated it. He couldn't lift his leg. #Giants
UDFA Shane Smith getting a lot of reps at FB with the first offense. #Giants doing a lot of goal line work today.
Thanks for this, Dan. I will now stop bugging you with FB questions.
But don't get cocky.
Justin Pugh says he has "a little tweak in my back." That's why he's not practicing in this mini-camp.
He must have patted himself a little too hard there.
Quote:
In comment 13499691 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Art StapletonVerified account @art_stapleton 54s55 seconds ago
Vintage @OBJ_3 with sliding TD catch in corner of end zone from Eli Manning in red zone drill.
Nothing CB Valentino Blake could do. #Giants
why he doesn't need voluntary OTAs: Exhibit A.
Jesus how stupid is everyone here? HE DOESN'T NEED OTAS, the team NEEDS him at OTAs. The team's need is greater than Odell's as to what him being here means. Read that 100 times and let it sink in you dolt. And you're oh so proud of yourself for making a point, which you didn't make, which no one ever argued for or against. Odell is great, we know that, next topic.
Get some help. JFC.
Justin Pugh on Ereck Flowers: "He's worked his butt off."
Paul Schwartz @NYPost_Schwartz
Pugh said Flowers added boxing to his off-season regiment.
DRC gave @art_stapleton a death stare when he asked if Evan Engram was as fast as he is.
My unofficial QB stats from today (7-7 + 11-11): Eli 12/21; Johnson 10/15; Geno 4/6, INT; Webb 10/14. #Giants
B.J. Goodson's performance this spring described as "great" by DC Steve Spagnuolo. That bodes well for him as the starting middle LB.
DRC gave @art_stapleton a death stare when he asked if Evan Engram was as fast as he is.
LOL on the "death stare".
I just know, as competitive as these guys are, they definitely know who has run the fastest on the field of play, given the new GPS systems. Apple was talking about how he is faster this year than last and he knew it for sure because of the GPS.
Sometimes I wish there was a way to see those numbers. Would be really interesting.