I had the opportunity to attend training camp today as a "VIP guest" and thought I would share a few notes/anecdotes:
- I've attended camp for many years and this is probably the deepest/most talent QB group the Giants have had in preseason for a long-time. Eli looks extremely sharp in practice, his arm is still very strong, and he seamlessly makes the right reads and beautiful throws - the question is whether he can still do it consistently in a game while the bullets are flying, which we'll know soon enough. Jones looks great. I really wouldn't worry about when he becomes the starter whether it's mid-season, end of the season, or in 2020 (that has more to do with how Eli and the team is playing) but just be excited that the Giants drafted this kid and he'll be the future QB. He throws a beautifully tight spiral with incredible ball-placement. He missed wide open receiver for a TD but made up for it with a picture perfect fade in the end-zone to TJ Jones.
- While the offensive line seems set in terms of the starting 5, the rest remains a big question mark re: how many guys they'll carry and which ones will make the final roster. Pulley seems to be the only lock, but Nick Gates and Chris Slade were both getting reps at left and right tackle, respectively, which tells me the Giants are looking for versatility. Wheeler seems to have fallen in the depth chart and was not getting many reps with the first or second team. Evan Brown seems to be working exclusively at guard (not center)
- The wide receivers are an interesting group that I don't think is getting enough credit. They may lack a "star", but the talent and depth is there. Behind Sterling Shephard and Tate are solid veterans in Fowler, Latimer, Russell Shephard, and TJ Jones (who can all get the job done) but #80 Alex Wesley caught my eye - he's a long-shot but a smooth route-runner who gets open and shows good hands. I sat with Darius Slayton's father who was wearing Giants polo, cap, and shoes and excited to watch his son's first practice, although was a bit nervous about his son's uphill battle to make the team (I reassured him that few of the receivers have the top-end speed that his son has and as long as he stays healthy, he has a very good shot at being on the 53).
- I paid close attention to the goaline scrimmage today. The first team defensive unit consisted of Carter, Hill, Lawrence, Tomlinson, McIntosh and Martin along the front, with Davis and Connelly,Thomas, Bethea, and Peppers. They stuffed Barkley on one play and BJ Hill got in Barkley's face after and was chriping a bit, which seemd to get to Barkley who then through the ball in Hill's face and the two had to be separated. Far from a "fight" but good to see some spirited competition
- I noticed Eli Penny and Kenny Ladler were the last two on the practice field working on some technique together. Penny is a really underrated player who is an asset to this team. He's more than just a blocking fullback, but a guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield and on screens.
- Don't count out Nate Stupar to make the team again. Aside from being a special teams standout, he's very vocal and flies around the practice field making plays (even if just with the 2nd team). He also has a big fan in Bettchner.
- At the end of practice, I had a nice heartfelt conversation with Jake Carlock, who was playing with two little kids on the field (presumably his cousins or nephews). I told him it was a hell of a job by him going out there and making a couple big plays the other night. He said the pick-6 was great but seemed almost proud of the sack. For those that don't know this, Carlock is not only from the area (grew up in Babylon and played college ball at LIU) but has been a HUGE Giants fan his whole life. I told him "The whole Giant fanbase is pulling for you, not just because you're a local guy and an underdog story, but because you're one of us", which brought out a big smile from him.
I envy your opportunity and thank you again for sharing your report.
I'd bet that's some kind of experimental or hypothetical "first team" line up that never sees the light of day in a real game, since it begs a pass play be called and it doesn't have a whiff of a pass rushing edge rusher about it besides Carter.
Neither Golden nor Ximines, no CBs?
I doubt that was a "real" line-up.
I hope McIntosh isn't going to be counted on as a starter. What little I've seen from him, I'm not impressed.
And your note about Stupar as both backup and special teams ace furthers the thought Goodson may not make it. Davis seems like he’s locking down the money backer spot, and really helps if your backup LBs are big special teams guys.
Nice to hear you have reinforced the reports that Eli is having a good camp.
I recently listened to two podcasts, “Giants Insider” and “Locked on Giants” that expressed frustration about Eli s only pass of the game, stating it was another check down while a receiver, Rhett Ellison, was open down field.
They weren’t making a big deal about 1 pass, but mentioned it in the context of this being a reoccurring theme last season.
I would be curious if posters here that go to games believe this to be a problem.
As a fan that wanted Eli to get this season, I am beginning to wonder just how good Jones might be, and how much of a drop off there would be were he the starter
If the answer is there would be minimal difference from Eli to him, then the only real legitimate reason for Eli to be on this roster would be because he s Eli, and he s earned the right, hard to argue with that.
But I get the impression that if Jones continues to show the Giants he is ready, the leash on Eli might be shorter than I assumed it would be.
Funny, I want Eli to play and play well, but at the same time I m anxious to see Jones, it s a conundrum 😄
Again thanks for a great report
Same thing that will happen to almost every other team if they have to dip into their O-line “depth”...
Unlikely you can get him onto the PS. Too well known and too much physical ability to clear waivers.
Because of general rawness and now lost practice time, there are probably a minimum of 6+ WRs who can contribute more to winning in 2019.
Prediction: He is on final roster as last WR. This will not be earned as we understand that word. Will probably be inactive until injuries push him up.
Expect AW and/or RW to be on PS. As long as they do not make a fantastic impression, there is a good chance that they can clear waivers to go on PS.
Reading about him...I can recall a conversation I had in the Spring about some of the backup O-Linemen (but I can't recall with whom I had it), where I was, um, less than complimentary towards them (I used the term "eesh" to describe Slade and a few others). I thought they'd look horrible against the Jets, but they surprised me with how good they pass-blocked.
-has observations (not just opinion rants)
-is a grammatical pleasure to read by BBI standards
-good job sir, you have my thanks
Relying on the media to give us reports sucks. they are just trying to get clicks for the most part. Many are biased one way or another and the content is just uninspired crap.
Thanks for taking the time.
Probably something like this
I recently listened to two podcasts, “Giants Insider” and “Locked on Giants” that expressed frustration about Eli s only pass of the game, stating it was another check down while a receiver, Rhett Ellison, was open down field.
Likely clickbait. I distinctly got the impression the Giants wanted just to make Eli give the ball to Gallman for a quick drive.
I hope Carlock, Penny and Stupar find their way on the 53.
Guys on the outisde looking in are going to be Perkins, Wheeler and BJ Boodson.
Quote:
What do giants shoes look like?
Probably something like this
I have a pair of Giants sneakers. Haters lol
On the GIdiefor thread I asked who besides Slayton has a potential high ceiling in the WR logjam, and it might be Wesley.