A complete WR corps among with RB and TE and maybe even OL?! Four really good players in the defensive front 7. Sure, some questions in the defensive backfield but some possible answers as well. No guarantees but at least a fighting chance. Been a while since that has been true.
A complete WR corps among with RB and TE and maybe even OL?! Four really good players in the defensive front 7. Sure, some questions in the defensive backfield but some possible answers as well. No guarantees but at least a fighting chance. Been a while since that has been true.
It'll be interesting to see if this is the year all this young talent pops. I don't get the "years away" stuff. Schoen and Daboll have been building for 3 offseasons now. Let's see if it pops.
I agree. And we're entering into Year 3 now. We're still very young, but still --there's been significant portions of the roster turned over, coaching staff, FO, scouting department, etc. If we don't see signs of that after this year, then you start to get concerned.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers notched one touchdown, likely two if it were a live game. The no-doubter was on a scramble drill by Tommy DeVito during 11-on-11 drills in the red zone, where last year's undrafted quarterback eventually found this year's sixth overall pick in the back of the end zone.
Earlier in practice, Daniel Jones kicked off 7-on-7 red zone drills with a completion to Nabers. The receiver took it up the sideline, but because no contact is allowed, he veered out of bounds at the goal line with a defender in pursuit. Whether or not he got in can be adjudicated in the locker room or during a film session. They can all agree, however, that during a live game, the competitive Nabers would be on the board for six.
Drew Lock threw a handful of touchdowns during team periods, including a pair to rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. He threw two more to wide receiver Miles Boykin on back-to-back plays and one apiece to Gunner Olszewski (more on him next) and tight end Tyree Jackson after looking off a defender.
Olszewski, a midseason addition who recorded the second-longest punt return in Giants history and the longest in 95 years in Week 17, reminded people that he is officially listed as a wide receiver with another touchdown from Nathan Rourke.
Claimed earlier this month off waivers from the Patriots, Rourke has not played in a regular-season NFL game, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder did set the Canadian Football League record with a 78.7 completion percentage in 2022 as he earned the league's award for Most Outstanding Canadian. The newcomer also threw touchdowns during Tuesday's "development" period to Boykin, Chase Cota, and John Jiles, who showed his vertical leap on a highlight grab in the end zone.
Second-year wide receiver Jalin Hyatt caught a touchdown from DeVito.
Running backs Devin Singletary and Eric Gray each scored on the ground, but again, they can debate it in the locker room.
Takeaways
Defensive back Jalen Mills had the lone interception, which came on a tip drill in the final period. A Super Bowl LII champion with the Eagles, the veteran Mills signed with the Giants in March as a free agent. He has made 83 career starts in 106 regular-season games.
Other Notable Plays
Second-year cornerback Deonte Banks broke up a pass in the end zone to start 11-on-11 drills. He forced another incompletion later in practice.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns forced a throwaway. Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau also caused an incompletion in 7-on-7 drills.
Cornerback Nick McCloud sniffed out a swing pass and would have made a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage.
* During the individual practice period I made a beeline over to the outside linebackers group, where new coach Charlie Bullen was putting his players through drills. There was a big focus on hand placement and winning with the correct inside/outside arm, depending on alignment. The drills stressed the importance of the edge players getting their hands inside, which allows them to control the chest of the offensive lineman and win the leverage battle.
* Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns were working with each other in these drills, and it is amazing seeing how similar their body types are when they stand next to each other. Thibodeaux is a little thicker in the upper body, which is probably why he is listed at 258, while Burns is at 250.
* I then made my way over to the offensive linemen, who were working together on combo blocks in the run game. The drills featured two players, either a center and guard or guard and tackle, working together to block two defenders. One defender was on the first level with the second playing a linebacker/second-level role. The defenders would present different movements, which forced the offensive linemen to work together in different ways to get both players blocked. It trained the mental part of the game for the offensive linemen to know how to pass off one player to each other, and the physical chemistry necessary to execute it on the field.
* Later in practice, Devin Singletary joined the offensive line group and they worked together on how to pick up different blitzes. There's a lot of teaching going on from both the mental and physical parts of the position with the offensive line group right now.
* The team portion of practice featured all red zone work, with most of it coming inside the 10-yard line. The defense started strong with a pass break-up by Deonte Banks. The offense did score two touchdowns in the first team period, with Tommy DeVito finding Malik Nabers in the back of the end zone after scrambling to buy time in the backfield. Undrafted rookie free agent Nathan Rourke also connected with veteran wide receiver Miles Boykin on a shovel pass while he ran forward in the pocket but before he passed the line of scrimmage.
* The offense heated up later in practice and started getting the ball in the end zone more consistently. Olszewski was extremely active as a receiver, catching a pair of touchdown passes. He is enjoying his chance to compete at wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt scored a touchdown crossing along the back line on a throw from DeVito. Tight end Tyree Jackson was left open in the end zone for a short touchdown catch, while Boykin caught back-to-back touchdowns from Drew Lock at the end of the team practice.
* Rookie Tyone Tracy Jr. got involved in the passing game and caught two balls, one in the flat and another over the middle that could have gone for touchdowns.
* The defense made some plays in the final couple of team periods. Bobby Okereke and Ryder Anderson combined for what could have been a sack. Tre Hawkins III knocked a ball away in the end zone.
* Practices end with a developmental period for the young players, and Rourke made the most of it. He hit John Jiles near the front pylon, who made an amazing grab for a touchdown. Two plays later he connected with wide receiver Chase Cota for a touchdown.
* The defense came up with a takeaway with Jalen Mills successfully executing a tip drill to come down with an interception.
Malik Nabers clockin' in for Day 2 ⏰
https://x.com/Giants/status/1792935576817029469 - ( New Window )
Brian Burns content 😮💨
https://x.com/Giants/status/1792940915788750964 - ( New Window )
😀
It'll be interesting to see if this is the year all this young talent pops. I don't get the "years away" stuff. Schoen and Daboll have been building for 3 offseasons now. Let's see if it pops.
Big Blue Kickoff Live OTA Day 2 - ( New Window )
Day 2 - ( New Window )
Touchdowns
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers notched one touchdown, likely two if it were a live game. The no-doubter was on a scramble drill by Tommy DeVito during 11-on-11 drills in the red zone, where last year's undrafted quarterback eventually found this year's sixth overall pick in the back of the end zone.
Earlier in practice, Daniel Jones kicked off 7-on-7 red zone drills with a completion to Nabers. The receiver took it up the sideline, but because no contact is allowed, he veered out of bounds at the goal line with a defender in pursuit. Whether or not he got in can be adjudicated in the locker room or during a film session. They can all agree, however, that during a live game, the competitive Nabers would be on the board for six.
Drew Lock threw a handful of touchdowns during team periods, including a pair to rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. He threw two more to wide receiver Miles Boykin on back-to-back plays and one apiece to Gunner Olszewski (more on him next) and tight end Tyree Jackson after looking off a defender.
Olszewski, a midseason addition who recorded the second-longest punt return in Giants history and the longest in 95 years in Week 17, reminded people that he is officially listed as a wide receiver with another touchdown from Nathan Rourke.
Claimed earlier this month off waivers from the Patriots, Rourke has not played in a regular-season NFL game, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder did set the Canadian Football League record with a 78.7 completion percentage in 2022 as he earned the league's award for Most Outstanding Canadian. The newcomer also threw touchdowns during Tuesday's "development" period to Boykin, Chase Cota, and John Jiles, who showed his vertical leap on a highlight grab in the end zone.
Second-year wide receiver Jalin Hyatt caught a touchdown from DeVito.
Running backs Devin Singletary and Eric Gray each scored on the ground, but again, they can debate it in the locker room.
Takeaways
Defensive back Jalen Mills had the lone interception, which came on a tip drill in the final period. A Super Bowl LII champion with the Eagles, the veteran Mills signed with the Giants in March as a free agent. He has made 83 career starts in 106 regular-season games.
Other Notable Plays
Second-year cornerback Deonte Banks broke up a pass in the end zone to start 11-on-11 drills. He forced another incompletion later in practice.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns forced a throwaway. Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau also caused an incompletion in 7-on-7 drills.
Cornerback Nick McCloud sniffed out a swing pass and would have made a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Takeaways from OTA No. 2: Malik Nabers gets on the board - ( New Window )
* During the individual practice period I made a beeline over to the outside linebackers group, where new coach Charlie Bullen was putting his players through drills. There was a big focus on hand placement and winning with the correct inside/outside arm, depending on alignment. The drills stressed the importance of the edge players getting their hands inside, which allows them to control the chest of the offensive lineman and win the leverage battle.
* Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns were working with each other in these drills, and it is amazing seeing how similar their body types are when they stand next to each other. Thibodeaux is a little thicker in the upper body, which is probably why he is listed at 258, while Burns is at 250.
* I then made my way over to the offensive linemen, who were working together on combo blocks in the run game. The drills featured two players, either a center and guard or guard and tackle, working together to block two defenders. One defender was on the first level with the second playing a linebacker/second-level role. The defenders would present different movements, which forced the offensive linemen to work together in different ways to get both players blocked. It trained the mental part of the game for the offensive linemen to know how to pass off one player to each other, and the physical chemistry necessary to execute it on the field.
* Later in practice, Devin Singletary joined the offensive line group and they worked together on how to pick up different blitzes. There's a lot of teaching going on from both the mental and physical parts of the position with the offensive line group right now.
* The team portion of practice featured all red zone work, with most of it coming inside the 10-yard line. The defense started strong with a pass break-up by Deonte Banks. The offense did score two touchdowns in the first team period, with Tommy DeVito finding Malik Nabers in the back of the end zone after scrambling to buy time in the backfield. Undrafted rookie free agent Nathan Rourke also connected with veteran wide receiver Miles Boykin on a shovel pass while he ran forward in the pocket but before he passed the line of scrimmage.
* The offense heated up later in practice and started getting the ball in the end zone more consistently. Olszewski was extremely active as a receiver, catching a pair of touchdown passes. He is enjoying his chance to compete at wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt scored a touchdown crossing along the back line on a throw from DeVito. Tight end Tyree Jackson was left open in the end zone for a short touchdown catch, while Boykin caught back-to-back touchdowns from Drew Lock at the end of the team practice.
* Rookie Tyone Tracy Jr. got involved in the passing game and caught two balls, one in the flat and another over the middle that could have gone for touchdowns.
* The defense made some plays in the final couple of team periods. Bobby Okereke and Ryder Anderson combined for what could have been a sack. Tre Hawkins III knocked a ball away in the end zone.
* Practices end with a developmental period for the young players, and Rourke made the most of it. He hit John Jiles near the front pylon, who made an amazing grab for a touchdown. Two plays later he connected with wide receiver Chase Cota for a touchdown.
* The defense came up with a takeaway with Jalen Mills successfully executing a tip drill to come down with an interception.
Practice Report: Notes & observations from OTA No. 2 - ( New Window )
New York Giants OTAs Begin - ( New Window )
Any chance you can summarize for those of us who don't want to sit through an hour of Dottino?