The Giants returned to training camp after Saturday’s day off.
A few quick takeaways…
– It was an up-and-down day for quarterback Daniel Jones. It started poorly – very poorly. Jones had Malik Nabers open behind the defense twice for would-be touchdowns. He underthrew him both times. Give Nabers credit: He tried to come back to the ball both times. He made a play at it, too, but wasn’t able to bring it in. He also had Jalin Hyatt open on a crossing route, but was late to his read and underthrew it. Dane Belton nearly picked it off. Jones did come back with two long ones – one to Nabers and another to Hyatt. The one to Nabers was a thing of beauty. Over-the-shoulder, diving, toe-tapping near the sideline. Hyatt’s was a pretty straightforward go route. Jones finished the day 8-of-14.
– The underthrows are becoming a theme for Jones this summer. That’s surprising because it hasn’t been an issue before. You wonder if this might be something tied to his ACL or neck.
– Among the reasons the underthrows are so noticeable is the Giants’ concerted effort to push the ball downfield. They very much want to be more explosive this season and have the means to do it. Nabers (more on him below) is a dynamic playmaker, but Darius Slayton and Hyatt excel as field stretchers, too.
– Nabers might be the Giants most explosive player in years. I understand he’s a rookie. Brian Daboll consistently references how far is still has to go. Still, it’s reached a point in camp where whenever Nabers is on the field … you have to watch him. His releases off the line, agility and speed make him borderline uncoverable. Not only is he consistently open, but the step he has on a defender evolves to two, three and four as he separates like few I’ve covered. Nabers should have finished Sunday with two touchdowns and that diving sideline catch if Jones didn’t miss him on the two former.
– Center John Michael Schmitz didn’t practice. In his place rotated Austin Schlottmann, Jimmy Morrissey and Jon Runyan. Rookie tight end Theo Johnson returned off the physically unable to perform list. He had a nice catch-and-run with the second-team offense early in practice. There’s no indication when tackle Evan Neal will return. Daboll danced around a question on if he’s certain he’ll be available for the opener.
– Drew Lock had a touchdown throw down the seam to Tyree Jackson. Really nice throw into tight coverage to hit Jackson in stride.
– The starting offense was Andrew Thomas (left tackle), Aaron Stinnie (LG), Austin Schlottmann (C), Jon Runyan (RG), Jermaine Eluemunor (RT). Nabers, Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson were the receivers. Lawrence Cager (reminder to keep an eye on him) was the tight end. Jones the quarterback and Devin Singetary the running back.
– The starting defense had Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Ryder Anderson, and Brian Burns up front. Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke were the linebackers. Some variation of Isaiah Simmons, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton and Deonte Banks rotated in the secondary.
