The Pads Are On!
While training camp is the start of the preseason, most of this is spent doing walkthroughs with minimal if any contact. Monday saw the players walk out at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in full pads. Both Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux have been lining up opposite each other, and the opportunity to finally put on the pads couldn’t have come sooner for Thibodeaux.
“There are a lot of things as a pass rusher, as a defensive guy, you aren’t able to do without pads. The offence has the baggy jerseys, you can just pull on them. Now it’ll be more of a fair game. I’ll be able to use all the moves I’ve been working on.”
The Return of Danny Dimes
Training camp is a fickle place. If the offence struggles, the kneejerk reaction is that we’re doomed. If the offence performs well, the response is “Let’s see if we can do it in a game. “It’s lose/lose. So, after an up and down start to training camp, the usual fanbase murmur started up. Was Daniel Jones the guy to lead this offense?
Jones was likely paying no attention, but the return of “Danny Dimes” has come at the right time. He started Tuesday inconstantly, but once the 11 on 11 drills started, he was on fire despite two interceptions. This continued Wednesday, as Jones unofficially went 9 of 11 with no interceptions. Friday’s showing at Fan Fest wasn’t ideal, but he’s had a much stronger week compared to the last.
Dexter Lawrence’s Lofty Goals
Since being drafted in 2019, Lawrence has been ever-present on the defensive line and will continue to be so as the Giants picked up his fifth-year option. The thing that’s been missing since he’s been here is a maiden postseason berth, but he’s hopeful that’s about to change. When asked about this on Tuesday, he replied: “You can’t sit on what happened years prior. You’ve got to go for what you’re shooting for now. Everybody’s goal is to make it to the postseason. If everybody has the same goal, we’re all going to have the same work ethic to try to get there, it is a realistic goal. It’s everybody’s goal.”
Continued Absent Attendees
The Giants have had multiple absentees since the start of camp last Monday and this week was no different.
Jon Felciano took to the field on Wednesday for the first time in a week after he was given time to recover from heat-related issues, and Matt Gono missed Wednesday’s practise before being put on the exempt/left squad list due to an undisclosed issue (which was later revealed to be a neck issue). This will likely provide an opportunity for rookie Josh Ezeudu to step in to take the Swing Tackle role.
Finally, veteran Tight End Ricky Seals-Jones has missed the last five games for reasons unknown. With Daniel Bellinger’s upward trajectory since joining, this time away from the team will not help Seals-Jones’ chances of making the final 53-man roster.
It’s Fan Fest Time
The 2nd annual fan fest was held on Friday as MetLife Stadium was opened for an open Blue-White scrimmage session prior to their opening pre-season game on Thursday in Foxborough. Here are a few observations:
Kayvon Thibodeaux continued to shine with a dominant performance. With his constant pressure, he caused havoc and drew two holding penalties.
Rookie Marcus McKethan was unfortunately carted off during the session, and it was later confirmed that the fifth-round pick had torn his ACL. With Matt Gono also potentially out this season, the depth chart for the Offensive Line is looking thin.
Darius Slayton hasn’t had the best camp, and it’s likely that he could struggle to even make the roster this season. If you needed anymore evidence of his depth chart fall, he spent most of Friday’s scrimmages running with the third-team offense before joining the second-team for a couple of plays towards the end.
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