Giants Focus on Red Zone Work in First OTA Practice This Year

Let's piece together what we know based on what the team reported following its first OTA of the spring.

The New York Giants completed the first of their ten OTA practices Monday as their off-season program moved into Phase 3. It was a chance for the offense and defense to work against each other, which usually makes for some fun competition to watch.

Although the independent media was not permitted to watch the practice--independent media won't be allowed on the premises until Thursday when the team holds OTA No. 3--there are some takeaways to be had based on the team's post-practice report and photos posted on their website from the practice, which primarily focused on the red zone.

A Key Connection Takes Shape

It already sounds like the Daniel Jones-Darren Waller connection, which is an important one ahead of the upcoming season, is well ahead of schedule.

Waller caught two red zone touchdowns from Jones in 7-on-7 drills and added a third one later in the practice. Based on the practice report by the team, Waller had to use his full body height to snag the second of his two scores. Per Pro Football Focus, Waller has a career-contested catch success rate of 55.7.

Not to be outdone, tight end Daniel BEllinger also caught a pair of touchdown passes from Jones in the red zone. It's only the first OTA, but it sounds as though the Giants' tight ends might be seeing more red zone targets this year. (Last year, the Giants tight ends caught nine of 10 red zone targets for 73 yards and three touchdowns.)

Injured Player Sightings

Monday's practice saw the return to the field of receiver Collin Johnson and linebacker Darrian Beavers, two players who last year saw their respective seasons end in the summer.

Johnson, who is returning from an Achilles tear, caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Beavers, who is working his way back from an ACL tear, was spotted on the field in a snap taken by the Giants website staff sporting jersey No. 43, but it's unclear how much he did during the workout.

Worth noting is that Beavers--and, for that matter, the other players who were known to have dealt with injuries last year--was not wearing a red jersey, as was the case last year when the coaching staff had anyone who was injured in the scarlet colored jersey. So this could be a change in how head coach Brian Daboll is approaching practices this year.

Punt Returners

One of the big questions on many people's minds is who will be the team's punt returner this season.

That decision likely won't be made for a while yet, but according to the team's practice report, among those seen fielding punts were corners Adoree' Jackson and Darnay Holmes, and receivers Jamison Crowder, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Jaydon Mickens.

For those already panicking over the thought of Jackson, who suffered a sprained knee last year on punt returns, it's still very early in the process. Same thing regarding Hyatt, the rookie wideout who has Giants fans abuzz over how his speed can help turbocharge the Giants offense.

Up Next

The Giants are back at it on Tuesday, May 23.

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