New York Giants OTA No. 5: Speed on Full Display
The Giants' newly renovated team speed was on full display once again for OTA No. 5, and the more we hear from players, the more you can sense the excitement they harbor over what the coaches are cooking up to spring on the team's 2023 opponents this year.
That was evident by the amount of time the Giants spent throwing longer passes which, albeit weren't against a pass rush, put some new ideas and concepts the coaches are experimenting with on display with the offense.
"I think last season the explosive (plays) were a thing we needed more of, you know?" said receiver Darius Slayton. "So I think this spring's kind of been a conscious effort to push the ball down the field."
The Giants were running some verticals out of 11 and 12 personnel and having success with it for the most part. Slayton, Parris Campbell, tight end Darren Waller, and Isaaih Hodgins were all targeted on deep balls, many of which were completed.
But there were also plenty of mid-range attempts, and, at one point, quarterback Daniel Jones, who had himself a fine day throwing the ball, connected with three consecutive receivers--Campbell, Hodgins, and Slayton-- for touchdowns from the 10-15 yard range.
"What's the point of having a bunch of Ferraris and keeping them in the garage?" Slayton quipped. "Take them out to the track. So I think that's kind of been the mindset, and maybe why you see a little bit more of the ball going down the field."
About DeAndre Hopkins
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was vague regarding the team's interest in free-agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
“Any time there’s someone that’s available that’s a free agent, I’d say Joe (Schoen) and his staff are going to look into it, research it, we talk about a lot of different players," Daboll said when the question was raised. "Regardless of who it is, that part of our job is to make sure we’re doing our due diligence.”
Daboll's answer is no surprise, as for him to have come right out and said there was a definite interest would be counterproductive. That said, the more one thinks about the Giants and the 31-year-old Hopkins being a match, the less it makes sense.
The Giants have loaded up their receiver room with many young players they hope to continue developing. They also added tight end Darren Waller, their de facto No. 1 receiver. While Hopkins would certainly elevate the talent around him, adding him appears to go against the grain regarding how the team has been built.
Then there is also the matter of the cap space. With Saquon Barkley still not signed, the Giants are thought to be prioritizing their star running back above all else.
The Next Julian Love?
Cornerback Nick McCloud, looking to solidify his place on the roster, took some snaps at safety.
"I think Nick is a Swiss Army knife. A guy that is going to do whatever you ask him to do, he's going to do it at a high level," said cornerback Adoree' Jackson. "I appreciate Nick never put his head down, never wavering, never being woe is me--just like, 'Coach, what do you need me to do?'"
If this sounds familiar, this is how Julian Love, who has since signed with the Seahawks, made his living with the Giants.
"I say I just appreciate Nick for him being unselfish. A lot of guys probably would be mad or whatever it may be, but good things happen by just going out there and loving the game and having fun with it. It gets him on the field as well," Jackson said.
Observations
Undrafted free agent receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton had a decent day, making a couple of tough catches with defenders around him. He did, however, have a ball sail right through his hands despite not having anyone around him.
Receiver David Sills, who left the third OTA practice early after landing awkwardly after attempting a reception, was back on the field.
Defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson may be dealing with some sort of issue as he didn't appear to do much. He walked off the field back into the building with fellow defensive lineman D.J. Davidson and offensive lineman Marcus McKethan, who are rehabbing from season-ending injuries.
Wan'Dale Robinson did some light straight-ahead running and worked with a resistance apparatus while the team practiced. Robinson appeared to move well in his workout with the trainer.
Like Sterling Shepard, he also got on the field during the 11-on-11 walk-through part of practice in which the players worked without helmets and literally at walk-through speed.
Zyon Gilbert picked off a pass thrown by Tommy DeVito that was overthrown.
Darren Waller had a rare dropped pass in this practice when the ball hit him in the hands and bounced away.
Jamison Crowder got the better of rookie Deonte Banks to make about a 12-yard reception. Credit, though, to the rookie, who kept up with Crowder throughout the route. It will be interesting to see how well Banks and the rest of the defensive players fare once contact is allowed.
Adoree' Jackson broke up a ball intended for Isaaih Hodgins. Kalil Pimpleton, who had a nice day in practice, beat Cor'Dale Flott in coverage.
Jalin Hyatt continues to impress with his speed, cutting on a dime and shaking loose from the coverage. Collin Johnson made a gorgeous sideline catch of a pass thrown by Jones, doing a good job of shaking the defender and staying in bounds before his momentum carried him out of bounds.
The Giants worked on kickoff returns today. Among those fielding kickoffs were running back Gary Brightwell, receiver Jaydon Mickens, running back Eric Gray, receiver Kalil Pimpleton, receiver Darius Slayton, and cornerback Darnay Holmes.
Defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, who were not at OTA No. 3 (the last one open to the media), were present for this workout.
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