New York Giants Notebook: No O-line Help for Now, Freddie's Impact and More

Some leftovers from the Giants' first day of joint practices against the Cleveland Browns.

Author:
Patricia Traina
Publish date:
Aug 20, 2021 10:01 AM EDT

The Giants are back again in Cleveland for a second day of joint practices. Here are a few other notables from Day 1.

No Incoming Offensive Line Help...for Now

Last week, Giants head coach Joe Judge admitted that the possibility of the team adding offensive line help was likely.

So why hasn't it been done yet? Two main reasons.

First, other than for Ted Larsen, whom the Giants signed last week, the pickings are otherwise slim. And as NFL rosters around the league make cuts in the coming days, it wouldn't be farfetched to assume the Giants will be watching the waiver wire very closely.

MORE: The Extra Benefit of the Giants' Joint Practices with the Browns

But the second reason is a more positive one. The Giants, whose depth was hit due to retirements (Zach Fulton and Joe Looney) and injuries (Shane Lemieux, Jonotthan Harrison, Nate Solder, and Kyle Murphy), managed to get some guys back in time for this week's joint practices.

"That’s definitely a part. (OL) Jonotthan Harrison is back out there fully practicing with us now. (OL) Ted Larsen we added right before the game last week. I didn’t want to throw him in a live action without him even having a snap in training camp," Judge said.

"We were able to get through that without using him. He’s obviously been practicing with the team now, so I feel like we’ve added a couple players right there to help with our depth."

Freddie My Love

Giants senior offensive assistant Freddie Kitchens might have had a tumultuous time during his short tenure in Cleveland as interim offensive coordinator and then head coach. Still, since coming to the Giants to reunite with Judge, whom he knew years ago in the college ranks, Judge is very much appreciative of what Kitchens brings to the coaching room.

"Freddie is hands-on with everything," Judge said.

"He’s great for me, he’s great with the players, he brings a natural intensity with him. He brings a lot of experience. He brings, obviously, a different personality. At times he can crank it up, at times he can make it really light and loose in the meeting room, and you need a combination of both of those right there. I think our personalities play off well in our staff."

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In his past dealing with the media, Kitchens has been pleasant but very guarded to the point of being as vanilla as possible. But Judge hinted that Kitchens has a much more outgoing personality than he lets on in public.

"Look, we’ve all got a public persona, we’ve all got a way we address these meetings, and then we’ve got behind closed doors for our players of how we are, as well. It’s fun to see the personalities, let your hair down a little bit with your guys and how everybody plays off of each other."

Welcome Back

Giants safety Jabrill Peppers, who began his career in Cleveland as a first-round pick in 2017 (No. 25 overall), hasn't looked back at his days in a Browns uniform since being traded as part of the blockbuster Odell Beckham Jr deal after the 2018 season.

True to form, Peppers was all business when he set foot on the first NFL practice field, where he launched his NFL career.

MORE: Why the Giants Held Saquon Barkley Out of Drills Against Browns

"I’m at peace with it," Peppers said of being one of the veterans the giants obtained in the trade that also netted New York offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, and two draft picks in exchange for Beckham and edge rusher Olivier Vernon.

"I love where I’m at. I think we’re building something special here, but I’m thankful for my time here, as well. It taught me a lot of character, learned a lot of ball here, but I’m just focused on the future."

Injury Update

The Giants haven't finalized their personnel plans for Sunday's preseason game against the Browns, but don't expect to see receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring), receiver Kadarius Toney (unknown), and running back Saquon Barkley (knee) suit up.

Others whose statuses appear to be uncertain include: