*Giants.com's Dan Salomone highlights five takeaways from Thursday's team practice and media hour: *
1. McADOO ADDRESSES REPORT
Following Thursday's practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, Ben McAdoo met with the writers who cover the Giants to address an ESPN report that came out Wednesday afternoon about two anonymous Giants players criticizing the coaching staff, primarily the head coach.
"First things first, I have an open door policy," he said. "So, any player that has anything to say is welcome to come in the front door and talk. I had a couple conversations over the last couple of weeks and I welcome those conversations and the next thing is pretty simple. It's hard to help a player when they don't put their name on a quote. So, if they need some help, come see me. I'm the guy that can help them."
McAdoo was then asked if he takes it as a personal affront.
"No, I don't take things personal in this business," he responded. "Everything I'm focused on is trying to put these guys in a position to be successful and put them in a position to win a game this week."
You can read his full comments HERE.
2. INJURY REPORT
Did not practice: LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), LB Devon Kennard (quad), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (not injury related), LB Keenan Robinson (quad)
Limited: LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), CB Donte Deayon (ankle), LB Calvin Munson (quad), OL Justin Pugh (back), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle), DE Kerry Wynn (knee)
Full: DT Dalvin Tomlinson (ankle)
3. MOVING ON TO SAN FRAN
This week began like any other during the season with coaches digesting the previous game film on Monday before players come in and see it on Tuesday. That means 36-48 hours have passed since the end of the previous game, and by then, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is usually a bit more relaxed and ready to tackle the next challenge. Not this time. Not after his defense allowed 51 points.
"This was a harder, this was a tougher film session than most mainly because of the result and the way we all felt," Spagnuolo said. "But we grinded through. We watched about what I thought were the 15 key plays together. I made my comments and my issues. The players – I had them do theirs and then I wanted the assistants to detail their position with their particular players, which they did. Then we usually come back on that day – Tuesday – and then kind of sum it all up and move onto the next game, which we did. We moved on to San Francisco."
Among this week's challenges is preparing for the possibility of facing two quarterbacks. Rookie C.J. Beathard is slated to start his fourth consecutive game, while Jimmy Garoppolo, whom the 49ers acquired last week in a trade with New England, serves as his backup.
"I'll tell you, [Beathard is] a pretty good little player," Spagnuolo said. "Kyle [Shanahan] does some really good things with him and then we got the other thing we got to think about is if it's a different quarterback. So, we got a couple things going on."
4. SULLY: COMMITMENT KEY TO ELI'S STREAK
On Sunday, Eli Manning will start his 208th consecutive regular-season game, which will tie his brother Peyton for the second-longest streak in NFL history at quarterback (Brett Favre owns the record with 297). Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, who is in his 11th season overall with the Giants and has known Manning since he started as the wide receivers coach in 2004, said the key is his full-time commitment.
"Well, he's a true pro in terms of taking care of his body," Sullivan said. "I don't imagine him doing anything other than, when he gets home, spending quality time with his wife and kids. He's not out running the streets, obviously, but you know, he does – you look at what he's eating. It's hard to find him putting anything but nutritious things in his body and you guys have all documented the whole how he goes through his routine as far as stretching his arms, you know, stretching his shoulders and so forth.
"His commitment is full-time. It's not just what he does in the film room and preparing himself. It's not just what he does on the practice field. But I think in all phases of his life he has a great balance and a perspective and certainly has served him well through this long streak."
5. SHEPPARD GLAD TO BE BACK
With B.J. Goodson waiting in the wings at middle linebacker, the Giants did not re-sign Kelvin Sheppard this offseason after the veteran played every game for them in 2016. Now he's back with the team, which is shorthanded at linebacker. Sheppard was with the Chicago Bears from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 of this year and played in three preseason games, his last taste of action.
"I took a few visits," Sheppard said about what he's been doing since then. "I went a couple places and was down back in Miami working out, taking visits. I'd go to another team, come back, go to another team, come back. So, it was a little busy, but not what I ultimately wanted. But, I'm back where I wanted to be from the get-go."
He also expects to be active this Sunday.
"Yeah, I'm not here to watch, I don't think."
