1. Defense won the day.
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After a big debut for the offense on the first day of training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, coach Tom Coughlin wasn't too pleased with the unit on Saturday, and neither was offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who could be heard voicing his, let's say, disapproval by anyone within 100 yards. But the defense may have had something to do with it. Veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and rookie safety Landon Collins had a strong practice with a few pass breakups which were close to interceptions.
"I didn't think too many people on offense showed me anything today," Coughlin said after practice. We'll see which side wins tomorrow when Coughlin says the team will be in shoulder pads.
2. Cunningham and Parker were carted off the field; Jerry sick.
Tight end Jerome Cunningham and wide receiver Preston Parker were both carted off the field due to cramps during another 90-degree day in East Rutherford.
After standing out in the spring, Cunningham has been doing "good things" -- in the words of Coughlin -- for back-to-back days at training camp, including catching a touchdown from Eli Manning on Saturday. Meanwhile, offensive lineman John Jerry "was sick yesterday, and kind of sick today but he kept going. He took some reps today."
3. Donnell is working his way back from Achilles issue.
Looking to follow up his 2014 breakout campaign when he had 63 catches for 623 yards and six touchdowns, tight end Larry Donnell was out this spring with Achilles tendinitis but is working his way back in training camp. Donnell has been limited, but the third-year pro did get on the field for team reps today and caught a pass, which is another good sign for the offense. "He's practiced and he's done well with that," Coughlin said regarding Donnell's injury.
4. Jones caught his first pass in a Giants uniform.
After seven years in Green Bay and last season in Oakland, veteran wide receiver James Jones signed with the Giants on Friday and made his practice debut on Saturday. While Jones was reunited with second-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who was a Packers assistant coach during his time there, he had never met his new quarterback, Eli Manning, before joining Big Blue.
The two broke the ice on Saturday when they hooked up for a completion during 11-on-11 drills. From Aaron Rodgers to Manning, Jones went from one Super Bowl MVP quarterback to another.
"You can tell that both of those guys are hungry to win and they both want to be successful," Jones said. "Just meeting with Eli, he seemed real passionate about the game— he wants everything to be perfect. He's already going through plays and stuff with me because he wants everything to be perfect, so I'm excited to get to work and see what type of quarterback he is. I'm sure he's one of those top-notch guys."
Asked about his expectations on offense, Jones added, "I'm just here to compete. If 100 balls come my way, they do. If two come my way, they do. I'm just here to help this team win the best way I can and be a leader of the team, helping those young guys in the receiving room."
Photos from Saturday's Giants Training Camp practice
5. New Giants motto: "Be where your feet are."
In the early going of training camp, we've heard players repeat the phrase "be where your feet are." Coughlin explained after practice today that the team studied the nature of the phrase over the offseason. "Mindfulness, mindfulness," Coughlin said. "If you're going to be in the gym, be in the gym. Be where your feet are. Stay in the moment. Take care of one moment at a time. While you're here, you deal with your football, deal with your job. It's all the same type of theme."
WATCH: QB Eli Manning completes to WR Victor Cruz at #GiantsCamp http://t.co/JlOt1CHxD7
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 1, 2015
