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What We Learned: Azeez Ojulari 'gives you a lot of versatility'

AZEEZ-OJULARI-KONICA

The Giants were back on the field Thursday for their final practice session ahead of this weekend's preseason matchup against the Houston Texans.

The team will fly to Houston on Friday with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Coach Brian Daboll and coordinators Mike Kafka, Shane Bowen and Michael Ghobrial spoke to reporters before the carded practice, while quarterback Daniel Jones met with the media after today's session.

Here are five things we learned on a busy Thursday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

1. Jones 'ready to go, ready to play'

Daniel Jones has been a full participant at practice since the start of training camp. The sixth-year quarterback, who is just over nine months removed from a torn ACL, has been the quarterback for the first team offense during all 11-on-11 drills this summer, including the two joint practices against the Lions. While the starting quarterback has gotten plenty of valuable practice reps over the last few weeks, stepping onto the field this Saturday in Houston would mark a big step in his comeback from last year's knee injury.

When talking to the media Thursday, Jones shared his excitement about finally returning to game action, noting that he has put last year's injury fully behind him.

"I'm ready to go," Jones said. "I'm ready to play as much as Dabs wants me to play. So, I don't know. That's probably a better question for him and kind of how he's seeing the whole situation. But I'm ready to play and looking forward to getting out there."

Jones is far from the only one looking forward to his return to the field. Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka complimented the 27-year-old's performance so far this summer, but noted how important it is to get the signal-caller back under center in an actual game setting.

"I think just getting Daniel in the mix with all 11 guys and the groupings and kind of that first group in there just to get a feel for everybody, whether it's the offensive line, the receivers, and just continue to work together," assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said Thursday morning. "We have worked well all camp, and so this is just another opportunity in the preseason to get it with live bullets."

Kafka added, "He's doing a great job. Each day he's just getting a little bit better. I think those are things that we've talked about, whether it's his footwork, whether it's his progression, whether it's just communicating with the offensive line and kind of getting that feedback as well. He's part of it. He's one-eleventh of that group, but he's a big part of that, and I think he's doing a really nice job."

View the best photos from training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

2. Ojulari 'gives you a lot of versatility'

A big storyline throughout the first few weeks of training camp has been who will win the spot next to Dexter Lawrence along the defensive line. We know that Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux will be the two starters on the edge, but the position on the interior next to Lawrence has been up for grabs all summer. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen discussed a new possibility for that spot on the defensive line, telling the media that there's a chance outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari could be a factor in some packages following a solid start to the summer.

"I think he's been consistent," Bowen said about the fourth-year edge rusher. "Like I think he's flashed throughout camp each day. There's usually a play or two where I'm like, 'Okay, that's a great play.' That's something I've been pleased with him about is just the progression and being able to be the same guy every day. Again, when you get to those passing situations, it's finding the best four, whoever that is and however we got to coordinate it, to be able to get to the quarterback. He gives you a lot of versatility in that regard.

"I think (Brian) Burns gives you some versatility. KT (Kayvon Thibodeaux) gives you some versatility in that regard. It's just a matter of where you place them. If you've got three edge guys on the field, well there's only two edges. So, it's where you place them. That's something we'll kind of work through as a staff as, again, some of these personnel decisions unfold with the front guys as well."

Speaking of Thibodeaux, it's clear that the third-year edge rusher has a big fan in Shane Bowen.

"The one thing I've noticed with Kayvon is he's working hard to improve," said the defensive coordinator. "I think he wants to take that next step, it's not just us. We're going to continue to push him, but I think consistently you felt him a little bit more out there each day. I haven't seen many lull days from him, but it hasn't really been the roller coaster ride. He's done a good job accepting the challenge and accepting the way we want those guys to play, the play style, what's involved with that position and the expectation (Outside Linebackers Coach) Charlie (Bullen) has for that position and I have for that position. I've coached that position. I think he's done a good job accepting that and he's working hard and there's been improvement."

3. Simmons has 'continued to improve'

One of the most intriguing players on the defense is Isaiah Simmons. The versatile defender lined up all over the defense in his first season with the Giants last year, and through the first few weeks of training camp, the 26-year-old has done more of the same. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was asked about Simmons' positional versatility on Thursday and talked about how the talented defender has been working as both a linebacker and in the slot, noting he's performed well in both spots.

"He's done a good job," said defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. "I think he's played a little sub-backer for us in some of those passing situations. He's been inside on early downs for us. I think he's continued to improve and find some comfort in the places that we've put him up to this point. I've been pleased with him so far throughout camp.

"I have seen growth from him. I have. To be in some unfamiliar positions at times, especially out there on early downs, I think he's done a good job of kind of understanding, being able to turn the page and progress in his understanding, not just only his role. I've been encouraged by him and hopefully that continues."

Simmons appears to be in the mix to see some playing time in the slot this season, which should not come as a big surprise following his success in coverage last year. Opposing quarterbacks had a 77.2 passer rating when targeting Simmons last year, as he finished the season as one of Pro Football Focus' top linebackers in coverage in 2023.

4. Kafka praises young tight ends

The tight end room has gone through some major changes since the end of last season. The most notable addition to the group came in the form of fourth-round pick Theo Johnson. The 6-foot-6, 264-pound tight end has flashed his athleticism throughout training camp, putting his speed and agility on full display. While the rookie is still finding his way during his first NFL summer, Johnson has left his offensive coordinator impressed with his early performance.

"Theo is a rookie, and he's right on schedule with where he's at in his development," said Kafka. "He was one of those guys that kind of started a little bit later in training camp, just getting back from the injury. But he's doing a really nice job. I'm happy. I'm excited about him. Going to keep inserting him into the offense and continue to find ways to get him involved."

One of the key players returning from last season is Daniel Bellinger. The third-year player has been a factor in the run game while also catching 55 passes across his first two seasons with the Giants. Now heading into Year 3, Bellinger's confidence and development has stood out.

"Belly is one of those kind of guys that kind of does it all in the pass game, in the run game," Kafka told the media. "He's continuing to develop and grow. He's getting stronger. You saw that leap from year one to year two, and you can see his confidence in year three of just being in the same system for three years. That's going to pay dividends for him. I'm excited about him because he's one of those guys that I see and I visualize as a leader of that group. So, whether he's on the field or he's off the field, he's one of those great teammates that you can rely on."

5. Roster updates

The Giants made a flurry of roster moves Thursday morning ahead of this weekend's preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, veteran defensive back Jalen Mills was released and defensive back Elijah Riley was placed on injured reserve.

The Giants filled these three open roster spots immediately, starting with the addition of running back Joshua Kelley. Kelley, 5-11 and 212 pounds, spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after being drafted in the fourth round (No. 112 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Kelley appeared in 54 games with four starts and registered 320 rush attempts for 1,148 yards and six touchdowns while adding 50 receptions for 319 yards.

The running back played two years at UC Davis before transferring to UCLA for his final two seasons. Kelley played in 22 games with 20 starts for the Bruins, where he carried the ball 454 times for 2,303 yards (5.1 avg.) and 24 touchdowns. He also caught 38 passes for 264 yards and an additional touchdown.

Kelley was named first-team All-Pac-12 by the Associated Press in both of his seasons at UCLA after he ran for 12 touchdowns and topped 1,100 yards from scrimmage each year.

The Giants also added safeties Raheem Layne and Jonathan Sutherland.

Layne, 5-11 and 192 pounds, spent his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, appearing in 11 games with one start. He was placed on injured reserve last October due to a torn ACL.

Sutherland, 5-11 and 202 pounds, has yet to make an appearance in the NFL. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks last season as an undrafted rookie from Penn State but was waived/injured (calf) last August. Sutherland then joined Seattle's practice squad and was released last month.

View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.

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