EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J – Malik Nabers said two practices with the Detroit Lions taught him something that anyone who has watched him play football the last couple years already knew.
"I can compete with these guys in the league," Nabers said. "That was just the main thing. Just going against somebody else before the season starts. Let's see what I need to work on. Getting my plays down. That's really about it. Just continue to be me. That's all I can say is I have talks with myself, 'Just continue to be me.'"
That will make the Giants very happy.
In two days working against a defense that helped the Lions advance to the NFC Championship Game last season, Nabers was as productive as he's been in almost every training camp practice. The Giants' first-round draft choice caught virtually everything thrown his way, even when it didn't count. Today, he made a terrific sideline catch but was ruled out-of-bounds by the NFL officials working practice. Video showed he kept his feet in-bounds.
"I'm able to go out and play with these guys," Nabers said. "There's a lot of work to be done, a lot of mistakes that I've made when I was out there. Just getting back in my books and coming out here the next day at practice. I mean, next day is the game (the preseason opener Thursday night vs. the Lions). So, just going out there at the game and just cleaning everything up.
"The game is fast. The level of competition is very high. There are plays to be made when the ball is thrown in the air."
Brian Daboll, who is calling the offensive plays for the first time in his three seasons as head coach, clearly wants Nabers to frequently handle the ball. That was Daboll's intention before the draft, during the spring, and throughout training camp. Seeing Nabers work against another team for the first time did not shake that conviction.
"(He showed) what he's showed all camp," Daboll said. "Competitive. Knows what to do. Been playing at a high level in practice, (we'll) see if that translates to the games. I have a lot of confidence in Malik."
What does Nabers think of Daboll's desire to make him a big component in the Giants' offense?
"I feel like it's just an evaluation of what I can do, what I can't do," he said. "As I go out here and I show them that there's not a lot that I can't do. So, as many times as I make plays, the more opportunities that will come my way. Same as the rest of these guys. When they make plays out there, they're going to get some plays to them also. You find out what you're good at, you find out what your players are good at, and you put them in the best game possible.
"I'm just out here trying to compete at the highest point, make plays when I got the opportunity, continue to show my coaches that I'm able to play in this league."
Nabers was particularly competitive with Detroit cornerback Terrion Arnold, the Lions' first-round draft choice this year, and someone he faced in the Southeastern Conference. Nabers starred at LSU and Arnold at Alabama.
"I got nice, good work from these guys at Detroit," Nabers said. "Just some great work of not going against your teammates. You get to go against somebody else. Having that mindset of getting back into that football mentality, that was great."
The Giants chose Nabers sixth overall in the draft. Two years ago, the team selected outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth. The two high draft choices have discussed what it's like to have high expectations, both for yourself and from others.
"I tell him stay consistent," Thibodeaux said. "We had a talk about goals, and I've been a guy who set goals and I know he's a kid who has big goals for himself. But you got to know that you may not reach them, or it may come in a different way, or it may be a situation of adversity that you have to bear through and just stay consistent as possible and just continue to find the thing you can grow at each week."
Nabers has received and processed the information.
"I've just been doing a great job at putting the work in," he said. "Getting some work with the guys, (Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver) Davante (Adams), going out there in Houston, training with him. Putting that extra work just in the training room, the weight room. Making my body at its 100% mark as I can so I can be healthy when the season comes. And just making plays when I'm out there on the field. Continue to be me. Continue to make the plays I've been making my whole life. And at the end of the day, it's just football."
The New York Giants hosted the Detroit Lions for joint practices ahead of Thursday's preseason opener.
WR Malik Nabers (9)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Malik Nabers (9), QB Daniel Jones (8)
Dan Campbell and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (6)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Michael Strahan, WR Malik Nabers (9)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
T Yodny Cajuste (70)
RB Dante Miller (25)
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
QB Drew Lock (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
T Andrew Thomas (78), TE Theo Johnson (47)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
T Andrew Thomas (78), TE Theo Johnson (47)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
DT Casey Rogers (91)
DB Tre Herndon (23)
LB Matthew Adams (49)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
DB Tre Herndon (23)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Dane Belton (24)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
OLB Brian Burns (0), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
DT Casey Rogers (91)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Deonte Banks (3), WR Darius Slayton (86), CB Nick McCloud (44)
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Director,Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Director,Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Deonte Banks (3), WR Darius Slayton (86), CB Nick McCloud (44)
QB Drew Lock (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Dante Miller (25)
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan, WR Malik Nabers (9)
Jonathan Casillas
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
CB Alex Johnson (25)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
RB Jacob Saylors (28)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Benton Whitley (48)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Devin Singletary (26), WR Jameson Williams (9)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (6)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (17)
RB Devin Singletary (26), WR Jameson Williams (9)
Michael Strahan, WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
Michael Strahan, jonathan casillas, Victor Cruz
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
Victor Cruz, Kevin Boothe
Victor Cruz, Kevin Boothe
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
Giants Alumni Ahmad Bradshaw, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kevin Boothe
Tom Coughlin, Brian Daboll Head Coach
Giants Alumni Ahmad Bradshaw, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kevin Boothe
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) and Amon-Ra St. Brown during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76) and Michael Strahan after Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
S Tyler Nubin (31) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Victor Cruz during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28), CB Deonte Banks during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), DL Timmy Horne (96) and ILB Bobby Okereke (58)nduring Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Kevin Booth during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
S Jason Pinnock (27) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Dan Campbell and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Timmy Horne (96) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Dennis Houston (88) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
A look down the line of scrimmage during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) talks with Hendon Hooker during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll talks with Dan Campbell during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Darius Slayton (86) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Eric Gray (20) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Malik Nabers (9), TE Theo Johnson (47)
QB Jared Goff (16), QB Drew Lock (2), QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Drew Lock (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Malik Nabers (9)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
G Aaron Stinnie (64)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
WR Darius Slayton (86), WR Malik Nabers (9), G Austin Schlottmann (65)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
LB Matthew Adams (49)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
CB Alex Johnson (25)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
DL Timmy Horne (96)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Dru Phillips (22), WR Ayir Asante (19) S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Dane Belton (24)
QB Jared Goff (16)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8), QB Jared Goff (16)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
QB Daniel Jones (8), QB Jared Goff (16)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
TE Tyree Jackson (84)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Dane Belton (24), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
WR Allen Robinson II (5)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), QB Jared Goff (16)
S Dane Belton (24), S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Darnay Holmes (30), S Gervarrius Owens (39)
George Martin
CB Alex Johnson (25)
S Gervarrius Owens (39)
CB Darnay Holmes (30) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
George Martin, Gary Reasons
Gary Reasons
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), WR Darius Slayton (86)
QB Daniel Jones (8), QB Jared Goff (16)
George Martin
Gary Reasons
Rodney Hampton
CB Deonte Banks (3), CB Dru Phillips (22), S Dane Belton (24), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Darius Slayton (86) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Nick McCloud (44), S Gervarrius Owens (39) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson (5) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Jared Goff, QB Drew Lock (2) and QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Jacob Saylors (28) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Micah McFadden (41), ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Tommy DeVito (15) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Mark Brunell during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll talk to ILB Bobby Okereke (58), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Drew Lock (2) and Jared Goff during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Dan Campbell and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Tom Coughlin and Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Shane Bowen during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson and WR Isaiah Hodgins (18) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Micah McFadden (41) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Allen Robinson and WR Isaiah Hodgins (18) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
*Daboll has been impressed with third-round draft choice Dru Phillips, who is competing for the nickel cornerback job.
"The last few days he's shown up, so continue to work and have progress with him," Daboll said. "We have different packages with different guys in there, but he's had a good, call it, the last three days of practice."
*Thibodeaux said the two practices against the Lions helped the defensive players accelerate their comfort level and execution in new coordinator Shane Bowen's scheme.
"Cause we get to apply the things we've learned," Thibodeaux said. "It's easy to go against your team and you kind of get lulled to sleep by going against the same offense. So, when you switch it up, you get young guys playing against flying bullets, the tempo is faster, their operation is different as far as going fast to the ball. And we just get a chance to see it live. So, there a few mix-ups and a few miscommunications and now we get to correct it and work on for next."
Thibodeaux is excited to play in Bowen's defense.
"I would say I love the playbook," he said. "We use the word simple, but simple is always kind of misconstrued as easy. It's simple, but it's not easy. So, continuing to kind of dive between the lines and see how we can utilize it to our advantage has been great."
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