The countdown to the 2015 NFL season hit 100 days this past weekend and the New York Giants resumed organized team activities on Monday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
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Practicing inside the field house, Big Blue hit the field for their seventh of the allotted 10 OTAs. There was a lot of action and news coming from East Rutherford, so let's get to it.
Here is a recap of OTA No. 7:
HIGHLIGHTS
The defense tallied another in its column for the play of the day. Cornerback Prince Amukamara jumped in front of a Ryan Nassib pass intended for wide receiver Julian Talley and made the interception.
While there were no other turnovers forced, safety Cooper Taylor made a nice play to break up a long pass to the right side and almost made the interception. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins also got in the mix, throwing an arm up and disrupting a sharp pass that was going to a receiver behind him.
Running back Shane Vereen, who set a Super Bowl record for most receptions by a running back this past February with the Patriots, had a busy day. He caught a short touchdown over the middle from Eli Manning during the first portion of team drills. The two later connected on a pair of completions in the final two-minute drill.
During the same final drive, wide receiver Corey Washington also hauled in a pair of nice catches from Manning as well as a few others throughout the day.
During 11-on-11s, Nassib scrambled to make a tough throw to wide receiver and sixth-round pick Geremy Davis.
INJURY REPORT
Coach Tom Coughlin said that wide receiver and reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Odell Beckham Jr. is doing better as he deals with a sore hamstring. Jameel McClain was held out with a back issue, as was fellow linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who received an injection to treat his injury.
DE Owa Odighizuwa was also out with a leg issue, while TE Larry Donnell continues to deal with Achilles tendinitis. Coughlin also said safety Nat Berhe's recovery from a calf injury has been slow, while defensive end Damontre Moore (shoulder) is scheduled to increase his workload.
AYERS BACK ON SIDELINE
Defensive end Robert Ayers was back in uniform today after suffering a lateral ankle sprain in the first OTA practice. While he was limited, Ayers and the Giants must be encouraged by the development. At this time last week, Coughlin said he was still limping and there was "quite a bit of swelling."
Check out the best photos from Monday's practice
FLOWERS PUTS IN OVERTIME
The Giants have thrown first-round draft pick Ereck Flowers right in the deep end to begin what they hope is a promising career. While opening as the starting left tackle in place of Will Beatty (torn pectoral muscle), Flowers has been running with the ones but also stays out for part of the reps with the second team to speed up the Miami product's acclimation to the professional level. But like Coughlin said today, we won't see if it's paying off until the pads come on. The same goes for all linemen.
PRE-PRACTICE HUDDLE
Before practice, Coughlin gathered his team on the field for a few words that produced a spirited reaction. So what was the message? "I just said that we need to have four solid practices and a good minicamp to wrap the spring up," the head coach told the media after Monday's session.
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE
There are three OTA practices left on the schedule: June 9, 11, and 12. Mandatory minicamp will be June 16-18.
