The calendar has flipped to August, meaning we are that much closer to the official start of the 2024 season.
It was a hot day at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center as the Giants took the practice field in shells.
Coordinators Mike Kafka, Shane Bowen and Michael Ghobrial met with reporters before practice, while inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and new offensive lineman Greg Van Roten spoke to the media after.
Here are five things we learned Thursday.
1. Greg Van Roten 'a natural fit'
The Giants added an experienced body to the offensive line room earlier this week with the addition of Greg Van Roten. The veteran comes to the Giants with 110 games and 71 starts under his belt, including 17 starts last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Van Roten is now reunited with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, as the trio each played crucial roles in the Raiders' success up front last year. Van Roten was one of Pro Football Focus' top guards in the league in 2023, and the 34-year-old gave credit to Bricillo for helping bring out the best in him.
"I had my best year of my career with Carm," the veteran lineman said. "So happy to be back around him. He's a great like X's and O's coach, really does a good job of marrying like the run game with the pass game schematically. So, you're never at a disadvantage as an offensive lineman so it's a good system to play in. He does a really good job communicating like the expectations. Obviously, him being here, Jermaine (Eluemunor) being here, familiarity, a little bit, with the system it just felt like a natural fit for me."
Similar to some of the other guys in the OL room, Van Roten has experience at numerous positions across the line. While he's lined up at right guard the most, including all of last year, he's also spent a lot of time at left guard and even has some limited snaps at center. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound lineman told the media that his versatility played a part in him landing with the Giants.
"I played right most recently," said Van Roten. "I started a bunch of games left guard early in my career. When I was a rookie, actually I started to learn center back then. I just never happened to play in a game until 2022 at center. So, I've started at all three positions inside. That's why I have that value, is my versatility. It's just one of those things where you could put me in anywhere and I can kind of figure it out. I think that's a big reason why I'm here."
View photos from Thursday's practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
G Greg Van Roten (74), QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54), S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and CB Deonte Banks (3) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Malik Nabers (9)
CB Alex Johnson (25), DB Tre Herndon (23), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) RB Jacob Saylors (28), S Jason Pinnock (27), S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Alex Johnson (25) celebrates an interception with S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
QB Daniel Jones (8) talks with \WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) and WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
RB Eric Gray (20)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Alex Johnson (25), DB Tre Herndon (23), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) RB Jacob Saylors (28), S Jason Pinnock (27), S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
CB Alex Johnson (25), DB Tre Herndon (23), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) RB Jacob Saylors (28), S Jason Pinnock (27), S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
CB Alex Johnson (25) intercepts a pass during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Drew Lock (2) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Drew Lock (2)
RB Eric Gray (20)
QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice 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 at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Jack Stoll (89)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Darius Slayton (86),CB Nick McCloud (44) and CB Deonte Banks (3) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25) and TE Jack Stoll (89) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice 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 at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Daniel Bellinger (82) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0)
![K Jude McAtamney (99) and ]WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/refodouamwukiom3r9ks.jpg)
K Jude McAtamney (99) and ]WR John Jiles (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Miles Boykin (81) talks with WR Darius Slayton (86) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll talks with QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Daniel Bellinger (82) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Alex Johnson (25) intercepts a pass during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93) and Brian Daboll hug during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Tyree Jackson (84), ) S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25)
OL Greg Van Roten (74) talks with T Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Darnay Holmes (30) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19) and S Gervarrius Owens (39) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Malik Nabers (9) makes a touchdown catch against CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Alex Johnson (25) celebrates an interception with S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DB Tre Herndon (23) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Eric Gray (20) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL D.J. Davidson (98) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9)
Malik Nabers (9) makes a touchdown catch against CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87) talks with Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Tyree Jackson (84) and S Isaiah Simmons (19) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Tyree Jackson (84) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receivers huddle during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Miles Boykin (81) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Jalin Hyatt (13) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
QB Daniel Jones (8) and WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Jack Stoll (89)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87), WR Malik Nabers (9) and WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
K Graham Gano (9) WR Malik Nabers (9)during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll talks with QB Daniel Jones (8) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Deonte Banks (3) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Daniel Bellinger (82), WR Malik Nabers (9)
RB Eric Gray (20)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Jalin Hyatt (13), WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Malik Nabers (9)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Theo Johnson (47)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Malik Nabers (9)
2. Tyler Nubin returns, 'has a great head on his shoulders'
The Giants' secondary received a boost on Thursday as coach Brian Daboll told reporters that safety Tylen Nubin would be returning to practice. The rookie second-round pick had missed some practice time due to a calf injury, but was out there with the rest of the defense today. Nubin also took part in OTAs and minicamp earler in the offseason, where he seemingly made a good impression on one of the veterans of the defense.
"I think Tyler Nubin has a great head on his shoulders," linebacker Bobby Okereke told reporters. "Obviously, he's been out, but you can feel his presence. He's a vocal guy. He's a smart guy."
With Nubin out, Dane Belton has received an increase in reps with the first-team defense. The third-year safety has made numerous plays, taking full advantage of the opportunity he was given. Belton has caught the eye of his defensive coordinator over the first week of camp.
"One thing I'll say for Dane is he's taken ownership of it, and he's fighting like hell to earn that job. Which he should. It's his job to lose right now. It is his job to lose…" Shane Bowen said before practice.
"I think the instincts show up, the playmaking ability. I think he's smart. He communicates. You can't really tell a whole lot about the tackling and some of that stuff right now just based on where we're at. But he's made plays. This first week, he's showing up."
3. CBs are 'a competitive group'
Heading into training camp, one of the most interesting position competitions to watch was among the cornerbacks. We knew Deonte Banks would sit atop the CB depth chart, but who would earn the starting CB2 spot along with who would be named the starting slot corner were some of the biggest questions facing the defense. Through the first week of camp, we've seen a lot of guys rotate in at those two spots, something Bowen said could continue over the next few weeks.
"I think it's a competitive group right now," the defensive coordinator said. "We're rolling guys in, giving them all opportunities to go out there and compete. I think the biggest thing for them is day in and day out, play in, play out, the consistency. You see flashes from all of them, and then you see some things that they need to improve on. And again, we're early. We got time, but the clock's ticking.
"So hopefully those guys, that's one position they can continue to improve, continue to show that consistency, being reliable play in and play out, and one area where we can hopefully get some definition here in the next few weeks. I think next week versus Detroit is going to be a big tell for some of that stuff too going against some other opponents."
One of the players in the mix in the slot is rookie third-round pick Dru Phillips, who has performed well at the start of his first NFL training camp,
"Dru, I love Dru," said Okereke. "I didn't realize how much, he's like 195, 200. He's a physical guy. He popped out when the pads came on. So, I think he'll be a great addition to our defense."
4. Diverse group of tight ends
The competition among the Giants' tight ends is another interesting battle to watch throughout training camp. The group features six players that each have their own skill sets, something that assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka believes will benefit the room as a whole.
"It's a really diverse group," Kafka told the media. "They're doing really good stuff in the pass pro, in the run game and then downfield as well. We've got some dynamic players that can get downfield. I'm really excited about the group. (Tight ends) Coach (Tim) Kelly has done a nice job of, one, stepping into that group that has a lot of different personalities but also strengths and weaknesses, and then really fitting them to those strengths and weaknesses."
After starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list, rookie Theo Johnson returned to practice on Sunday after passing his physical. The Giants are still ramping up the rookie fourth-round pick's reps during team drills, but Kafka has already seen some development from the 23-year-old.
"He's growing," Kafka said on the rookie tight end. "Just like you said, it's been a couple days. First day was in pads, and that was good to see. But, he's on a rep count as we start ramping him up throughout training camp. He's doing a nice job. He's doing a great job in the meeting room and the field."
5. Veterans leading the way on special teams
When looking at wide receiver Miles Boykin's stats over the last two seasons, his offensive production may not jump off the page. However, the veteran wideout was a key contributor to the Steelers on special teams as a gunner, a role in which he's really grown into with 10 special teams tackles in 2022 and another five last season. Now in his first season with the Giants, the 27-year-old has been one of the key leaders on special teams, earning a heap of praise from Michael Ghobrial.
"A proven guy in this league, a true pro," the special teams coordinator said about Boykin. "Our young guys certainly look at him as a guy that's going to give the example in the right way. He's a guy that is the tone setter. When we get into drills, he wants to be the first person to take the rep because he's done it. And then when you can back up his practice tape with game tape, I think it speaks volumes for the younger players to be like, 'Oh, this guy has made a living playing on special teams.'"
Boykin wasn't the only veteran player the special teams coordinator mentioned as a great role model for the younger guys on the unit.
"Miles Boykin has been great in terms of that leadership role, but there's other guys on the roster that also own that role as well," said Ghobrial. "You have a guy like (linebacker) Matt Adams from the interior core that has done that at a high level. You have a guy like (tight end Chris) Manhertz who truly owns whatever role he has. Guys look at those veteran guys and like, 'Okay, that's how it's done. That's how you prepare. That's how you take this serious.' I think we have some really good leadership guys across all our units on special teams."
The Giants Foundation 5K & Kids Run
Register today and run with Giants Legends in The Giants Foundation 5K and Kids Run, Presented by Quest®
