The physicality at practice increased on Monday as the Giants put on pads for the first time this summer.
Coach Brian Daboll met with the media prior to the players taking the field, while rookie cornerback Dru Phillips and veteran quarterback Drew Lock spoke to reporters afterwards.
Here are five things we learned Monday.
1. Simmons is 'a freak of nature'
When rookies first enter the NFL, it's important for them to have some veterans within their position group that they can lean on. First-year cornerback Dru Phillips told reporters Monday that he leans on a variety of them for guidance, starting with cornerback Nick McCloud and safety/linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
"There are a lot of guys, in different aspects," said Phillips. "But, from my position, you have guys like Nick McCloud and Isaiah Simmons. Those two guys, they're older. They've been doing it, especially Nick. He teaches me so much. Anytime I have a question, I go ask him. He's been nothing but a great leader and role model for me."
Speaking of Simmons, the 26-year-old has been lining up in numerous spots so far during training camp. As defensive coordinator Shane Bowen mentioned in one of the early episodes of "Hard Knocks," one of those positions is nickel corner. The versatile defender, who measures in at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, has experience playing in the slot from his days with the Arizona Cardinals. While it isn't typical for someone that size to play nickel, Simmons' incredible athleticism allows him to stick with smaller receivers in coverage, something that has left Phillips impressed.
"In the spring, I was looking at him and thinking, 'How is he going to do this?' He's just so big but you see him out there covering guys like (wide receiver) Wan'Dale Robinson and what not," the rookie corner said. "It's surprising. But he's a freak of nature and he's blessed for the talents that he's got."
View photos from Monday's practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
T Jermaine Eluemunor (72), G Jon Runyan Jr. (76), G Austin Schlottmann (65)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) and CB Deonte Banks (3) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Dennis Houston (88)
Brian Daboll talks with TE Chris Manhertz (85) 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) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) and WR Jalin Hyatt (13) 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) vs OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jon Runyan Jr. (76) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
QB Drew Lock (2)
CB David Long Jr. (20)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB David Long Jr. (20)
DL Ryder Anderson (90) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
T Jermaine Eluemunor (72), G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
TE Chris Manhertz (85)
TE Tyree Jackson (84)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
TE Jack Stoll (89)
RB Jashaun Corbin (35)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
QB Drew Lock (2), RB Dante Miller (25)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
T Jermaine Eluemunor (72)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), T Andrew Thomas (78)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), T Andrew Thomas (78)
DL Timmy Horne (96), T Yodny Cajuste (70)
DL D.J. Davidson (98), G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), T Andrew Thomas (78)
DT Casey Rogers (91), ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Joshua Miles (77), OLB Brian Burns
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93), G Aaron Stinnie (64)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
CB Breon Borders (26)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38), WR Gunner Olszewski (80)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), OLB Brian Burns
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Boogie Basham (55) signs autographs following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
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CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Dru Phillips (22)
DB Tre Herndon (23)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
OLB Boogie Basham (55) signs autographs following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Micah McFadden (41) signs autographs following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51) signs autographs following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Breon Borders (26)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (36)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Dante Miller (25) 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 )
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
OLB Brian Burns (0) signs autographs following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
RB Dante Miller (25) 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 )
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
TE Jack Stoll (89)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) vsT Joshua Miles (77) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
RB Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), OLB Brian Burns
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
WR Malik Nabers (9) and Mike Groh during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
OLB Benton Whitley (48) OLB Azeez Ojulari (51) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
DL Timmy Horne (96) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) vsT Joshua Miles (77) during Training Camp practice 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 at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
Brian Daboll talks with OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants huddle during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
LB Matthew Adams (49)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17) 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 )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Casey Rogers (91) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) vs T Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), ILB Dyontae Johnson (54),ILB Darius Muasau (53) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DB Elijah Riley (34) 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 )
T Joshua Miles (77) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll talks with 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 Dante Miller (25) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll talks with 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 )
S Gervarrius Owens (39) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58) during Training Camp practice 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 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 )
CB Tre Hawkins III (37) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Jacob Saylors (28) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) T Jermaine Eluemunor (72) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), ILB Dyontae Johnson (54),ILB Darius Muasau (53) 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 )
Brian Daboll and DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) battles with OLB Brian Burns (0) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Gunner Olszewski (80) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) vs T Jermaine Eluemunor (72) 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 )
OLB Brian Burns (0) vs T Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jalen Mayfield (62) vs DT Jordan Phillips (99) 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 )
QB Drew Lock (2) 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 )
DT Casey Rogers (91) vs G Jalen Mayfield (62) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jake Kubas (63) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Boogie Basham (55) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Aaron Stinnie (64) 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 )
DT Jordon Riley (95) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jalen Mayfield (62) vs DT Jordan Phillips (99) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Brian Burns (0) vs T Andrew Thomas (78) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Elijah Chatman (94). Vs T Marcellus Johnson (71) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Devin Singletary (26) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Boogie Basham (55) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Dennis Houston (88) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Dennis Houston (88) 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 )
OLB Benton Whitley (48) vs T Joshua Miles (77) 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 )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) signs autographs following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Dennis Houston (88) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
2. The pads come on
On the fifth practice of training camp, the Giants put on pads for the first time this summer. While contact is permitted throughout all of training camp, there's no denying the physicality increases once players put pads on. While these padded practices are certainly important for the preparation for the regular season, Daboll told the media that the players must continue to practice the right way without letting the pads lead to anything unwarranted.
"You have pads on, there should be a lot of energy," coach Brian Daboll said Monday morning. "But, you have to get good at your craft. It's playing with good pad level, good feet, good hands, still taking care of one another. There's obviously an added element to the contact part of it, but we don't want to practice bad habits and, again, it's training camp. It's hot, it's competitive. There's always going to be some type of shoving and things like that, but we want to practice the right way, and carry those habits onto the field."
Padded practices lead to increased importance on the OL-DL drills, both in individual and team drills. Andrew Thomas and Brian Burns went up against each other several times throughout practice, with both players winning some reps. The Giants will be back in pads on Tuesday.
3. The WRs have 'a deep skill room'
A lot has been made about the performance of Malik Nabers in the first week of camp, and rightfully so as the 21-year-old has made some great catches each day. But the rookie wideout is far from the only person in the wide receiver room that has gotten off to a strong start this summer.
Quarterback Drew Lock played with the starting offense in team drills during spring practices as Daniel Jones was still recovering from last year's knee injury. With Jones fully cleared at the start of camp, Lock has been primarily throwing to the second-team offense. This has led to the backup quarterback throwing passes to just about every receiver on the team over the last few months, which has Lock very excited about the group.
"I've been very impressed with all the guys on this team," Lock told the media. "Nabers has done a great job coming in and picking this system up. Slay (Darius Slayton), Wan'Dale (Robinson), Isaiah (Hodgins), all the Isaiahs. There are so many Isaiahs on this team. Bryce (Ford-Wheaton). Being able to have a little bit of both. Work with the ones, the OTAs, and now the twos here. It's a deep skill room. It's a deep skill room at wide receiver. It's fun."
Another member of the room that's made some impressive plays over the first week is Jalin Hyatt. The 22-year-old has gotten behind the defense and caught deep passes from Daniel Jones on a near daily basis this summer. Daboll complimented Hyatt's maturity heading into his second season.
"He's highly competitive," Daboll said about the second-year receiver. "At receiver you have to be a mentally tough player. You could be open 10 times and not get the ball and it's the 11th time when you're… 'Man, I was open on these 10 times,' and then something either good or bad could happen. That's a growing process for any young receiver. It's one of the positions you can do everything right and not get as many touches as you want to get based on coverage, matchup, pressure in the pocket and whatever it may be, and that's something that he's grown with."
4. Lock 'not afraid to push it'
Over his first four seasons between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Drew Lock displayed a strong arm during his limited opportunities. More importantly, the 27-year-old showed a willingness to take chances down the field and no hesitation in throwing the ball into tight windows. This was clearly a factor in the organization's decision to sign him this offseason as the backup quarterback.
"He's been to a couple different places. He's had some things early on in his career that he's had to learn from and grow from," the head coach told reporters. "He's got some good experiences. He did a good job backing up (quarterback) Geno (Smith) obviously at Seattle. Mature. Got some size and got enough athletic ability. He's not afraid to push it and throw it in some tight windows. We talked with him, thought he'd be a good fit for us, and he's done a good job since he's been here…
"There's not many big windows. So, you got to play on time, can't have any fear, you got to be aggressive and not reckless, is what we say in the quarterback room. He's shown that on tape and we've watched him do some of that."
5. Daboll's ability to scheme guys open
Upon watching the first week of practice, it's clear the Giants' wide receivers have had a strong start to camp. While the players themselves deserve most of the credit, there is no denying that Daboll has played a role in their success.
"I think he does a great job of getting guys open in the spots where we can get the ball into playmakers' hands," Lock said. "If we can scheme things up to get the ball out, whether it's a quick game or a play-action pass downfield, he knows where to put guys. He knows where to put guys in the right spots, how to get them open, how to motion, how to shift, how to set defenses up. If you can get all that done before the ball is even snapped, with shifts and motions and tells, that makes it easy for us.
"I think he does a fantastic job of that. It's been fun to be in this offense. The NASCAR, playing up-tempo, up fast, reminds you of the college days a little bit. It's just been fun. It's been a blast to be in this offense. Like I said, he gets the ball in the guys' hands in great spots, and that's all you can ask for."
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