Monday marked the start of Phase Three of the Giants offseason program.
Phase Three will last four weeks as teams are allowed to conduct a total of 10 days or organized team practice activity, or "OTAs". No live contact is permitted but 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.
The Giants' offseason will conclude with a mandatory minicamp from June 7-9.
Monday's practice served as the first opportunity for veterans and rookies to take the field together at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Here are some notes from Day 1 of OTAs:
*Daniel Jones seems to have developed nice chemistry with wide receiver Collin Johnson. The two connected on several passes throughout practice, including a couple of impressive catches by Johnson in the corner of the end zone during 11-on-11s.
*Guard Shane Lemieux practiced on Monday and participated in team drills. He was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 1 last season but appears to be making progress towards being ready for the upcoming season.
*It was a surprise to some in the media to see safety Yusuf Corker go undrafted last month. Corker landed with the Giants as a free agent, and on Monday the safety made the defensive play of the day. The former Kentucky Wildcat intercepted a pass which he then took the other way for what would have been a significant gain.
*Jamie Gillan had some towering punts throughout practice. Gillan, a lefty nicknamed the Scottish Hammer, joined the Giants this offseason while Riley Dixon was released.
*Speaking of special teams, the Giants had numerous players fielding punts on Monday, including rookie wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Other punt returners included Darius Slayton, Sandro Platzgummer, Adoree' Jackson, Darnay Holmes, Jashaun Corbin, Austin Proehl and Richie James.
*At one point during practice, Saquon Barkley was doing a hand-eye coordination drill with director of coaching operations Laura Young. Young would stand behind Barkley while tossing the ball over his head, forcing Barkley to react quickly in order to catch it.
*Towards the end of practice, rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger had the offensive play of the day as the fourth-round pick made an impressive grab in the end zone. Despite his limited usage in the passing game at San Diego State, Bellinger had some of the best hands in the entire country at the tight end position. He dropped zero passes in 2021, and his 4.2 percent drop rate throughout his collegiate career was the lowest among tight ends drafted last month.
*Running back Antonio Williams has an explosive first step. During 11-on-11s, the former Bills RB also showed his hands and made a great one-handed catch on a pass from Davis Webb.
*Jon Feliciano saw time at the center position Monday. The eight-year veteran is looking to start at center this season for the first time in his NFL career.
*Robert Foster made a couple of nice catches during 11-on-11s, including a leaping touchdown grab from Webb.
*Undrafted rookie tight end Austin Allen truly stands out from everyone in terms of his height, but especially among the other tight ends. Allen is listed at 6-9, four inches taller than any other TE on the roster, and towers over most guys on the team.
*Undrafted rookie tight end Andre Miller showed great speed on a drill, catching passes from Webb and Brian Lewerke. He was joined in the TE group by fellow undrafted rookie Jeremiah Hall, listed as a fullback, who displayed quick feet.
*Daboll patrolled the practice field Monday, spending time with all three sides of the ball. At one point towards the end of practice, the team participated in what the coaching staff called "fourth quarter conditioning." Daboll locked on the defensive linemen, who would get in their stance, rush forward, and then have to sprint in the opposite direction. Games are won and lost with conditioning, especially late in the game with the pass rush. After the exhausting drill, though, Daboll was the first person out on the field handing water bottles to his players.
