Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen issued a challenge to his players on the morning of June 12, the final day of spring practice.
"I want to see guys grab these opportunities," Bowen said before the team dispersed, "and run with them."
At the time, Bowen was a little more than four months into his new job, the same one he held for the previous three years with the Titans. Bowen had seen improvement but "not enough" in his view.
"I think it's going to be more telling come August," he concluded.
Now the time has come. The calendar flipped to the month that will end with the announcement of the 53-man roster, meaning coaches need to start seeing separation in heated competitions.
"I have [seen that]," Bowen said Thursday morning. "I think they accepted the challenge going into the offseason. I'm very pleased with how they came back in shape, ready to go. I feel like there's been good recall from the spring in terms of what we're asking them to do, and guys are making plays. They've shown up. It's been various guys as we've went here, but we're kind of starting to see guys show up, making plays, and give themselves a chance to earn a bigger role."
The Giants will suit up for their preseason opener against the Detroit Lions next Thursday night. Leading up to the game at MetLife Stadium, the intra-conference opponents will hold joint practices for the second consecutive year, with the Giants hosting this time around.
Bowen knows next week will be a "big tell" for his defense, especially the cornerbacks going against a Detroit passing attack that ranked second in yards a year ago.
"I think it's a competitive group right now," Bowen 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."
The Giants had a vacancy to fill opposite former first-round pick Deonte Banks this offseason. Cor'Dale Flott has lined up outside while Nick McCloud has worked inside and outside.
"I think with both those guys, there's versatility," Bowen said. "So, just trying to find the best pieces for us as it relates. Nick's been kind of doing a little bit of everything so far in camp. He's been outside some. He's been inside some. He's played some money for us on third down. So, I think the thought process initially was let's put Flott out there. He hasn't really played out there at this level up to this point. He played a lot inside last year. So, let's put him out there and let him get his work there, and see what we got, see what we have with the versatility aspect of that, and that will continue to evolve with both of those guys as we kind of work our way through here."
It gets even more interesting behind them.
While second-round pick Tyler Nubin missed time with a calf injury – the rookie returned to practice today – Dane Belton has put his stamp on the safety competition along with Jason Pinnock.
"I think obviously we want them all out there," Bowen said. "We want them all out there practicing. It's tough to improve when you're not practicing. It is. And 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. … 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."
The front four, meanwhile, is where it all begins for Bowen. Three-quarters of that equation is solved with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Finding the final piece of the puzzle to play inside with Lawrence might prove to be the toughest decision of the summer.
"They're battling," Bowen said. "That D-line competition is as strong as any competition on our team right now. I feel like we've got really good depth. And right now, as it stands, there's going to be some good football players that don't make this team in that room, and they're battling. So, it'll be interesting to see how that shakes out."
The 53-man roster must be finalized by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 27.
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)
More notes from Thursday at training camp:
*Veteran offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, a Long Island native who signed with the team this week, is "happy to be back in the Northeast, close to home. Excited to be a part of this organization and add value where I can."
Van Roten is also happy to be back with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and guard/tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. The three of them spent last season together on the Raiders.
"I had my best year of my career with Carm. So happy to be back around him. He's a great 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 being here, familiarity, a little bit, with the system it just felt like a natural fit for me.
"I played right [guard] most recently. 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."
*Linebacker Bobby Okereke, a respected leader on the team, had high praise for rookie defensive backs Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips.
"I think Tyler Nubin has a great head on his shoulders," Okereke said. "Obviously, he's been out, but you can feel his presence. He's a vocal guy. He's a smart guy. And Dru, I love Dru. I didn't realize how much [he weighs], 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."
*On a scale of one to 10, special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said the new kickoff rules are a "seven" in terms of how different it is for players and coaches to learn. That's why all eyes will be on the Hall of Fame Game between the Texans and Bears.
"There's always been studies based off of expected points where you get the ball at, field position," Ghobrial said. "With special teams, it's undeniable that it is the game of field position where you position the offense, where you position the defense, directly correlates to whether you can prevent somebody from coming out with points or, when it's your team, score points. So there are, obviously, yard-line studies based off of expected points and everything. With this new kickoff rule and kickoff return rule, I think, ultimately, the strategy comes into play once we actually practice it in a game to know what you're actually seceding when you kick a touchback, how that feels. Let's say your offense does get a first down, but then has to punt. What does that feel like to the opponent? What does that feel like to you? That's where this game is going to be very, very revealing, the first preseason game and the game tonight, obviously."
In preparation, Ghobrial has drawn up 50 different return possibilities.
"Now, does that mean that I'll be able to have all 50 come into action? I don't believe so," he said. "I think, ultimately, the foundational piece of your kickoff return scheme has to start simple. I think a lot of people will be simple to start in preseason, and that will ultimately tell you how complex you can get with your scheme in a few games."
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