First-round pick Andrew Thomas is the first person you will pick out to watch at training camp.
John Schmeelk: Fact - Without the benefit of seeing OTAs and learning the basics of what Joe Judge and his coaching staff want to do, there is so much I want to see. I will certainly be watching Daniel Jones closely, but I am more anxious to see him in game situations than in practice. Thomas is a logical choice, assuming we are talking about the first padded practice. He needs to be good enough to step in right away and be a starting-caliber offensive tackle in the NFL. If we are including unpadded practices, my eyes will immediately jump to see how well James Bradberry can cover the Giants' array of elusive wide receivers. He needs to play at a very high level this year for the secondary to perform well.
Dan Salomone: Fiction - The statement says person, not player. Let's see Joe Judge in action for the first time as a head coach. If his first six months have shown us anything, it's that his practices will be no-nonsense and detail-oriented. As a whole, this coaching staff seems like, for lack of a better term, a bunch of football junkies. How they establish a culture is definitely the first thing I will watch.
Lance Medow: Fact - I'll likely go back and forth between Andrew Thomas and Xavier McKinney because both players were high draft picks having to learn new schemes and adjusting to life in the NFL in a most unique off-season. I'll give Thomas the slight edge because he was the fourth overall pick and with that slot, comes high expectations. It's also going to be very interesting to see where the Giants line him up for the first time at training camp. Will he be on the right side? Will he be working with the first team? How will he handle going up against some of the best defensive linemen on the team? The answers will provide a glimpse into what we can expect moving forward.
Take a look at rare photos of New York Giants training camps through the years.
New York Giants offensive linemen Kareem McKenzie (67), Chris Snee (76), Shaun O'Hara (60), Rich Seubert (69), and David Diehl (66) break huddle during football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, July 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, left, shares a laugh linebacker Pepper Johnson during the team's training camp on July 31, 1993 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) looks for a receiver during the second day of practice at the Giants training camp in Pleasantville, N.Y., July 28, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning passes during practice at the Giants' training camp at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
All-pro linebacker Lawrence Taylor foreground, works out with his New York Giants teammates on Sunday, August 15, 1983 in Pleasantville, N.Y.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning arrives at football training camp at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Tackle Roosevelt Grier, right, and line backer Harland Svare, left, of the New York Giants football team tune up their guitars following a "skull session" at Bear Mountain, New York, training camp on August 27, 1959. Rookie quarterback Lee Grosscup, watches. (AP Photo/Arthur Z. Brooks)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (97) practices with linebacker Antonio Pierce (58) at the Giants football training camp in Albany, N.Y. Saturday, July 28, 2007. With him are E.J. Underwood, left, and Antonio Pierce, right. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants football players Corey Webster, left, Sam Madison and Will Demps, right, enjoy a laugh on the sidelines during a practice session at the Giants' training camp in Albany, N.Y. Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants tight end Kevin Boss attempts to catch the football at Giants NFL training camp Sunday, July 29, 2007, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Allie Sherman, coach of football's New York Giants, poses at the team's training camp, Aug. 3, 1964 at Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress speaks with reporters after arriving at the Giants football training camp in Albany, N.Y. Friday, July 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giant Corey Webster tosses a ball during an evening practice session at the Giants training camp in Albany, N.Y. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end Andy Robustelli (81) poses for a photo during training camp at Fairfield University at Fairfield, Ct., 1962. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Giants football linebacker Antonio Pierce smiles at Giants NFL training camp Sunday, July 29, 2007, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
First-round draft pick Hakeem Nicks arrives for the start of New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan works out at the Giants' training camp in Albany, N.Y. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer arrives at football training camp at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants center Dusty Zeigler (52) and linebacker Jesse Armstead (98) scuffle during training camp drills Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, in Albany, N.Y. Pete Monty, left, tries to break up the action. (AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants tackle David Diehl, left, trades a high five with a young fan as her father holds her during autograph day following a team practice at the New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants rookie running back Ron Dayne runs through drills during training camp, Saturday, July 22, 2000, in Albany, N.Y. Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner was the Giants first round draft pick this year.(AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs arrives to football training camp at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y., on Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning runs wind sprints at Giants NFL training camp Sunday, July 29, 2007, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan takes a break during training camp drills, Sunday, July 23, 2000 in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
The New York Giants' Super Bowl trophy is placed on display during a news conference in Albany, N.Y., on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, as the Giants prepare to begin their summer football training camp. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, left, tries to evade cornerback Corey Webster (23) during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, July 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross signs autographs for fans at Giants NFL training camp Sunday, July 29, 2007, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich (94) during NFL training camp practice on July 31, 2016 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) looks for a receiver during the second day of practice at the Giants training camp in Pleasantville, N.Y., July 28, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws during practice at the Giants football training camp, Saturday, July 28, 2007, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants offensive linemen Rich Seubert, left, and Chris Snee perform a drill during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants quarterback Kerry Collins, right, signs autographs after training camp, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2000 in Albany, N.Y. The Giants ended their fifth year of camp at the University of Albany today, and have a new three year contract to return.(AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor wears a smile as he comes out of the team's locker room to start practice at the Los Angeles Rams training camp at Anaheim, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 24, 1987. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants players Keith Bulluck (53) and Osi Umenyiora (72) walk to practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs runs with the ball during the Giants' football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith arrives at football training camp at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is besieged by autograph-seeking fans after a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kicker Joe Danelo of the New York Giants pushes the pedals of his exercise bike at the Giants training camp Saturday, Aug. 2, 1982 in Pleasantville, New York. (AP Photo/Paul Burnett)
New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles kicks the ball at the Giants' training camp in Albany, N.Y. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin talks to players during practice at the Giants' training camp at the University at Albany in Albany, N.Y. Friday, July 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
Osi Umenyiora speaks with reporters as he arrives for the start of New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants practicing during training camp on Sunday July 28, 2013 at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive back Carl "Spider" Lockhart (43) poses for a photo during training camp in Fairfield, Ct., 1974. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Ahmad Bradshaw arrives for the start of New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
Justin Tuck arrives for the start of New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants tackle Roosevelt Grier, who has made several popular recordings, sings as his teammate Erich Barnes plays the piano at Bear Mountain Inn, Bear Mountain, New York on Dec. 26, 1962. The Giants have been traveling from Bear Mountain to nearby West Point for indoor drills in preparation for the National Football League title game with the Green Bay Packers at New York's Yankee Stadium on December 30. (AP Photo)
New York Giants quarterbacks Eli Manning (10) and Andre Woodson walk to the practice field during football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, July 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells talks with reporters during the first day of NFL training at the team's training camp on the campus of Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y., July 28, 1987. Parcells, who coached the Giants to the 1987 Super Bowl championship, started the team training out with emphasis on weightlifting, sprints and rookies. The entire team is due to arrives by Friday when squads will practice together. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
Fullback Alex Webster of the New York Football Giants poses at the team's training camp in Fairfield, Conn. Sept 3, 1963. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Giants guard Chris Snee, center, blocks players on all sides during the Giants' training camp in Albany, N.Y. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer is mobbed by fans seeking autographs after training camp, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2000, in Albany, N.Y. The Giants ended their fifth year of camp at the University at Albany today, and have a new contract to return for three more years. (AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants defensive back Antrel Rolle (26) is shown at the New York Giants football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants all-pro linebacker Lawrence Taylor goes through training camp exercises after reporting to the Giants camp in Pleasantville, N.Y. on Sunday, August 14, 1983. (AP Photo/David Handschuh)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) signs autographs for Holt and Kirstin Wooddell of Burgaw, North Carolina at the Giants training camp at Fairleigh Dickinson University, July 19, 1988. (AP Photo/Hal Brown)
The New York Giants practice during NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 1, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. with the New York City skyline in the background. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton, left, talks with quarterback Jason Garrett during training camp, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, in Albany, N.Y. Payton was named offensive coordinator by coach Jim Fassel during the off season and will be the Giants play caller this season. (AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, passes as tight end Jeremy Shockey covers at the Giants' training camp in Albany, N.Y. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs talks with some fans during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants offensive tackle Lomas Brown, left, works against Cedric Jones during training camp drills, Monday, July 24, 2000 in Albany, N.Y. Brown is a sixteen year veteran originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1985. (AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn, left, gets instruction from head coach Jim Fassel during training camp drills, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000 in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Dave Oxford)
New York Giants practicing during training camp on Sunday July 28, 2013 at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants players finish drills during NFL football training camp Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants practicing during training camp on Sunday July 28, 2013 at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks past his huddle during NFL football training camp Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) and teammates during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara wears a bandage during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010. The bandage is a mimic to one that Giants quarterback Eli Manning is wearing after suffering an injury in a pre-season game against the New York Jets. (AP Photo/Tom Canavan)
New York Giants fans watch practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants coach Bill Parcells, right, and place kicker Eric Schubert (3) stroll through a light drizzle delaying their workout at the Atlanta Falcons training camp at Suwanee, Ga., Aug. 8, 1986. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)
New York Giants Eli Manning (10) and Mario Manningham (82) talk during NFL football training camp on Sunday August 7, 2011 at the Timex Performance Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) signs autographs for fans at the New York Giants football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora (72) and Chris Canty (99) walk to practice during NFL football training camp on Saturday August 7, 2010 at the University of Albany in Albany, NY (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz catches a pass during NFL football training camp Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Osi Umenyiora (72) talks with Justin Tuck (91) during NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants Dave Tollefson (71) during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants linebacker Zak DeOssie walks to practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants fans during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants first-round draft pick, tight end Jeremy Shockey works out during his first practice at the Giants' summer training camp in Albany, N.Y., Tuesday, July 30, 2002. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants defensive ends Justin Tuck (91) and Jason Pierre-Paul (90)perform a drill during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11), left, talks with Giants offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt during training camp at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J., July 22, 1988. (AP Photo/Hal Brown)
New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce talks to reporters during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants quaterback Eli Manning (10) signs autographs at NFL football training camp on Thursday August 4, 2011 at the Timex Performance Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants Victor Cruz runs a play on the first day of NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, August 1, 2010 (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning walks the field after practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants players walk to practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants fullback Madison Hedgecock signs autographs during football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants offensive linemen Shaun O'Hara (60), David Diehl (66) and Kareem McKenzie during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Offensive lineman David Diehl #66 of the New York Giants signs autographs following practice at training camp on Monday August 3, 2009 at the University of Albany in Albany, NY (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning signs autogrpahs after practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants fans watch practice at the University at Albany during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning passes during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, right, reaches out to fans on his way to practice during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants talks tobhis teammates after practice during football training camp on Monday August 3, 2009 at the University of Albany in Albany ,NY (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree drinks some water during NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Kevin Dockery arrives at New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
Cornerback Corey Webster #23 of the New York Giants breaks up a pass during practice during football training camp on Monday August 3, 2009 at the University of Albany in Albany ,NY (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning signs autographs for fans at the New York Giants football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara gets ready to snap the ball during football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Ahmad Bradshaw & Michael Strahan New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Alumni Michael Strahan, Ahmad Bradshaw, David Diehl & David Tyree New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Ahmad Bradshaw & Michael Strahan New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
QB Daniel Jones (8) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Quaterbacks Kyle Lauletta (17), Alex Tanney (3), Eli Manning (10), and Daniel Jones (8) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Defensive line drill at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
QB Daniel Jones (8) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
QB Daniel Jones (8) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants participate in Training Camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants participate in Training Camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen talks with former NFL coach Bill Cowher during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with Osi Umenyiora during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Brian Daboll Head Coach
QB Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll fist bumps quaterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Head Coach Brian Daboll, Eli Manning,
New York Giants Daniel Jones (8) celebrates a touchdown pass with head coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday July 30, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
T Andrew Thomas (78), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (78) signs autographs following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
WR Darius Slayton (86) during training camp practice on July 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with Dan Campbell during a joint training camp practice with the Detroit Lions on August 8, 2023 in Allen Park, Michigan (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24)) strips the balll during a joint training camp practice with the Detroit Lions on August 9, 2023 in Allen Park, Michigan (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
K Graham Gano (9)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24)) strips the balll during a joint training camp practice with the Detroit Lions on August 9, 2023 in Allen Park, Michigan (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
TE Lawrence Cager (83), QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Eli Manning, Brian Daboll Head Coach
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a joint training camp practice with the Detroit Lions on August 8, 2023 in Allen Park, Michigan (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Phil Simms during training camp practice on August 15,2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Deonte Banks (36), WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
Joe Schoen and Eli Manning watch training camp practice on July 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
The best one-on-one camp matchup will be Darius Slayton vs. James Bradberry.
Schmeelk: Fact - It is hard to put either Daniel Jones or Saquon Barkley into individual matchups. So let's look at the receivers, and odds are that Slayton and Bradberry will be the most common matchup outside since Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard are expected to spend a lot of time playing inside. This matchup will indicate how big of a jump in production Slayton might be ready to make in his second season, and how impressive Bradberry will be locking up opposing teams' best wide receivers. I'm also eager to see the three safeties - Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney and Julian Love – match up against Evan Engram in pass coverage.
Salomone: Fiction - How about the quarterback of the offense vs. the quarterback of the defense? That, of course, is Daniel Jones vs. Blake Martinez. Everyone on their respective side of the ball will be looking to them on the field as both units adjust to new schemes. The team has done the best it could during the virtual off-season, but it's a whole different ball game when it's live in practice, let alone games.
Medow: Fact - James Bradberry is the new face in the secondary and the big splash the team made in free agency and Darius Slayton is coming off a very impressive rookie campaign. Will Bradberry solidify one side of the field in the secondary? Will Slayton pick up where he left off in 2019? I can't think of a more effective way to get some hints than watching them go up against one another during camp. Given the youth in the secondary, specifically at corner, there's no better test for Slayton on a daily basis than Bradberry and vice-versa.
The sleeper draft pick to watch this summer is LB Carter Coughlin.
Schmeelk: Fact - I thought about picking Cam Brown, but Coughlin's pass-rush production and impressive athletic profile (9.8 RAS score) make me more interested to see how he adjusts to the NFL. Coughlin's 20.5 sacks over his last three college seasons show a player that can get to the quarterback, but he weighs under 240 pounds. It is hard to be an edge defender and play on the line of scrimmage in the pros without weighing closer to 250. I am eager to see how he can translate his impressive athleticism and pass rush ability to become a good NFL player.
Salomone: Fact - Let's get this out of the way. No, he is not. And no, he has not.
"No, I've never met [Tom Coughlin], and we are not related," Coughlin said, "but I've got a bunch of people that have been asking me that over social media."
Coughlin, a seventh-round draft choice, can make a name for himself with the Giants. Versatility is the name of his game, much like the rest of the first draft class with Joe Judge as head coach. At Minnesota, Coughlin played the team's "RUSH" position, which is hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end. It allowed him to drop into coverage, get after the quarterback, play off tight ends and make plays near the line of scrimmage.
"[Coughlin is] a guy that gives us more speed on the edge," Judge said. "He brings some length with him. He plays with a high motor and a lot of aggressiveness. He was productive in Minnesota's scheme and with the way we are going to play guys on the edge in different packages, he's someone with a lot of value."
Medow: Fact - Any player who collects 22.5 sacks in his four-year college career shouldn't be overlooked and that's exactly what Carter Coughlin did at Minnesota. The stats jump off the page and the fact that he was a seventh-round pick makes him a huge sleeper. Coughlin was a very active and opportunistic player for the Golden Gophers, recording 40 career tackles for losses and eight forced fumbles. His versatility could prove to be a huge asset for the Giants as he's played on and off the line of scrimmage and contributed on special teams. As a late-round pick without the luxury of much on-field work before the season starts, most of Coughlin's opportunities will likely come on special teams.
Installing an offense takes more time than it does on defense once players get on the field.
Schmeelk: FACT!! The defense is always a little bit ahead of the offense when camp gets started. There are a lot more moving parts to an offensive scheme, and more continuity that needs to grow between the players. Since most of the team's skill position players are returning from last season, the issue might be mitigated a bit, but it probably won't disappear. The new offense might not get their first on-field reps going full-speed until the middle of August and only three weeks or so until the start of the regular season. Utilizing walk-throughs to help learn the scheme before unpadded practices are allowed will be essential to getting everyone integrated into the new scheme from a mental standpoint. It could also help hasten on-field execution.
Salomone: Fact - Both take thousands of reps to master, but I think drive and determination can flatten the learning curve more on the defensive side. And those traits don't require knowledge of a playbook. As Super Bowl champion safety Antrel Rolle used to say, "See ball, get ball." Meanwhile, for example, a wide receiver can hustle all he wants, but if he isn't on the same page as the quarterback, who isn't on the same page as the offensive line, who isn't on the same page as the offensive coordinator, then the whole thing falls apart.
Medow: Fact - I think it's fair to say that even if you have both sides of the ball returning from the previous season, the defense is usually ahead of the offense. The offense is all about the timing between the quarterback and the rest of the parts - from the offensive line to the running back and the receivers. When it comes to the classroom, you can have everyone completely understand the scheme but the question remains: Does it translate to the field? That's not to say timing on defense doesn't matter, but that side of the ball is more about physicality, emotion, hustle and simply being relentless. If someone is out of place or misdiagnoses a play, it can impact the defensive execution; but there's also a way to make up for those mishaps.
On offense, the wide receivers and tight ends are at the mercy of the quarterback because they can only do so much without the ball. The quarterback needs the offensive line to execute in pass protection and the same thing can be said for the running back - one glitch in the process and the play is probably doomed.
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