The Giants.com crew discusses the biggest takeaways from the first week of training camp:
John Schmeelk: Wan'Dale Robinson is going to be a big part of what the Giants do on offense if Spring practices and the first week of training camp are any indication. If fans want a clue as to how they are going to use him, look at the different ways he was used when he played for Nebraska and Kentucky.
The offensive is going to be creative in getting the football into the receiver's hands. Robinson can be used like a running back, a traditional outside wide receiver or as a possession-focused slot receiver. Saquon Barkley and Kadarius Toney have the ability to be used in similar ways, which should give head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka the ability to use formation, player placement and motion to keep defenses guessing.
Dan Salomone: When the Giants announced the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the bigger story was about the players who weren't on it to start camp. In addition to those such as Kenny Golladay and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Kadarius Toney was among the group that shed the red non-contact jersey from the Spring. It was a good sign for the former first-round draft choice, whose rookie season was best described stop-and-go due to injuries and time on the COVID-19 list. But it's a new era with new coaches and a new system. All parties involved seem to be embracing the clean state, down to Brian Daboll playing Toney's music at practice.
"I would say I think that's pretty great; I'm not going to lie," Toney, also known as Yung Joka, said. "I need to focus right now. I'm focused on ball right now."
On the field, Daboll has a lot planned for Toney and all the receivers.
"You learn the inside, you learn the outside, you learn the Z, you learn the X," Daboll said. "There's injuries all the time, and people have to step up. I was just meeting with KT this morning about position flex and saying, 'Hey, can I add another position for you? I'm moving you around to this spot. And do you feel comfortable with that? Or is it too much and it will make you play slow?'"
His response: "Oh, yeah." And he had that big smile, Daboll said.
The Giants put on the pads for the first time this season as training camp ramps up.
LB Elerson Smith (94)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
OT Evan Neal (70)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Saquon Barkley (26), WR Darius Slayton (86)
RB Antonio Williams (21)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
RB Antonio Williams (21)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
LB Quincy Roche (95), OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
DB Andrew Adams (24)
WR Richie James (80)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61), LB Quincy Roche (95)
WR Richie James (80)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
LB Blake Martinez (54)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Tae Crowder (48)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Quincy Roche (95)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
LB Tae Crowder (48)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
TE Andre Miller (43)
WR Richie James (80)
TE Andre Miller (43)
TE Andre Miller (43)
CB Khalil Dorsey (31), S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR David Sills V (13)
TE Jordan Akins (88)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Julian Love (20)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
QB Davis Webb (12)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Richie James (80)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LS Casey Kreiter (58)
LB Niko Lalos (57), LB Cam Brown (47), LB Carter Coughlin (52), LB Tae Crowder (48), LB Austin Calitro (59)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (17)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (17)
LB Niko Lalos (57), LB Cam Brown (47), LB Carter Coughlin (52), LB Tae Crowder (48), LB Austin Calitro (59)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (17)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22), S Julian Love (20)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (17)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
OL Josh Rivas (67), OL Roy Mbaeteka (61), FB Jeremiah Hall (27). FB Jeremiah Hall (27)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
DL Leonard Williams (99), G Shane Lemieux (66)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), T Andrew Thomas (78)
DE Jalyn Holmes (91)
LB Quincy Roche (95)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
OL Devery Hamilton (62) , LB Quincy Roche (95)
WR Alex Bachman (81)
WR David Sills V (13)
WR Richie James (80)
WR Keelan Doss (5)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
WR David Sills V (13)
OL Jamil Douglas (77)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
WR Keelan Doss (5)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75), T Andrew Thomas (78)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Davis Webb (12)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
S Trenton Thompson (39)
OL Roy Mbaeteka (61)
QB Davis Webb (12)
S Trenton Thompson (39)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
QB Davis Webb (12)
Lance Medow: The players wore full pads for the first time on Monday and are just settling back into the flow, so there's only so much you can read into training camp practices following the first few days. That's why my biggest takeaways have more to do with how players are lined up and what they say when interacting with the media. On the offensive side of the ball, it's hard to overlook the constant pre-snap movement with personnel hustling across the line of scrimmage and from the backfield to the line in order to get a better read on the defense or make the opposite side of the ball think a bit more. Both the Bills and Chiefs' offenses showcased these characteristics, so it's not necessarily surprising that Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka are implementing that aspect within this new offense.
This is why training camp practices are so crucial because if you're going to involve a great deal of movement before and during the snap, players need to be on the same page and very comfortable with their assignments. This is the time to experiment, see what works and allow the personnel to fully grasp those concepts. It's also a valuable exercise for the defense to be exposed to looks they might see from opposing offenses throughout the season. Speaking of that side of the ball, the most interesting tidbit from Don Martindale's unit is that Xavier McKinney is wearing the green dot on his helmet in order to communicate with Wink. While it's not unheard of for secondary players to assume that role, the more popular choice is a linebacker. However, Martindale leaned on safeties in that spot when he was with the Ravens, so it's simply a continuation of what he's previously adopted. Players such as Chuck Clark and Tony Jefferson are examples of safeties who took on that assignment in Baltimore.
Matt Citak: Following some of the team's off-season roster moves, it was clear that the secondary would be a position group to watch at training camp. Of course we're only one week into camp, but so far the team must be happy with what they've seen from the young defensive backs.
Darnay Holmes has been one of the stars of camp, with an interception in each of the first three practices, a forced fumble and numerous pass breakups. Holmes is competing for a spot in the starting lineup, and so far is off to an impressive start.
"He is out there doing his thing," Adoree' Jackson said this week about Holmes. "Like I said, every day it's not like he is worried about the past or the present. He is just trying to focus on the day by day and getting better. That's what we preach. If you ever hear him talk or ever hear him speak, you know how he carries himself you can tell that's a smart intelligent man. He goes out there and carries it the right way on the field and off."
Holmes isn't the only young DB on the team making a good impression. Aaron Robinson is also facing an opportunity for a more substantial role in 2022, and has made several strong plays throughout the first week of practices. Jackson has been impressed with Robinson's "competitiveness" and work ethic, and there's a decent chance the pair could end up being the Giants' starting outside CB duo this season. Despite being used primarily in the slot at UCF, Robinson spent a lot of time in press coverage, preparing him for the move to the outside.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2022 offseason.
K Ryan Santoso - Waived
S Yusuf Corker - Waived
DB Olaijah Griffin - Waived
WR Keelan Doss - Waived
WR Travis Toivonen - Waived
OL Josh Rivas - Waived
T Eric Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Travis Toivonen - Free Agent Signing
K Ryan Santoso - Free Agent Signing
S Andrew Adams - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Bailey Gaither - Waived, Failed Physical
TE Tanner Hudson - Free Agent Signing
C Chris Owens - Waived
DB Harrison Hand - Claimed (off Waivers from MIN)
WR Jaylon Moore - Claimed (off Waivers from BAL)
WR Collin Johnson - Reserve/Injured
WR Marcus Kemp - Reserve/Injured
TE Jordan Akins - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical
LB Darrian Beavers - Reserve/Injured
TE Andre Miller - Reserve/Injured
TE Ricky Seals-Jones - Reserve/Injured
T Matt Peart - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform
C Nick Gates - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform
OL Chris Owens - Free Agent Signing
OL Josh Rivas - Free Agent Signing
WR Robert Foster - Reserve/Injured
DL Christopher Hinton - Waived
DB Gavin Heslop - Waived
TE Jeremiah Hall - Waived
WR Austin Proehl - Waived, Injured
DB Olaijah Griffin - Claimed (off waivers from BUF)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Passed Physical
Michael Jacquet III - Waived
OL Josh Rivas - Waived
DB Jarrod Wilson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
T Eric Smith - Free Agent Signing
T Matt Gono - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
G Marcus McKethan - Reserve/Injured
T Will Holden - Free Agent Signing
DE Niko Lalos - Waived
DB Nate Meadors - Claimed (off waivers from CLV)
LB Austin Calitro - Free Agent Signing
LB Justin Hilliard - Waived
OT Garrett McGhin - Free Agent Signing
OT Kamaal Seymour - Waived
TE Daniel Bellinger - Passed Physical
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
T Matt Peart - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
C Nick Gates - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
LB Azeez Ojulari - Declared Non-Football Injury
DB Andrew Adams - Free Agent Signing
DE Nick Williams - Free Agent Signing
WR Marcus Kemp - Free Agent Signing
OT Kamaal Seymour - Free Agent Signing
DB Maurice Canady - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
WR Travis Toivonen - Waived, No Recall
DT Jabari Ellis - Waived, No Recall
DB Henry Black - Waived, No Recall
DB Gavin Heslop – Free Agent Signing
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Non-Football Injury
TE Daniel Bellinger - Declared Physically Unable to Perform
DB Dane Belton - Selection List Signing
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Selection List Signing
TE Daniel Bellinger - Selection List Signing
WR Keelan Doss - Free Agent Signing
G Joshua Ezeudu - Selection List Signing
CB Cor'Dale Flott - Selection List Signing
DB Michael Jacquet - Free Agent Signing
S Henry Black - Free Agent Signing
CB Maurice Canady - Free Agent Signing
CB Khalil Dorsey - Free Agent Signing
DE Jalyn Holmes - Free Agent Signing
OLB Kavyon Thibodeaux - Selection List Signing
T Evan Neal - Selection List Signing
LB Micah McFadden - Selection List Signing
DT D.J. Davidson - Selection List Signing
OL Marcus McKethan - Selection List Signing
LB Darrian Beavers - Selection List Signing
DE Ryder Anderson - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
RB Jashaun Corbin - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
LB Tomon Fox - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
TE Austin Allen - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Darren Evans - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
G Josh Rivas - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DT Jabari Ellis - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
FB Jeremiah Hall - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DT Christopher Hinton - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Trenton Thompson - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Zyon Gilbert - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
DB Yusuf Corker - Undrafted Free Agent Signing
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 5) of 2022 NFL Draft
OT Evan Neal - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 7) of 2022 NFL Draft
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 43) of 2022 NFL Draft
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 67) of 2022 NFL Draft
CB Cor'Dale Flott - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 81) of 2022 NFL Draft
TE Daniel Bellinger - Selected in Round 4 (Pick No. 112) of 2022 NFL Draft
S Dane Belton - Selected in Round 4 (Pick No. 114) of 2022 NFL Draft
LB Micah McFadden - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 146) of 2022 NFL Draft
DL D.J. Davidson - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 147) of 2022 NFL Draft
OL Marcus McKethan - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 173) of 2022 NFL Draft
LB Darrian Beavers - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 182) of 2022 NFL Draft
TE Jordan Akins - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OT Roy Mbaeteka - Free Agent Signing
OL Max Garcia - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
RB Sandro Platzgummer - Free Agent Signing
WR Richie James - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
DT Justin Ellis - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
RB Matt Breida - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
LB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OL Jamil Douglas - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
LS Casey Kreiter - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
TE Ricky Seals-Jones - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OL Mark Glowinski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
QB Tyrod Taylor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OT Korey Cunningham - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing
OL Jon Feliciano - Free Agent Signing
DB Jarren Williams - Exclusive Rights Signing
WR Robert Foster - Free Agent Signing
WR C.J. Board - Signed, Prior to becoming a Free Agent
OL Matt Gono - Free Agent Signing
WR David Sills V - Signed
TE Chris Myarick - Free Agent Signing
WR Austin Proehl - Free Agent Signing
QB Davis Webb - Reserve/Future Signing
P Jamie Gillan - Reserve/Future Signing
RB Antonio Williams - Reserve/Future Signing
WR Alex Bachman - Reserve/Future Signing
DE Niko Lalos - Reserve/Future Signing
WR Travis Toivonen - Reserve/Future Signing
DT David Moa - Reserve/Future Signing
OT Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing
LB TJ Brunson - Waived, No Recall
DT Antonio Valentino - Waived
QB Brian Lewerke - Waived
DE Raymond Johnson III - Waived
DB Jordan Mosley - Waived
LB Trent Harris - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
LB Omari Cobb - Waived
OL Wes Martin - Waived
TE Jake Hausmann - Waived
TE Rysen John - Waived
CB James Bradberry - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
DB Logan Ryan - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
TE Kaden Smith - Waived
P Riley Dixon - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
RB Devontae Booker - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
TE Kyle Rudolph - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
Giants Fan Fest returns to Metlife Stadium
Free and open to the public, the Giants Fan Fest will feature a Blue & White intrasquad scrimmage, autographs by Giants Legends, and a fireworks show.
