OTA number four is in the books and here's who stood out at practice:
CB Corey Ballentine
He might not have made any spectacular plays, but the fact that Ballentine was out there makes him a standout. He had been held out of drills against an opponent as he recovered from a gunshot wound he suffered the weekend of the draft. Last week, his activity level was increased, and his mobility impressed enough to get him on the field during the team portion of practice on Tuesday. He played outside cornerback with the third team.
CB Henre Tolliver
During half-line pass drills at the start of practice, Tolliver got his head around, rose up and knocked away a deep pass intended for Corey Coleman from Daniel Jones. It prevented what otherwise would have been a big play on a good throw from Jones. During the final seven-on-seven period of practice, Tolliver grabbed an interception on a Jones' pass that deflected off the receiver's hands.
WR Sterling Shepard
On a day with wet conditions and rain throughout most of practice, Sterling Shepard didn't drop a pass. He had a couple of bobbles, but always came down with the football. Despite precarious footing, he showed the ability to separate and make the catch time and time again. He has been the toughest player to cover throughout OTA's.
S Antoine Bethea
On the first play of the "Team Period" portion of practice, Bethea made the most of an opportunity when he came up with an easy interception on an errant Eli Manning throw intended for Sterling Shepard. Bethea is constantly communicating on the field, and he is working with Jabrill Peppers to make sure the two presumptive starting safeties are on the same page.
Groundskeepers Rob Davis and Greg Oxnard
As practice continued despite a fairly steady rain, the two men charged as caretakers of the grass fields got to show off what a good job they do. Despite the wet conditions, players were rarely on the ground, and the grass was very firm with very few divots from the players' cleats. The footing was firm and Davis and Oxnard deserve credit for it.
