The New York Giants held their fifth of 10 OTA practices on Wednesday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Here are the standouts from OTA No. 5:
CB ELI APPLE: It was a good day to be a Giants cornerback. Eli Apple started off a dominant day for the group with an interception during "half-line" drills, which are essentially three-on-three periods. The Giants need the former 10th overall draft pick to bounce back after a 2017 season full of lessons for him and the team.
"I have heard things about it, but I see a talented, young kid, personable, one of the dudes I have connected with," said sixth-year defensive back Michael Thomas, who signed with the Giants this offseason. "I haven't seen what I heard about last year. When you are losing, I don't care what team you are on, it is tough. It is tough. True colors come out and some things get blown out of proportion. He is a dude that is going out there competing and making plays. He is willing to get better. I have heard from a bunch of teammates that he is willing to get better. Last year, he would not have done that. He is really getting better. That is what I have seen so far."
CB MIKE JONES: It was also a good day to be a former Temple defensive back. With safety Sean Chandler making plays earlier this spring, fellow Owl and undrafted rookie Mike Jones had his biggest day yet and notched a pair of interceptions. The first came in the half-line drill mentioned above, and the second came in the red zone. Jones also broke up a third pass in between the picks.
WR STERLING SHEPARD: Amid the swarming defensive backs, Sterling Shepard still managed to flash his playmaking ability that has been somewhat overlooked in an offseason that included the arrival of Saquon Barkley, a new offense, a revamped offensive line, and the continued rehab of Odell Beckham Jr. Nevertheless, Shepard racked up the receptions today off throws from Eli Manning. With all of the injuries to the receivers last season, Shepard relished having the opportunity of playing more on the outside and shedding the label that he is strictly a slot receiver.
"That's been that way since college," Shepard said. "I feel like I've proven that I can play outside and just try to handle my business. I know that I can play outside and we will soon see."
CB B.W. WEBB: When he signed in the middle of March, the Giants became the seventh team that B.W. Webb has played for in some capacity since the Cowboys originally drafted him in the fourth round in 2013. Now he's trying to find a permanent role. An interception on Wednesday helped his cause.
CB CURTIS RILEY: With an assist from fellow cornerback Donte Deayon, Curtis Riley snagged the final interception of the day late in practice at the goal line. Signed early in free agency this past March, the six-foot, 190-pound Riley has played in 11 career games, all with the Titans over the last two years. He grabbed his first career interception in his first game of the 2017 season.
DE KERRY WYNN: With the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense under James Bettcher, returning defensive ends are getting used to dropping into coverage like outside linebackers. Wynn looked pretty comfortable today. After batting down a pass at the line of scrimmage, he followed up with a deflection in coverage during a blitz period.
Remaining OTAs: May 31, June 4-7. Mandatory Minicamp is June 12-14.
