Rookie minicamp is over for the New York Giants, and although it’s difficult to come away with any type of concrete impressions, there was a lot to learn from this past weekend.
Here’s a look at some of the top takeaways:
Eli Manning has gotten the message
When the Giants selected Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, it sent a clear clarion call throughout the football world that they are finally beginning to move on from Eli Manning at quarterback after 15 years.
Jones took the field wearing No. 8 and looked very comfortable running plays from the Giants playbook. Granted, these were non-contact drills but onlookers got to see in person what the Giants’ brass had been telling them: Jones has the goods and we’re betting our future on him.
Manning has been very quiet since the draft. Head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters that Eli is handling things with his normal business-like approach.
“He has had no response,” Shurmur said of Manning. “I will say this again: I have never been around a person that can stay in the moment better than Eli. That is something that is really unique about him. He is staying in the moment and training to have a terrific season. He looks really good out here throwing, moving and doing all the things necessary. It is his second year in the system, so he knows what we are doing.”
Dexter Lawrence is an every-down player
The Giants’ second of three first-round picks, Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, wowed reporters with both his size and his presence. He is every bit of the 6-foot-4, 340 pounds listed on the program. Now, the Giants hope he plays up to his size.
“The first thing that jumps out about Dexter is he’s a pretty big man,” said Shurmur. “He’s got a feel for things. He’s a guy that can play the run and rush the passer. We’re looking forward to getting him going. When you pick a guy from Clemson, and he’s played on the biggest stage there is in college football. The other thing that struck me is this isn’t going to be too big for him. We’re looking forward to getting him going.”
Lawrence is projected by many to be a “two-down” player. Both he and the Giants dispute that. He is an every-down football player who believes he can be on the field for most of the game.
“I think I can play all three positions. From the shade or the three-technique,” he said. “I feel I can play anywhere. I feel comfortable today out there. I felt pretty comfortable playing all three positions. I kind of did that in college as well. We’d learn multiple, so I’m kind of fluid with it and comfortable with it.”
The X-Man is a breath of fresh air
The Giants’ third-round selection in this draft, Old Dominion edge rusher Oshane Ximines (nicknamed the X-Man by Shurmur), is a combination of two former Giants defensive ends. He has the appearance of Olivier Vernon and the personality of Osi Umenyiora.
Ximines was taken with the 95th overall selection in the draft, one of the picks the Giants received from Cleveland in exchange for Odell Beckham Jr.
“I remember when I saw the Odell trade happen. At the time, I didn’t think it was going to be me, but it is,” he said. “All I can be is myself. I can’t be anybody else but myself, and that’s what I plan on keep doing.”
When Ximines got the call from a New Jersey number on draft day, he thought it was the Jets calling since they were on the clock. He said he was pleased to find it was the Giants, who informed him he was their pick at No. 95 overall.
“I was surprised. I didn’t think they were going to pick me,” he said. “I didn’t have a visit here or anything like that. New York is somewhere I wanted to go because I had roots here. When I got the call, it said New Jersey on the caller ID. The Jets were on the clock, I think, so I thought it was the Jets. When I picked it up, it was New York.”
Baker and Love are a package deal
The Giants traded back into the first round to secure Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker, the top shutdown corner in the draft. Then, three rounds later, they lucked into Notre Dame’s Julian Love, another talented corner.
Little did they know the two had created a bond throughout the draft process and not only are they teammates, but they’re also roommates.
“A few times before becoming Giants, we were finalists for some awards,” Baker said. “I spent a weekend with him and got to know him a little bit. We kind of shelled out stories. He is a good guy and a good teammate. I am happy to be with him.”
“I met him at the All-American Award banquet and the College Football Awards,” Love said. “We were both finalists and he won, so he has that over me. We are roommates right now at the hotel. He is a good dude. We are bonding right now more and more as the days go on. He is a great guy and we are building.”
“We picked them for reasons, they are both very good players, but they both do things just a little bit different,” Shurmur said. “Love’s more of an inside player, safety type or interior type guy, who can play outside. And DeAndre is an outside corner who can play inside, so that’s a good thing.”
The Giants have a slew of versatile players in camp
Special teams and versatility have been very important to the Giants since Dave Gettleman took the reins as the general manager. He looks for players that can bring multiple talents to his roster.
In camp this year will be Eric Dungey, the Syracuse quarterback who can offer a wildcat dimension aspect to the offense, Mississippi State defensive back Mark McLaurin, who can double as a linebacker at 212 pounds, and linebackers Ryan Connelly and Joesph Tauaefa, two aggressive players who will provide depth and production on both the defense and specials.
Throw in the fact that Lawrence, defensive backs Julian Love and Corey Ballentine, and offensive lineman George Asafo-Adjei can all play multiple positions, the coaching staff will have more flexibility to mix and match this season.
