The New York Giants opened their annual training camp last Wednesday to what was advertised as a smooth transition from an offseason of tumult and change.
Instead, the Giants found themselves enveloped in a cloud of controversy over the possible suspension of a key free agent addition and spate of injuries to their wide receiver corps.
Here are some winners and loser from Week 1 of training camp.
Winner: Lorenzo Carter
The second-year outside linebacker came to camp bulked up and ready to take on the world. He is being relied upon to take his game to the next level. He’s off to a good start in 2019 with several strong performances at practice which included an interception, excellent defense of the both the run and pass and the most important thing — an increased ability to get after the quarterback.
“That was a heck of a play,” said Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley of Carter’s interception of Eli Manning on the first day of camp. “You have to give credit to Zo. The defense gave me crap for that too because we go back and forth. It was a zero blitz, he was responsible for the running back and I kind of tried to sneak him and dip outside him on the screen. He did a great job of playing it and then made an unbelievable play. Two or three plays before that we had a little reverse and he ran down one of our wide receivers. I’m really happy for that guy, you can see the work he put in. I think he is going to have a tremendous impact for us this year.”
Loser: Corey Coleman
Coleman entered camp the front-runner for the Giants’ No. 3 wide receiver role. His quest to win the position was cut short when he tore his ACL on the first day of training camp and was ruled out for the upcoming season. It’s just the latest career setback for Coleman, the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft who had failed to stick with the Browns, Bills and Patriots before landing with the Giants last season.
Winner: The backup wide receivers
Alonzo Russell, Bennie Fowler and Russell Shepard did not disappoint when called upon in practice after the injuries to Sterling Shepard, Corey Coleman, Brittan Golden and rookie Darius Slayton. The veteran trio made play after play when their numbers were called, providing solace to the rest of camp that the unit is deeper than most believe it to be.
“There’s no deflation at all,” wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said of his group. “Actually, the guys have more excitement in the room, because those guys who normally hadn’t had the opportunity to have a lot of reps get a lot of reps now. They can showcase their ability. There’s a little bit more excitement in the room than I would expect there to be because the guys are more excited about the extra reps they’ll be getting. I’m excited equally about coaching those guys. We’ll give some other guys some other reps, who don’t normally get as many reps. Now you get to coach them more, give them more reps, and it makes it exciting.”
Loser: Golden Tate
Tate is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on the use (or abuse) of performance-enhancing substances. He claims he consumed the substance as part of a fertility treatment he was prescribed in April and is appealing the suspension.
If the history holds true, the league will uphold the ban and Tate won’t begin his Giants’ career until October. Plus, he’s facing fines and a partial forfeiture of the guaranteed portion of his contract.
Tate will almost surely regain a starting role upon his return, but this is not the way anyone expected his Giants’ career to begin.
Winner: Corey Ballentine
The rookie defensive back out of Washburn has been through a difficult ordeal this year, having experienced the death of his best friend, Dwane Simmons, in a shooting incident in Kansas just hours after the Giants drafted him. Ballentine was also wounded in the attack and has rallied back both physically and emotionally to begin his professional career with Big Blue.
Ballentine told reporters he is playing to fulfill two lifetime goals — his and Simmons’ — in a heart-wrenching interview over the weekend. On the field Saturday, Ballentine intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.
“He’s very smart, he’s very instinctive,” said Shurmur. “Each day, he looks a little bit more comfortable. I would say it’s running parallel with two things. Obviously, coming back from the gunshot. And then also just becoming more comfortable in the defense. He made a play yesterday which was good, and he’s generally been in the right spot. He’s been competing. We’re sort of pleased to this point with his progress.”
Loser: Sam Beal
The second-year cornerback arrived at camp intending to go head-to-head with first rounder Deandre Baker for the open slot across from veteran Janoris Jenkins. Eager to show his wares after missing his entire rookie season to a shoulder injury, Beal left practice on Saturday with a groin injury that kept him out of Sunday’s workout.
Beal can’t afford to lose much time this summer with Baker showing he’s every bit the blanket corner the Giants thought they were getting and fourth-round pick Julian Love living up to his billing as well. Throw in strong performances by Ballentine and Grant Haley and Beal better hope he get back soon or risk tumbling down the depth chart.
