Let’s face it: the Giants simply don’t have as much fight as the New York Jets.
After watching their inter-stadium rivals throw down on Monday and Tuesday mornings, the Giants had a handful of skirmishes at SUNY Albany on Tuesday afternoon.
But unlike the Jets, who seem to pile on top of each other at a slight hint of violence, the Giants’ shoving matches failed to escalate as players opted to point and laugh rather than join in.
After defensive back Janzen Jackson and middle linebacker Mark Herzlich got tangled on one special teams rep, cornerback Prince Amukamara and wide receiver Domenik Hixon went facemask to facemask for seemingly 30 seconds.
Only one punch was thrown and the pair managed to break themselves apart before anything got too heated.
Coach Tom Coughlin was asked about the scuffles at practice, and gave an honest assessment: “What scuffles?”
Coughlin conceded that the Giants are probably eager to play a team in “another uniform” but doesn’t think the players are sick of each other quite yet.
“I certainly don’t think after 10 practices that anybody is tired of hitting on each other,” Coughlin said.
Sean Locklear gets an education: Sean Locklear isn’t hurting for experience after eight years in the NFL, but by signing with the Giants in the offseason, he says he’s getting a top-flight education from some of the game’s best defensive ends.
“Our D-line is the best d-line in the league,” Locklear said. “So, you know, you have good and bad days, but you just work on it and prepare and you focus on things and get better every day.”
Locklear worked primarily against left end Justin Tuck during OTAs because he was at right tackle. But Locklear moved to left tackle in training camp and now he’s been seeing a steady dose of Osi Umenyiora.
“It doesn’t get any better than that,” Locklear said. “I always tell the young guys, if you want to get better, it’s a prime example right now. You know, it doesn’t get any better than that as far as speed and experience. And he’s known around the game for what he does. I enjoy practicing against him.”
Locklear works against Jason Pierre-Paul as well, so even when Tuck and Umenyiora take a breather, there’s still an All-Pro defensive end to challenge.
Markus Kuhn looks the part: If you had to design a defensive tackle, the 6-4, 299-pound Kuhn would probably fit the mold. Of course, the 26-year-old native of Germany has only been playing the game for a few years, which means he’s extremely raw.
The good news is that he’s shown “flashes,” according to Coughlin.
“He’s a nice sturdy, young man,” Coughlin said. “He’s starving to learn. Very, very good attitude. The kind of guy that we think can be like a sponge. He needs so much information, pretty solid inside. Doesn’t really know a whole lot about pass protection. We have a lot of room to coach him there.”
Kuhn has been getting a look with the first-team field goal blocking unit.
Da’Rel Scott sits again: Running back Da’Rel Scott missed practice because of a “thigh contusion,” which caused his leg to swell.
“It’s his second injury (of camp),” Coughlin said. “That doesn’t help.”
Left tackle Will Beatty (back), linebackers Jacquian Williams (hip) and Jake Muasau (hamstring) also missed practice, along with the players that are on PUP.
Hakeem Nicks runs some routes: Nicks, who is on PUP, stuck a custom orthotic in his shoe to protect his surgically repaired right foot and ran some routes along the sideline at Tuesday’s practice. He didn’t appear to be limited, but there are no plans to take him off PUP list as of yet.
“He’s been doing them over on the side here, running hoops and that type of thing,” Coughlin said. “He seems to be doing pretty well at it.”
Nicks still expects to play in the season opener.
Michael Boley easing back into things: Boley’s hamstring has allowed him to practice for two consecutive days, but the veteran is still taking his time.
“Still got a little ways to go,” Boley said. “Come in every day and continue my treatment. Just trying to get better… It's a process. You can't just jump all the way back in. You've got to ease your way back into it. You don't want to overdo it on your first day back.”
Boley said his hamstring isn’t nearly as bad as it’s been in previous seasons, which he said is encouraging.
Jayron Hosley picks two: Hosley, a rookie out of Virginia Tech, had a pair of interceptions on Tuesday, the second of which was taken in for a touchdown.
And in addition to performing well as a punt returner, Hosley has also shown signs of developing physically and mentally.
“Seems like he is, and seems like he can handle it too,” Coughlin said. “That’s a good thing. He had a nice punt return yesterday, and had a nice interception play today. Good for him. We need for that guy to really come through for us.”
Umenyiora also had an interception in practice. His came along the line of scrimmage and would have also been taken in for a touchdown had the Giants been using the entire field for that particular drill.
The depth chart at kick returner takes shape: The Giants used rookie David Wilson at kick returner on Tuesday (he bobbled one return but looked okay otherwise) as well as Jerrel Jernigan and wide receiver David Douglas.
Of the three, Jernigan probably looked the sharpest, breaking one return for extended yards.
Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSSportsNFLNYG and @AlexraskinNYC.
Giants camp can't match the drama, violence of the Jets
The Giants simply don't have as much fight as the New York Jets.
By
Alex Raskin
•
5 min read