Dan Salomone
Minicamp is underway at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Aside from extra meeting time and a slightly different routine, it is largely an extension of the 10 OTA practices the Giants held over the past three weeks. The Giants will return to the field Wednesday for their final practice of the offseason program and break until training camp in late July.
“[It’s a] very important time of year for us in terms of laying that foundation of knowing what to do,” coach Brian Daboll said before practice. “And then once training camp hits, the train’s going quickly, there’s not a lot of time for pulling back, getting another rep. You know, we’re trying to figure out what side the person’s playing on or who they’re playing with. Those are the things for training camp to get answered.”
Here’s what you need to know from Tuesday at minicamp:
TOUCHDOWNS
As if predicting what was to come, Daboll spoke glowingly before practice about the young receivers on the roster, particularly the undrafted rookies. Fittingly, the Giants opened with 7-on-7 drills in the red zone, where 14-year veteran Russell Wilson found Beaux Collins, who went undrafted out of Notre Dame following three years at Clemson, in the back-right corner of the end zone.
Not to be outdone, Louisiana’s Dalen Cambre found the end zone twice during 11-on-11 team drills, one from former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston and another from this year’s 25th overall selection, Jaxson Dart.
“Our young receivers have done a good job,” Daboll said. “I coached receivers for a long time, and we’ve got some undrafted free agents that have done a really nice job since they’ve been here of absorbing it and then being able to play fast so you get some type of evaluation of their skillset. Receiver is a little bit easier at this time of year based on how we do things without the pads on. They’re all a little bit different, veterans included that come in as free agents, but they usually have something to relate it back to that they did it in another system or someone I knew that called it this way. And then you try to put the best product you can.”
Rounding out 7-on-7 drills, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey caught a pass from Dart on the sideline of the end zone. Running back Dante Miller also scored on a pass from Winston.
Daboll assessed Dart’s development this spring.
“He has done excellent,” Daboll said. “He’s picking up the information. It’s really good to have Russ and Jameis and even Tommy [DeVito] because Tommy’s been in the system for a few years here. And he’s kind of the head statesman in terms of that and all the adjustments that take place or the calls. He’s fit right in with those guys. He’s smart. He’s aggressive with the football, which I like. And then the true test will be once we start and there’s live hitting and preseason games and things like that. But he’s progressed since he’s been here to where he is now. He’s made good improvement.”
Wilson threw two more touchdowns in team periods to wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and tight end Theo Johnson, who made a great catch on a perfect throw to the corner of the end zone.
TAKEAWAYS
The turnover chest was nearly opened when defensive lineman Chauncey Golston batted a pass at the line of scrimmage to himself, but he was unable to secure it for the takeaway. Other than that, the offense was clean in the turnover department.
TOP PLAYS
Third overall pick Abdul Carter notched a would-be sack. Fellow outside linebacker Tomon Fox also notched two on back-to-back plays.
Tight end Daniel Bellinger made a nice catch down the sideline on a deep pass from Wilson.
Cornerbacks Tre Hawkins III and Nic Jones prevented touchdowns with pass breakups.
BUY TICKETS
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