East Rutherford, NJ—-The New York Giants’ training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center had its first day in pads today, and it proved to be a sweltering test of both physical endurance and skill. The heat was relentless, adding another layer of difficulty to an already intense practice.
On the offensive side of the ball, Daniel Jones had a mixed performance. The Giants’ starting quarterback struggled with accuracy, completing just 4 of 13 passes. This inconsistency was partly due to the fierce defensive pressure applied by defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches and OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Their relentless pursuit and disruptive play made it difficult for Jones to establish a rhythm and find his receivers. Even though the receiver corps dropped a few passes to his credit.
“Today, I would say, it was a little bit up and down. We would have some good times and then we would have some lows. Just trying to be consistent each and every day and just continue to get better, ” wide-out Wan’Dale Robinson said after practice.
The G-Men early in the day signed Greg Van Roten, a veteran guard who has extensive starting experience and something they greatly need.
Van Roten, 34, played every game as the starting right guard for the Raiders last season. This year, he reunites with Carmen Bricillo, who served as the offensive line coach in Las Vegas in 2023 and has since been hired by Brian Daboll as the Giants’ O-line coach, marking their fifth such change in as many years.
It’s not yet clear where Van Roten is going to play, but it will be somewhere on the interior, said Daboll.
“I can see him playing any of three spots that we need inside: Left guard, right guard, center,” the Giants coach said at the press conference.
Despite the challenges in the passing game, there were notable positives for the Giants’ offense. Running back Devin Singletary emerged as a bright spot. Singletary displayed impressive agility and vision, breaking off several strong runs. His ability to find and exploit running lanes was crucial in advancing the chains and keeping the offense moving.
The defensive front’s dominance and Singletary’s effective running were key highlights of today’s session. As the Giants continue to adjust to the increased physicality of padded practices, it will be important for both the offense and defense to refine their strategies and execution. Tomorrow promises another opportunity for growth and adaptation as the team pushes forward in their preparation for the upcoming season.
