The Giants had an eventful Tuesday practice as they continue to work through the second week of their offseason training camp program.
With seconds ticking off the clock in a closing practice drill, Jaxson Dart took a three-yard scramble into the end zone to cap off a clutch drive. The run raised an issue with the defense, since quarterbacks are not allowed to be hit.
In response, Dart took the ball and flipped it into the helmet of cornerback Greg Newsome, further fueling frustration.
“It’s just them competing,” said tight end Isiah Likely, who intervened during the commotion. “That’s the type of dog you want in a quarterback. And obviously Newsome… I know he’s a dog himself so he’s not going to back down from nobody.”
Head coach John Harbaugh stepped in and enforced a 15-yard penalty on the offense to best demonstrate the consequences of these actions in a real game. Kicker Ben Sauls had to repeat the extra point from a much greater distance.
“[It’s] taunting,” Harbaugh said. “I think [Dart] understands that for the game-winning extra point, we don’t want it to be [from] 50-yards. Do you think I need to say anything [to him] in that case? Pretty clear cut.”
Dart completed 6 of his 14 passes and threw one touchdown in 11-on-11 periods. Although the second-year quarterback remains dynamic and has made numerous highlight plays, he has not been as successful as some anticipated.
One player who has found success is Odell Beckham Jr. The wide receiver received an in-camp “promotion’ and took reps with the starting unit alongside Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin.
“I think he’s doing a good job,” Harbaugh said. “He’s playing well, everybody’s working hard, and so is he.”
Beckham has made numerous impressive catches, including two today in team drills, and has been praised for his ability to consistently get open, even when the ball does not go his way.
“I feel like he looked like [Odell],” Likely said. “The young guys ask him [for advice] … He’s stayed the course and really just honed in, and when he’s out here, he’s giving you the best version of himself.”
Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster missed practice due to swelling in his knee, and Darius Slayton had a reduced workload. Each may have contributed to Beckham’s increased involvement.
Isaiah Likely has put together a strong training game and brought in a red zone touchdown from Dart during team drills. Likely is reportedly favored to be viewed as Dart’s second option in the passing game, behind Malik Nabers.
“They’re able to put me anywhere,” Likely said. “I can line up outside, in [the] slot, in line, in the backfield, I’ve done it all. I’ve called myself the chess piece before in the pass and I feel like I’ve lived up to it.”
Nabers, meanwhile, remained a limited participant in practice but went through the individual drills. The superstar receiver moved with a slight limp at times but remains on the right track.
The offensive line outperformed the defensive line in one-on-one drills, which is an encouraging sign for a unit desperate for improvement. Offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemenor won reps against Abdul Carter and Brian Burns, and Marcus Mbow received opportunities to fill in for Andrew Thomas.
Rookie offensive guard Francis Maugioa had an impressive day as well. The 10th-overall pick won a rep against Abdul Carter and has demonstrated an ability to anchor the interior offensive line. Mauigoa also received some tutoring from Giants legend Chris Snee.
The Giants look to fullback Patrick Ricard to have an impact on the run game this season. Ricard showed why during a 9-on-7 period, when he put defenders on their backs as a lead-blocker, occasionally turning to flex and celebrate towards the sidelines.
Cornerback Deonte Banks has thrived in defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s system. At college and early in his career, Banks found success in zone and press-heavy defensive sets. After Banks struggled playing man defense primarily under Shane Bowen, it is a refreshing opportunity for the fourth-year defender to prove himself.
“I feel like we’ve got one of the strongest cornerback rooms in the league,” cornerback Paulson Adebo said. “I think it’s going to be a really dominant defense.”
The Giants signed cornerback DJ James. The 2024 sixth-round pick appeared in one game with the New England Patriots and played in the UFL this Spring before trying to find a role in New York.
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