New York Giants 2013 Training Camp: Day 3 practice report

The third day of training camp practices for the New York Giants was highlighted by a terrific battle between two young, developing players the Giants desperately need to step up in 2013 -- third-year cornerback Prince Amukamara and second-year wide receiver Rueben Randle.

It's impossible to declare a winner in their one-on-one contest. Each player had his moments.

-- Early in 11-on-11 drills Randle snared an in-cut from Eli Manning, using his size and his hands to keep the ball away from a well-positioned Amukamara.

-- Later in practice Randle made a terrific catch, reaching high to snag a pass at the sideline with Amukamara again in perfect position.

-- On one play Randle got a step on Amukamara deep down the left sideline, but failed to haul in a Manning pass that hit him perfectly in stride.

-- Amukamara's best play vs. Randle was forcing the wide receiver outside on a go-route, giving Manning no place to throw the ball except out of bounds.

Each player also had a couple of other moments when matched up with other players.

Randle split Corey Webster and Antrel Rolle to catch a deep touchdown pass. In fairness to both defenders, Ryan Nassib let this pass fly long after he would have been sacked in game conditions.

In two-minute work, Randle caught a slant for a touchdown with safety Stevie Brown closest in coverage.

Amukamara had a highlight play when he reached in with his left hand to slap down a slant pass intended for Kris Adams.

"Prince competed like heck, he really did, and that's what we're trying to get done," Coughlin said. "He's rising to the occasion, he's being more and more competitive."

Now, let's talk about some of the other action.

Injury Notes

Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was limited a day after leaving practice early due to tightness in his groin. Coughlin did seem concerned about how much time Nicks has missed.

"We just want him out there competing and practicing," Coughlin said. "He has not practiced and he really needs to get out there."

More Practice Highlights

This was not a good day for backup quarterbacks Curtis Painter or Ryan Nassib.

Painter threw interceptions to Jayron Hosley and Tyler Sash, both on balls where it appeared there was no receiver in the same zip code.

Nassib wasn't any better. His first two throws of the day were badly off target, and he also threw a pair of interceptions. Laron Scott grabbed one on a ball that was dropped by Keith Carlos. He also had a pass intercepted in the end zone by Junior Mertile during two-minute drills near the end of practice.

David Carr was immune to the interception party, throwing one to Aaron Ross on a quick pass intended for Jerrel Jernigan.

Marvin Austin flashed into the backfield on a couple of plays, but the defensive tackle also got bent backwards by Stephen Goodin trying to rush the passer on one play.

Linebacker Jacquian Williams, who still appears to be running behind Spencer Paysinger in the competition for the weak-side linebacker job, batted down two passes. Paysinger made a nice play of his own, blanketing Bear Pascoe and knocking away a Manning pass on a quick out.

Ramses Barden made several intermediate catches working against the likes of Trumaine McBride anbd Terrence Frederick.

Jernigan hauled in a few short passes and drew some oohs and aahs from the Quest Diagnostics Training Center crowd by flashing some speed on a nice punt return.

Damontre Moore found his way into the backfield a few times, continuing an impressive start to training camp.