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The Giants' first padded practice is in the books. Granted, it was only shoulder pads, but that didn't stop the players from getting physical.
Cracking Pads
As was noted in the open thread, Beason predicted that the first padded practice would be "Eye-Opening"
Well, rookie linebacker delivered early with what might have been the play of the day:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And we've got a pancake! Devon Kennard draws HUGE scream from teammates as he flattens a teammate. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a></p>— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connor_J_Hughes/statuses/492727242821079040">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Pads are cracking at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/giants?src=hash">#giants</a> practice. Devon Kennard with a big takedown <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/giants?src=hash">#giants</a></p>— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanRaanan/statuses/492727551144378368">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kennard hit Bennett Jackson so hard in st drill he lifted him into the air. Must be a USC-ND thing.</p>— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomRock_Newsday/statuses/492727723509678080">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And here's the hit (via Giants.com)
The rookie set the tone, and the rest of the defense didn't disappoint:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Defense dominate the first team period. Drops, forced fumbles, Ayers batted down Eli pass. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nyg?src=hash">#nyg</a></p>— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPost_Schwartz/statuses/492737174438420481">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Talley beats DRC on curl. Rodgers-Cromartie, turns and runs through talley as pass is delivered to break it up. Nice and physical <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a></p>— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connor_J_Hughes/statuses/492733657161805824">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bennett Jackson having his best practice. Two tough pass defensed on series. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a></p>— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connor_J_Hughes/statuses/492734846226022401">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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(If you can't make it out, Ryan Nassib completed the pass to Mario Manningham (he's #86 now). Walter Thurmond to tripped but made up for it by immediately forcing the fumble.
But that's not all, the young defensive linemen stepped up too:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Damontre Moore continues his really strong camp. 4 practices... 4 sacks. Just had another would-be on Nassib <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a></p>— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connor_J_Hughes/statuses/492743118228176896">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And another. That's two would-be sacks for Moore today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a></p>— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connor_J_Hughes/statuses/492743197592797185">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Damontre Moore and Johnathan Hankins combine to stuff a run on the right side with 2nd team. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYG?src=hash">#NYG</a> would be thrilled if that becomes routine.</p>— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) <a href="https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/statuses/492743189984325632">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Despite a practice dominated by the defense, there were a few bright spots for the offense.
First, Odell Beckham did some work today:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Beckham was catching off a juggs machine today, but still not practicing.</p>— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomRock_Newsday/statuses/492757398994833408">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Not practice reps, but still more than standing on the sideline. Coughlin went on to add that Beckham was feeling "Frisky" ...I'm not sure I want to know what that means.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Coughlin says Beatty is coming along and he's doing more than he was originally supposed to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a></p>— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connor_J_Hughes/statuses/492754299403788288">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And now for your moment of Zen... Eli gonna Eli:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Eli Manning tangled up w/ Andre Williams on inside run + hits the deck. Next play fires strike btw Rolle/McClain to Randle 4 TD <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYG?src=hash">#NYG</a></p>— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) <a href="https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/statuses/492748772816871424">July 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And with that the first week (okay, 4 days) of practice is in the books, and the Giants are off until Sunday.
What Have We Learned?
- The defense is playing fast and physical, and by all accounts is ahead of the offense right now. That's not surprising, as the new offense is still gelling, and probably will be for a little while.
- Young guys are stepping up! Devon Kennard and DaMontre Moore seem to be the early stars of camp, welcome news for anyone worried about the Giants' linebackers and pass rush.
- Will Beatty is a full participant, and by reports playing well. That's excellent news for the whole offense.
- Nobody has taken the starting tight end job yet. The Giants seem to be giving all five of their options a chance to run with the starting offense. The competition might not start to shake out until a preseason game or two is played. But the good news is that despite position on the "depth chart" Adrien Robinson is getting plenty of opportunity to prove himself
- In one of the surprises of training camp, there's an actual competition for the kicker job. Sophomore Brandon McManus has been a perfect 8-8 (all over 40 yards) the last two days and has shown off a booming leg. There are reports of McManus launching kicks from more than 40 yards out and the ball clearing a portable camera tower behind the uprights.