Giants news, 6/7: Nikita Whitlock gets bigger, Victor Cruz takes a fall

Let's catch up on some of the things others are talking about following Monday's OTA for the New York Giants, the last of which will have media access.

Beefed-up Whitlock still dreams of playing DT

New York Giants fullback Nikita Whitlock is 25 pounds heavier than he was wen the 2015 season started, back to his college playing weight of 265 pounds, and told ESPN's Dan Graziano that he is "praying every night" the Giants let him play more defense this season.

"That's my natural weight, 260," Whitlock said. "Cincinnati [where he first went as an undrafted free agent] wanted a smaller guy to run routes and stuff, but then I'm here last year and I'm looking around. Henry [Hynoski] was like 270 at one point. I can play fullback at the higher weight." ...

"I just look at myself as a tool," Whitlock said. "On offense, I've got the hammerhead, and on defense, I've got the nail remover. So whatever job they need done, I'll do it."

Practice reports

At Inside Football, Pat Traina says rookie safety Darian Thompson had an impressive day Monday.

NJ.com's James Kratch offers pretty much the same observation about Thompson.

Giants.com also offers its own perspective on the workout.

Victor Cruz takes a tumble

NJ.com's Jordan Ranaan offer up a scary video of Victor Cruz crumpling to the ground while doing a drill on the side Monday. Cruz, who slipped, got up and finished the drill.

Grid View

• Eli Apple works against Geremy Davis Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Odell Beckham takes a break Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham watch Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• B.J. Daniels throws a pass Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Landon Collins works a catching drill with help from Odell Beckham Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Victor Cruz runs with a member of the staff Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Anthony Dable Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Darian Thompson Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Eli Manning adjusts his helmet Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Eli calls signals Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Eli Manning throws with the NYC skyline in the background Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Eli Apple Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• B.J. Goodson Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Brett Jones tries to block B.J. Goodson Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Odell Beckham covered by Janoris Jenkins Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• JPP gets some water Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Ben McAdoo Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Ryan Nassib during a drill Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Rashad Jennings Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Roger Lewis tries to catch a pass Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Darian Thompson makes an interception Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Nikita Whitlock Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports
• Will Johnson catches a pass Photo by Ed Mulholland -- USA Today Sports