New York Giants news, 8/4: Wade in the slot, expectations for Owa, Kennard's label, more

Training camp is rolling along for the New York Giants. Try as we might, each day there is more news and there are more good interviews conducted, than we can keep up with. So, let's start your Thursday by playing catch-up and checking on some best Giants stories from around the Inter-Google.

"Problem-solver" Trevin Wade likes slot

Veteran slot cornerback Leon Hall visited the Giants on Wednesday, but reportedly left the facility without signing a contract. So, who is in the slot for the Giants? Increasingly, that looks like Trevin Wade, the guy who spent more time in that spot last season than any other Giant. Wade drew praise Wednesday from both head coach Ben McAdoo and cornerbacks coach Tim Walton.

Wade told NJ.com's Dan Duggan on Wednesday that he enjoys the slot:

"It's really challenging, you have to think a lot and I feel like I'm a problem-solver so I like being in the slot," Wade said.

"I believe I can get the job done. But if they want to do something else, then I'm cool with that. Whatever they want me to do, that's what I'll do."

Odighizuwa embraces expectations

Owa Odighizuwa had little impact for the Giants as a rookie in 2015 as injuries curtailed his opportunities. He is healthy now and hoping to show that he can become the next in the long line of great Giants' defensive ends.

"I consider myself a competitive person, so pressure is something I embrace," Odighizuwa told NJ Advance Media. "It's something I work with, because in this game, there's pressure everywhere. I always tell myself that the great ones, the ones that want to be great, they embrace everything. They find a way to come through. I'm competitive, and I'm trying to find a way every day to come through, and take the steps I need to take."

"Everybody has a sense of urgency, because of this professional game," he said. "Everybody is competitive, everybody wants a role, wants something. And this defense, we want to be good. Nobody wants to be average. The sense of urgency is high to live up to that expectation."

The Giants need a third pass-rusher to take pressure off Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul. They have been using Odighizuwa in a variety of roles, hoping he will become that third option.

Can Odighizuwa be what the Giants need him to be? ESPN recently ranked him No. 5 on its list of 25 breakout candidates for the 2016 season, saying "his talent is obvious."

Kennard fights injury-prone label

Devon Kennard has missed 11 games due to injury in his two NFL seasons. The linebacker knows he has to overcome the "injury-prone" label he has been tagged with to become the player many think he can be.

"I just don't think it's true,'' Kennard said, pleasantly but firmly. "I don't think it's indicative of who I am. It's an unfortunate stretch. Things came up, there was nothing I could do about it. I don't think it's who I am — I know it's not who I am.''

The Giants hope he's right. In fact, they need him to be right. He remains the one linebacker they have who can rise above being just another guy and become a true force. If, that is, he can stay on the field.

UDFA Greg Milhouse has smart plan

Greg Milhouse surprisingly got first-team reps while defensive tackle Damon Harrison was on PUP. Milhouse has an excellent plan for how to impress the Giants and make the team.

"I'm just staying in my playbook, and learning from those guys," he said. "Those are some great guys in there, so I'm just going to continue to keep my mouth shut and watch."

Marshall Newhouse ignores naysayers

Right tackle Marshall Newhouse is aware of the fact that the fan base isn't happy about him starting, and that the organization keeps trying to upgrade his position. He has learned to shrug it off.

"I see it, but at this point, that's just part of the deal," Newhouse told NJ Advance Media. "I feel like they wouldn't be doing their due diligence as a front office if they weren't doing that. Then also, I can't be hard on myself and thinking, 'Oh, they hate me' or 'They don't want me here.' That's just what's got to happen. At the end of the day, if they want me to compete or if they want to make changes, you've just got to go with it and make the best of that situation."

Myles White the fastest Giant?

The wide receiver says he, Odell Beckham and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie debate which of them is the fastest.

"It's up there between me, O and DRC," White said of Beckham and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. "We always debate about it, but if the numbers say it's me, that's fine with me."

"But in the field of play sometimes you'll know you are on the back side on a run and you're chasing them just to show them ‘I'm here,' " he said. "It's a blessing to be around guys like O and DRC because they're fast as well. You push each other. It's always funny when we see each other hit that next gear, it's like: ‘OK, OK.' It's a competitive thing."

Darian Thompson itching for an INT

Rookie safety Darian Thompson does not have an interception through five training camp practices. The ball hawking safety is bugged by that.

"It's sticking with me a little bit," the rookie safety said of his lack of interceptions. "I'm due."

Thompson has been taking first-team reps at free safety, but isn't taking the job for granted.

"I just have to give the coaches what they're looking for," Thompson said. "Go out there and be a football player, an intelligent football player ... It's been going well. Still learning, still progressing each day. That's my main goal, is to get a little bit better each day. I'm starting to get used to the guys I'm playing around, which is a big deal. I'm just excited for the season, excited to keep progressing through training camp."