Giants news, 7/30: Safety competition, Connor Barwin, more

Good morning, New York Giants fans! Let’s see what is going on with Big Blue as we get ready for Monday’s fifth practice of training camp, and one that is expected to be the third straight fully-padded one.

Collins not worried about free safety rotation

Four practices, four different starters at free safety next to Landon Collins. Darian Thompson, Curtis Riley, Andrew Adams and Michael Thomas have all gotten turns in the competition for that job.

Collins isn’t concerned about who lines up in that spot.

“I trust all of them,” he said. “They know what they’re doing, they know the calls, they practice it, we harp it. So now I don’t even have to worry about the other side of it. When we have to make a call sometimes they correct me. And with what I have to do because I have a lot on my plate and they know that. We make everything neat.”

Thomas, who came to the Giants after five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, called the rotation “unusual.”

“It’s definitely unusual, definitely different than anything I’ve ever been a part of,” Thomas said after his first-team audition. “I love it, because I’ve never been in a situation like that where literally everybody’s getting a shot. It’s really whoever makes plays, whoever shows up – you getting evaluated, you get a shot to actually be the guy.”

RB coach to Saquon — “Don’t try to do too much”

There are massive expectations for rookie running back Saquon Barkley. Even co-owner John Mara says he is “a little nervous about all the hype.”

What advice can running backs coach Craig Johnson give Barkley?

“The biggest thing is don’t try to do too much every play. The people outside are going to say “I’m looking for a superstar that’s going to have explosive plays and go down the field and make all this.” Don’t worry about that. Just handle what you get. Make sure you make a positive gain on every play. The big plays will come. When the people lift you up, you’re probably not as good as they’re saying you are. And when you have one mistake, you’re probably not as bad as they’re saying you are. You have to stay calm, have to make sure you understand the process and continue the little details of getting better.”

Quotable

— Rookie OLB Lorenzo Carter on veteran teammate Connor Barwin

McGovern glad to be reunited with Barwin

Speaking of Barwin, the new Giants linebacker had 26.5 sacks in three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles under the tutelage of Bill McGovern, now the Giants linebackers coach.

Here is McGovern’s take on Barwin being a Giant:

“It’s great to have Connor here obviously. He’s a true professional, proven leader, good person, just a guy you enjoy having in the room. Again, he adds something to the room. We’re always trying to add guys who can add something to the room.”