Giants OTA 1: Quarterback depth chart, weather worries, more notes from first practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur moved quickly after Monday’s first OTA to circumvent any idea that there will be a preseason quarterback controversy between Eli Manning and first-round pick Daniel Jones.

“At the quarterback position, we have a starter in Eli and we have guys behind him, specifically Daniel Jones, who need to do everything they can to be ready to play Week 1,” said Shurmur, who was peppered with quarterback questions at the beginning of his media availability. “That’s where we’re at.”

Shurmur also shot down the idea that there might be tension between the 16-year veteran Manning and the rookie drafted to one day succeed him.

“No,” he said emphatically.

Shurmur said Jones is “gonna get reps just like every other player. He’ll be in there competing with the twos, sometimes with the threes.”

Shurmur did, however, say that Jones will get the “majority” of the backup snaps.

Here are some other practice takeaways.

Sloppy offense

Monday was the beginning of Phase 3 of the offseason program, and the first time offensive and defensive players were allowed to work against each other. Neither Manning nor Jones was especially sharp, perhaps not unexpected considering that it’s mid-May and this was the first live practice.

Manning threw a pick that was batted by cornerback Sam Beal and plucked out of the air by Jabrill Peppers. Jones threw a pick 6 that was in the hands of rookie wide receiver Darius Slayton, who bobbled it, popped it into the air and handed cornerback Tony Lippett a gift touchdown.

As an overall takeaway, I thought Jones was indecisive on a few of his throws. I’m not getting alarmed about that — not on the first day of team practice of his rookie season. It was probably to be expected that he would be a bit tentative.

More takeaways

• Several players missed the workout, with the severe storms that hit much of the country over the past 24 hours being blamed for that. Among players missing the workout were Dexter Lawrence, Antoine Bethea and Dalvin Tomlinson were among the missing who were apparently impacted. Eric Dungey arrived late.
• Shurmur said cornerback Sam Beal “looked good out there today.” Beal, who spent last year on IR after being selected in the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft, worked at left corner.

• Rookie Corey Ballentine is “making progress” after suffering a gunshot wound in the rear end during an incident that claimed the life of his friend Dwane Simmons. Shurmur said it is “still gonna be a little bit of time” before he can practice.
• Mike Remmers is “a pro, a real pro,” according to Shurmur. Remmers worked on the side with trainers on Monday as he continues to recuperate from back surgery. “He’ll be ready to go once the seasons starts, for sure,” Shurmur said. Chad Wheeler worked at right tackle with the first team and Brian Mihalik took first-team reps at left tackle, where Nate Solder is out due to ankle surgery Shurmur referred to as a “little cleanup.”