Giants news, 8/2: Andrew Thomas, first public practice, more

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

New York Giants Tackle Andrew Thomas Eyes Continued Growth in Second Season - Sports Illustrated

Andrew Thomas expressed confidence and an increased knowledge of the game while talking to reporters this week.

“I would say to start off, just with my set,” he said. “Just being more confident in my set, understanding my landmarks, where I have to get to, understanding who I’m going against, and understanding the different protects. Knowing where I have to be, and I put myself at a position.”

And in what’s no doubt going to be music to Jones’s ears, Thomas believes his pass set has significantly progressed from last year.

“Just understanding the landmarks, like how many kicks I take, depending on whether he’s a five-technique or a nine-technique, if it’s a quick protection, the type of set I used, stuff like that,” Thomas said.

Training camp videos

The Giants practiced in front of 2,000 high school and Pop Warner football players in Newark to celebrate the reopening of Eddie Moraes stadium. Video highlights have popped up all over social media:

A Way Too-Early New York Giants 2022 Mock Draft - Sports Illustrated

There’s no way these predictions will come true, but it’s an interesting way to assess New York’s current roster. The Giants have five picks in the first three rounds next year, and SI predicts they will take four defenders and a tight end.

Ranking the 7 Most Improved Teams of the 2021 NFL Offseason - Bleacher Report

7. New York Giants

Notable Additions: WR Kenny Golladay, CB Adoree’ Jackson, RB Devontae Booker, TE Kyle Rudolph, WR Kadarius Toney, Edge Azeez Ojulari

The New York Giants still don’t know what they have in quarterback Daniel Jones. The Duke product passed for 24 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as a rookie but took a significant step back in year two. He tossed 11 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and had a passer rating of only 80.4.

New York’s offseason has mostly been about supporting Jones. Adding veteran receiver Kenny Golladay should give Jones the No. 1 target he has lacked. Kyle Rudolph will complement Evan Engram at tight end, while rookie Kadarius Toney can add some wrinkles to the offense as a gadget player.

With Golladay, Rudolph and Toney in the fold, Jones should have a quality perimeter target, another reliable mid-level target and a weapon who can turn bubble screens and swing passes into big plays. That could be huge as running back Saquon Barkley continues to make his way back from a torn ACL; he could miss two to six weeks of the regular season, according to The Athletic’s Virginia Zakas.

The addition of running back Devontae Booker shouldn’t be overlooked either. He can help carry the load early, spell Barkley once he returns and help keep the former Penn State superstar healthy.

New players such as Adoree’ Jackson and Azeez Ojulari should bolster a defense that ranked 12th overall in 2020. Jackson has 41 games of starting experience. Ojulari, while a rookie, should boost a pass rush that was reliant on defensive lineman Leonard Williams last season—no other player logged more than four sacks.

However, the biggest improvement came in the offensive supporting cast New York has put around Jones.

In case you missed it

• ‘Things I think’ after Week 1 of Giants training camp
• John Ross knows health has been his biggest obstacle
• Photo gallery: Giants training camp, Week 1
• Giants add former Cowboy center Joe Looney to their 90-man roster

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