Giants training camp takeaways, 8/6: Big day for rookie CB Rodarius Williams

The New York Giants held another training camp practice on Friday. Here are some of the takeaways.

Rodarius Williams shines

With starting cornerback Adoree’ Jackson getting a day off, rookie sixth-round pick Rodarius Williams took advantage of an opportunity.

Williams told media post-practice that getting reps against the first team “put a fire inside me competitively.”

“I feel like in this game, you definitely gotta go out there and show guys you’re not scared,” Williams said. “You go out there quiet as a mouse, they’re going to feel like they’ve got the upper hand on you, so I’m definitely going out there even though I’m a rookie and showing them, like, you gotta beat me at the end of the day.”

Saquon Barkley update

This from Ian Rapoport.

I have said this before — Week 3 vs. the Atlanta Falcons is almost one year to the day of the injury. That seems like the longest we will have to wait to see Barkley.

Joe Judge on retirements

Todd Davis. Joe Looney. Zach Fulton. Three veterans signed as free agents all retiring this week. What the heck is going on?

“You have to respect when these guys look us in the eye and say, ‘listen, I really wanted to see if I could push through it, but I don’t think my body’s at that point,’ and you can leave this point in the game with your health,” Judge said. “I’d say all three situations are different. Everyone has a different personal circumstance. I respect all three. We’ve left the door open for all three. These are three good guys who worked hard for us. Listen, I can’t tell you how much respect I have for the players who come in and work hard for us.”

Judge also indicated there may not be as many veterans currently looking for jobs as fans might believe.

“One thing I’ll say that is a little different this year than previous years is there’s more people that you call that are on the street trying to get into camps calling, where the agents indicated that they’re done playing football,” Judge said. “I’d say these are guys with varying ages, but mostly guys that I’d say have six years in the league. You call these guys this time of year normally and everyone’s training and waiting to get to training camp. This year’s just been a different year.”

Offensive line

The offense apparently had a rough day on Friday, and the offensive line didn’t help.

“It wasn’t good,” said starting center Nick Gates. “We’ve got to do a lot better than we did. Some days will be up, some days are going to be down, and you’ve just got to keep an even keel and just keep moving forward.”

Quote of the day

— Placekicker Graham Gano, a high school track star, on kicking off to speedster John Ross

Etc.

• Reports indicated that wide receiver Kadarius Toney, the team’s first-round pick, went through a full practice.
• Per reports, wide receiver Dante Pettis did not practice. He is clearly falling behind John Ross, and perhaps David Sills, in the competition for roster spots.
• Ifeadi Odenigbo, Gary Brightwell and Raymond Johnson III did not finish practice.
• Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was given a maintenance day.
• Rough day for Daniel Jones. Per Zack Rosenblatt, he went 11 of 16 with two interceptions during 11-on-11 drills.
• With the Giants short-handed on the offensive line after the retirements of Joe Looney and Zach Fulton, starting center Nick Gates filled in at guard for a few snaps.