The New York Giants completed their seventh OTA of the summer today. There were a few standout plays and players in today’s practice. In particular, some of the young bucks and rookies on offense continued to stand out and build on a strong summer of OTAs.
Wan’Dale Robinson continues to shine
Second-round rookie draft pick Wan’Dale Robinson is continuing to turn heads at practice. He and Daniel Jones connected on a highlight play once again as Robinson scored a touchdown in the red zone. He then doubled down, scoring a second touchdown on a pass from Tyrod Taylor later in practice in a fourth-down situation.
“We have a very clear vision for the player and look forward to utilizing him,” coach Brian Daboll said after the draft.
Daboll added, “I think he can play inside, and I think he’s strong enough and fast enough, even though he’s a smaller, shorter guy, that he can contribute outside, too. Again, what we’re trying to do is put as many generating pieces out there to create pace and stretch the field, whether it be vertical or horizontally, and this is another good guy that has ability to run after the catch, which is an important aspect of it.” – Head Coach Brian Daboll on Wan’Dale Robinson via Giants.com
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Depth developing in the secondary
The Giants recently signed some veteran defenders to provide depth to Wink Martindale’s new defense. Cornerback Maurice Canady was signed recently. Canady is a player who has connections to Martindale as a former 2016 sixth-round draft choice by Baltimore. Canady ended practice with an interception during a two-point conversion situation.
Julian Love ascending into the starting role
Fourth-year defensive back Julian Love is finally in-line for a starting position. The 2019 fourth-round pick has moved all over the Giants’ secondary the past three seasons. He has started games as free safety, strong safety, outside cornerback, and slot cornerback. Yet, Love has never had a full-time gig as a starter and has been used more as a utility, fill-in player. His versatility is crucial and now after the departures of former starting safeties Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers, Julian Love could be ascending to a starting safety position. Love had great coverage in the red zone and forced an incompletion during today’s practice.
“Dependable, smart, plays tough on tape,” Daboll said of Love last week. “I think he’s done a good job in his group. Been a good leader for us, good communication with X (Xavier McKinney) out there. It is really a pleasure to be around. Seems like we can use him in a lot of different roles and he’s, I’d say, ready for that challenge in terms of understanding the playbook and being able to perform it out there on the field up to this point.” – Brian Daboll on Julian Love via Giants.com
Receivers making plays
Aside from Wan’dale Robinson, some other offensive playmakers got stood out in today’s practice. Wide receiver Austin Proehl and tight end Chris Myarick caught short touchdowns, both from Davis Webb. Additionally, Darius Slayton made a spectacle of a catch along the sideline. Giants.com described the acrobatic catch:
“Wide receiver Darius Slayton had the highlight of the day, corralling a pass that was tipped near the sideline. Slayton showed good concentration staying with the redirected pass and managed to secure it in stride.” – Giants.com
Despite rumors that the Giants could be shopping Slayton earlier this offseason, he has remained with the team and has “done a good job” during OTAs according to head coach Brian Daboll:
“He’s been dependable,” Daboll said of Slayton earlier in OTAs. “He’s known what to do. He doesn’t talk a whole lot. Pretty quiet guy but a pro. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, how he handles his business both on and off the field. He’s done a good job.” – Brian Daboll on Darius Slayton via Giants.com