New York Giants practice takeaways: Offensive line unit, Evan Engram, Ryan Connelly, highlights

The New York Giants enjoyed their first padded practice of the 2020 season, and with the regular season under a month away, things are intense. Head coach Joe Judge and his coaching staff have been extremely vocal during practice, throwing around F-bombs and teaching in a loud manner. Seeing them active and displaying their wisdom is exactly what you want to see in a coaching staff. Bringing intensity to practice ultimately carries over to games.

While there was plenty of rust to go around, several Giants’ players made fantastic plays. We also got a glimpse of what several starting units might look like.

Here’s a look at the starting OL group:

LT: Andrew Thomas

LG: Will Hernandez

C: Spencer Pulley

RG: Kevin Zeitler

RT: Cameron Fleming

With Nate Solder opting out of the 2020 season, incumbent Cam Fleming is expected to solidify a starting position. Drafting Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick plugs him into the left tackle spot rather seamlessly. However, Nick Gates, who has been training under center, started with the second team during the first padded practice. I imagine he will be swapped with Pulley as things progress, allowing him to feature against starters.

Additionally, New York Giants’ third-round pick Matt Peart seems to be filling out a bit in terms of muscle mass. His biggest knock was his lack of size, but adding more weight on should give him an opportunity to earn a few starting reps this year if need be.

Two injured players, Evan Engram and Ryan Connolly, both looked good and were moving around well during practice. This is a significant development considering both finish the 2019 season on injured reserve. Engram experienced a midfoot sprain, which required surgery, and Connelly tore his ACL against the Washington Football team in week four.

Some more welcomed factors: consequences.

Judge is implementing penalties for mistakes, attempting to bring the best out of his players, and demand greatness. Ultimately, harsher consequences should lead to more discipline and a more perfectionist-approach. This is certainly an old-school method, and it has worked well with Judge’s former teachers.

Running back, Saquon Barkley said after practice, ”we’re really focused on being a detailed team,” Dan Salomone of the Giants reports.