The New York Giants held their second padded practice of the 2020 training camp period on Tuesday afternoon. After an intense first day filled with F-bombs and consequential laps, the Giants increased the intensity in session two.
In one physical drill, defenders lined up at the goal line with offensive players lined up several yards out. The goal of this drill was to meet in the middle and try to get into the end zone. With wide receiver Austin Mack facing off against cornerback Corey Ballentine, the two viciously went head-to-head. Ballentine went to the ground holding his shoulder, with medical trainers nearly bringing out a cart to drag him off the field.
Luckily, he was able to get up shortly after, and even return to practice despite the severity of the injury. Drills as physical as these run the risk of injury, but having experience in those situations is essential for success.
#Giants Tuesday practice – Corey Ballentine needed medical help after he was knocked to the ground by Austin Mack in an isolation tackle drill. Was down for a couple of mins and was checked out while sitting on the cart. Ballentine returned for 11 on 11s.
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) August 18, 2020
On a brighter note, safety Xavier McKinney recorded an interception off quarterback Colt McCoy. Moving up to the line of scrimmage, he secured a tipped pass, exciting the defense and showing off his playmaking ability. In 2019 with Alabama, McKinney recorded seven turnovers, including three interceptions and four forced fumbles. The Giants drafted him in the second round to replace Antoine Bethea at free safety, but his ability to move around the defense makes him extremely versatile and valuable.
The ultimate goal is to maximize his talent and apply him in multiple safety positions. With Jabrill peppers and Julian Love also on the roster, the Giants can get creative on defense moving forward.
A bright spot from the New York Giants’ 2nd padded practice:
#Giants Tuesday practice – Xavier McKinney made a steller INT on the right side that excited the entire defense.
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) August 18, 2020
Remember those consequential laps we mentioned? Cam Brown and running back Wayne Gallman ran laps for lack of hustle during practice. Brown specifically was yelled at by LB coach Brett Bielema; he cussed at him as he carried out his laps.
#Giants Tuesday practice – Cam Brown and Wayne Gallman had to run penalty laps.
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) August 18, 2020
My favorite quote following the practice from New York Giants’ Joe Judge:
“If we think the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming here to hug us, we’re sadly mistaken. We have to train these guys to be physical.”
Joe Judge is setting the tone with physical practices—-“the Steelers aren’t coming in to hug us”
The practices are fast and physical. Judge very vocal, dropping F bombs all over the place.
In two years under Shurmur, he didn’t run one practice- physical wise- like Judge.
— The Giant Insider Podcast and Newspaper (@GiantInsider) August 19, 2020
Andrew Thomas was also beaten up by Leonard Williams and Lorenzo Carter. At one point, Thomas was put on his behind by a Carter bull-rush. While he did have some success, he was mostly tossed around by the Giants’ experienced players. Nonetheless, it’s just his 2nd padded practice so there’s nothing to worry about, he will learn as time goes on.
Rookie left tackle Andrew Thomas was worked over pretty good in one-one- drills by Lorenzo Carter, Markus Golden, Kyler Fackrell and Leonard Williams. They seemed to enjoy taking the first-round pick to school, too.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 18, 2020
In one on one pass rush drill, Lorenzo Carter obliterated rookie Andrew Thomas, using a bull-rush to knock Thomas to the ground.
Thomas later had some struggles vs. Leonard Williams. But overall held his own.— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) August 18, 2020
Fight monitor:
Shane LeMieux nearly got into a fight with RJ McIntosh but things were de-escalated.