As coach Tom Coughlin finished up his three-minute and nine-second parting message to the Giants, Ahmad Bradshaw sprinted off the field. A few minutes later, Bradshaw explained his alacrity in making a quick getaway.
“It’s great to be free,’’ Bradshaw said.
Free is what the Super Bowl champions are, as they concluded a three-day mandatory mini-camp Thursday with a one-hour practice. The rookies will stay around for another week, but that didn’t stop Coughlin from issuing his annual warning as he bid adieu to his veterans until the July 26 report date for training camp at the University at Albany.
“Make sure that you are thinking in everything that you do; everything that you say, every place that you go,’’ Coughlin said. “Be safe, be smart, and let’s make sure that we are all able to get together at the end of July.’’
That message no doubt resonated more forcefully than usual, given the events of the past week, when longtime offensive lineman David Diehl was arrested and charged with drunk driving, a glaring example of what can go wrong.
“Especially young guys don’t understand what this next six weeks is about,’’ Justin Tuck said. “It’s about building off of what we did in this mini-camp and OTAs and make sure we don’t have any lapses.’’
Unlike the Mark Sanchez production of Jets West, There will be no formal Giants passing camp in the coming weeks, but Eli Manning said he plans on getting together with a few of his receivers who remain in the New York/New Jersey area for some throwing and catching, not wanting to go cold-turkey until training camp.
Cornerback Terrell Thomas, coming off knee surgery, is headed home to California, where he said he will test his coverage skills against several veteran NFL receivers: T.J. Houshmandzadah is a regular at this annual West Coast workout, with former USC quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Matt Cassel also in attendance. Thomas said he also plans to work against former Giants receiver Steve Smith.
“He’s a great competitor, a guy I battled with since I was 18,’’ Thomas said.
Coughlin won’t take off as long as his players, but he will get a chance to relax.
“I’ll be excited about the first little bit of time that we get away,’’ Coughlin said. “But give me a couple of days and I’ll start thinking about what is coming at the end of July.’’
Tuck said he enjoyed the limitations in the offseason program, which included far less contact and on-field work than previously allowed under the old collective bargaining agreement.
“I like this CBA, I think this CBA is huge for veterans,’’ Tuck said. “It might put younger guys behind the eight-ball a little bit because they don’t get as much work as we did when we were younger, but I think it’s gonna help prolong a lot of guys’ careers.’’
Second-year CB Prince Amukamara reiterated his goal is to be a starter this season.
“There’s no point in being drafted and sit on the bench,’’ Amukamara said. “I want to be on the field for most of the snaps. I hope that wasn’t a bold statement.’’
Coughlin, asked if he is confident about these Giants, said: “I certainly am. You are talking about the world champions. I have every confidence that they will come back just as inspired to want to play at their very best.’’
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is hoping WR Hakeem Nicks (broken foot) can make it back for training camp.
“I got my fingers crossed; my knees are hurting from praying,’’ Gilbride said.
Perry Fewell said he believes his defense can be better in 2012 than it was last season.
“I found this out about our New York Giant football players is that if they take a stand and they’re mentally into it and I’ll use the term, if they’re ‘all in,’ we can be whatever we want to be,’’ he said.