With the lockout raging on and no contact with his new team, Prince Amukamara admitted, “Every day I just get more anxious” as his Giants career is put on hold.
As a cornerback taken in the first round of the NFL Draft out of Nebraska, Amukamara wants to do everything he can to push for immediate playing time. But with NFL business closed down, all he could do was work out in Nebraska and wait for a call summoning him to New Jersey.
“It’s definitely going to be not as smooth of a transition for us rookies as it was for the other rookies,” Amukamara recently said in an interview with The Post. “I think we can handle it. I’m sure each team has great veterans on the team who make that transition more smooth. But we’re definitely robbed on the reps and the opportunities, and just the experience that we should have had as rookies.”
When the lockout was lifted for one day, Amukamara the day after the NFL Draft in April was able to visit the Giants’ training facility and meet face-to-face with the coaching staff.
“Definitely like a tease,” he said.
Starting yesterday, Amukamara got a taste of what he believes he needs and deserves — finally getting on the field with his new Giants teammates. Many teams previously have assembled in large groups for informal workouts, and now it is the Giants’ turn.
Amukamara along with other draft picks — Jerrel Jernigan, Greg Jones, Tyler Sash and Da’Rel Scott — were in attendance, along with quite a few veterans, including Eli Manning, at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J.
What the Giants do not want is any publicity for these workouts.
“We have been given very strict orders not to tell anyone where the workouts are taking place,” one veteran player wrote in a text message.
Those in charge of organizing the workouts made it clear that keeping everyone healthy is a priority, meaning the competition level will be kept in check.
“We want to make sure that everybody is safe and that we’re doing the right thing,” center Shaun O’Hara said last week.
These workouts are usually more productive for offensive players, who can work on timing and get to run and throw. The defense can work on technique but won’t come close to hitting anyone.
“It’s good but it doesn’t mean anything,” cornerback Terrell Thomas said. “If the offense gets together, that’s all that really matters. For the defense you’re not going to really get anything out of it. But it’s always good to get around your players for team morale and just gelling and what-not.”