Everyone wanted to take a look how Hakeem Nicks was running, how he was cutting and how his physical status was as he took the field Saturday for the Giants first training camp practice. After all, Nicks did not participate in any of the team’s organized team activity workouts this spring and didn’t go full speed at the June mini-camp.
Well, Nicks looked just fine. Tom Coughlin made sure to comment about a couple of plays Nicks made that caught his attention and it does not appear as if Nicks has any restrictions after struggling last season with foot and then knee issues.
In a 7-on-7 drill, Nicks and Eli Manning failed to connect on a deep ball but in the two-minute drill late in practice Nicks like his old self. He straddled the left sideline, leaped and hauled in a Manning pass, a play reminiscent of so many Nicks highlights over the years.
It was not all fun and games for the receivers, as Coughlin noted “Defensively they covered the deep ball well. I thought the throws were pretty darn good, I like the way we were positioned from the corner spot on the deep balls.’’
CB Prince Amukamara came away with the first interception of camp, making an over-the-shoulder grab on a Manning pass too deep for Rueben Randle. CB Aaron Ross, back after one year with the Jaguars, broke up a David Carr pass intended for WR Kevin Hardy and Ross a bit later deflected away a pass for WR Kris Adams.
Other practice notables:
— The starting linebackers were Keith Rivers, Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger, which came as no surprise, as all three return from last season. The second-term linebackers were Jacquian Williams, Dan Connor and Aaron Curry. Paysinger in a 7-on-7 drill displayed one of his strengths, dropping on coverage to knock away a pass in the hands of TE Brandon Myers.
Coughlin said he cannot remember a camp where the linebacker position was so open. “Steady, consistent, no mental errors, tackle, tackle opportunities do that successfully, be in the right position against the pass,’’ Coughlin said when asked what he’s looking for from the linebacker candidates.
Curry, who is down to 250 pounds – down 15 pounds from when he signed in the spring – had to leave the field because of what Coughlin said were cramps.
— David Diehl lined up with the starters at right tackle and James Brewer took the place of Chris Snee (PUP) at right guard. First-round pick Justin Pugh played right tackle with the second offensive line.
Snee is coming back from off-season hip surgery and said he wasn’t shocked he landed on PUP. “I knew the timeline would be close, that’s why you always set your goal tentatively for the start of camp,’’ Snee said. “I’m not 100 percent so why rush back?’’
— Rueben Randle looks as if he is ready to make a quantum leap forward. The Giants love his ability but did not always love his practice habits or his sense of urgency. He looks as if he has shaken off any rookie lethargy and was one of the top performers on the first day of camp.