Eli Manning, for one of the very few times since he arrived with the Giants, yesterday took the field for an organized team activity (OTA) practice with nearly all of his key receivers on the scene.
That’s rarely been the case for Manning in these voluntary (yeah, right) off-season workouts. Plaxico Burress rarely showed up, preferring to spend his down time in Miami. The same with Jeremy Shockey. Both are gone and while the departures caused a talent drain, what’s left behind as far as personality and pedigree leads to a greater sense of cohesion.
Manning all off-season gets to work with the two new starting receivers, Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith, as well as Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, tight end Kevin Boss and rookies Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden and Travis Beckum.
“It’s a good day,” Manning said. “It’s good to be out there with the coaches and seeing the abilities of some of the new guys and seeing how other guys have improved.”
The last time the Giants were on the field together was for their Jan. 11 playoff loss to the Eagles.
This first OTA marked the first time defensive end Osi Umenyiora was on the field with his teammates since he injured his knee last summer, underwent surgery and missed the entire season.
“I was excited, very excited to be around those guys,” Umenyiora said. “I realized I missed them. I miss being out there. This is my seventh year. I’m the oldest guy on this defense as far as being with the Giants. When I look around, it’s just amazing that I’ve been here that long. I’m just happy to be here.”
The practice took place for the first time inside the brand-new 100-yard field house, which replaces the cramped 55-yard bubble.
“I feel like we’re playing in an indoor stadium,” linebacker Antonio Pierce said. “It’s like Ford Field or the Metrodome. That’s how big it is.”
This was the first of 10 OTA practices before the mandatory veteran three-day mini-camp starting June 16. The offense and defense work separately for the first two OTAs and combine for the next eight.