The media is still waiting to get a glimpse of John Jerry as a Giant, but the team says it fully expects to have the controversial offensive lineman this season.
Jerry, the former Dolphins blocker signed despite his headlining involvement in last fall’s Bullygate scandal in Miami, appeared to miss the on-field workout program this spring because of an unspecified knee surgery after being signed by the Giants in March.
Jerry’s absence included the three-day mandatory mini-camp that Big Blue completed Thursday at the Meadowlands, but offensive line coach Pat Flaherty said he is counting on having Jerry available this fall — perhaps as soon as training camp.
“I’m expecting to have John and am excited to have John,” Flaherty said. “I’m hoping to have him for training camp. As a position coach, I get that information from the medical staff. But I sure hope so.”
Jerry, who was named more than 100 times in the NFL’s Wells Report investigation of the bullying of Jonathan Martin, still faces potential punishment from the league for his involvement.
Jerry was one of a host of offensive-line additions this offseason, but Flaherty said Jerry — while versatile enough to play guard or tackle — isn’t just slotted for a reserve role.
“I say that we signed him — and he signed with us — for the opportunity to be a starter for the New York Giants,” Flaherty said.
Is Tom Coughlin softening up?
The coach certainly didn’t live up to his taskmaster reputation, ending the final practice of the Giants’ three-day mini-camp — their last on-field work before training camp next month — after just 30 or so minutes.
Coughlin called it a “nice jog-through.”
“You guys [in the media] were in there having doughnuts or something and we were out here running up and down the field,” Coughlin joked.
The Giants will have a shorter break before training camp than most teams because they’re playing the Bills in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3.
As a result, the Giants will report to camp on July 20, with practices to begin the next day.
Coughlin said he gave his players the usual warning about staying out of trouble during their time off.
“We always talk about being smart,” Coughlin said. “The ‘NY’ never comes off. Be responsible. Don’t let someone who has nothing invested in your future make decisions for you, who you’re going to be with, where you’re going, how you conduct yourself.
“You’ve got to be very smart this time of year with how you’re conducting yourself, what you’re doing. You can never lose sight of the prize.”