The fast pace the Giants are displaying on offense is serving to benefit the team’s defense, which has to keep up with the rapid-fire plays being run with much more alacrity than in the past.
Ben McAdoo’s offense has started off its team period most days with a no-huddle look, which was not a regular part of the previous offensive system. Sure, there have been growing pains adjusting to the increased speed, but as Eli Manning and his mates rush to the line, the defense has to match that speed.
“Reps against the no-huddle does help going against the guys in Philly — their offense is very, very fast — and I think the Redskins, they do the same thing too,’’ cornerback Prince Amukamara said. “That’s only preparing us for the season.’’
The defense had the better of the play during the first week of camp and Tuesday was no exception.
Other practice notables:
– RB David Wilson was forced out with what Tom Coughlin described as a “burner.” That’s an ominous injury for a player coming off neck surgery.
– WR Rueben Randle made it through the first week of camp unscathed, but he was held out of practice with a sore hamstring. Randle inherits the starting receiver job opened up when Hakeem Nicks was not re-signed, and big things are expected and needed from him.
– Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie caused some hoots and hollers from his defensive teammates when he pulled up just short on a Ryan Nassib pass to TE Kellen Davis. In a game, DRC would have drilled Davis just as the catch was made.
– TE Larry Donnell, listed as the starter on the first (and unofficial) depth chart issued by the team, is making some plays to make you think he might be getting the hang of this. He leaped in the right corner of the end zone, using his 6-foot-6 frame to shield the ball from Cooper Taylor, a towering 6-foot-4 safety. Donnell reached for the ball with one arm and secured it with the other for an impressive touchdown catch.
– The other young tight end, Adrien Robinson, also showed up. He used every bit of his 6-foot-4 frame to reach out for a reception in the 7-on-7 period and did even better than that in the team period. He ran an out pattern to the right sideline, cut in front of S Kyle Sebetic for an easy reception and then shouted “That’s easy money!’’ as he coasted out of bounds.
– Mario Manningham, reaching down to make the catch on a low throw from Eli Manning, is slowly rounding into form following knee surgery.
– RB Rashad Jennings rumbled up the middle and extended the play by sprinting all the way into the end zone, followed the entire way by S Quintin Demps, who refused to lose the footrace.
– Jerrell Jernigan made a diving grab on the left side just in front of Amukamara.
– Here’s a play you’re not going to see once the season starts: On a halfback option, RB Peyton Hillis tossed what at best can be described as a wounded duck in the general direction of Donnell. The ball bounced to the grass. The less said about this play the better.
– The defensive play of the day belonged to CB Trumaine McBride, who always gives an honest effort. This time, McBride jumped the route run by Julian Talley and intercepted a Curtis Painter pass, taking it to the house for a pick-six. McBride was escorted down the field by Charles James, Stevie Brown, Walter Thurmond and Amukamara, each of whom seemed to enjoy the play as much as McBride did.