Giants Rookie Mini-Camp

This is the fun stuff. After checking in, doing meetings, taking physicals, and running through, the Giant rookies finally take the field for their first live practice in less than an hour. Along with the six draft picks, and 11 signed UFDA's, there are 44 tryout players on hand, looking to displace signed UDFA's or anyone else on the lower third of the roster.  So it will be a pretty full camp.  Interestingly the list of signed UDFA's didn't include everyone who's name was being bandied about two weeks ago.  It does include 3 OL, a TE, 4 DB's,  another DT, 1 WR and an LB.

The most intriguing guy in the group, on paper, is C Evan Brown, though only 6'2" and 302, he popped out 36 reps, has a 36" vertical, and ran a sub-5 40 at the combine.  If the Giants are using the same vertsion of OL technique the Vikings were last year, Brown could really develop into the long term answer at C, because the Giants won't be playing smashmouth, they'll be playing power spread.  That's a little like the old Mouse McNally scheme or what Alex Gibbs used to teach.  Thus athleticism is a little more valuable than pure bulk.

The other two OL's, Nick Gates, who's 6'5" and 295 and looks as though he's never been to a gym, may be ticketed to the practice squad.  He played T at Nebraska but the Giants are now listing him as a guard. Tyler Howell is 6'8" and 300 and they're still listing him as a T, but he's going to have to fill out some to be a Hog Molly.

Another guy who really interests me is CB Grant Haley. This guy is just a football player. Remember Will Hill?  When he wasn't on cloud nine, he was a guy who just knew how to play football and tackle people. Grant is short at 5'9" but built at 185.  Other than height the knock on his has been so-so ball skills. Truth is, all Giant DB's have played like they have so-so ball skills over the years.  Anyway, this isn't just a football player, he also killed the combine and will cover kicks and punts while he's learning the slot from Gay.

Meanwhile, Sean Chandler, the safety from Temple is 5'11" and 195, so also a bit undersized, but he was the first name we heard, so the Giants must like him.  Aaron Davis is a CB from Georgia who's got decent size,  and Byron Fields is a little slimmer CB from Duke who has some leadership.

Stephen Baggett, the TE from East Carolina is also intriguing. He's 6'5" and 251 and routinely puts of sub 4.5's in the 40. Sounds like a natural to back up to Evan Engram, or even a pass rush prospect for Bettcher is that doesn't work out. Anyway, this is the kind of athleticism that the Giants need all over the roster, so, let's see if he can play.

Another guy who is intriguing is LB Tae Davis, from Tennessee-Chatanooga.  He's listed as 6'1" 200! and that's what's so intriguing. There are no 200 pound LB's in the NFL, so they must have something specific in mind for this guy.  He is a coverage demon on specials, so that could be the thing, or they could also be envisioning some kind of in the box blitz punk.

It's all very exciting and I'll keep updating.

UPDATE:  First practice is over.  Grant Haley showed great coverage and had a PBU on the last play of the session.  Sean Chandler intercepted Sirk, while camp invite Orion Steward picked off Lauletta. Kyle fumbled his first snap, a la Darnold.  He also went on to show better velocity than some were expecting.  That's a plus.  We'll have to see what the coach says about the rest of his day.  Saquon was fine, and probably in "please, Hammer, don't hurt `em" mode.  Nothing has come up about the other defenders, though McIntosh had to sit out.

UPDATE 2: Saquon Barkley and tryout QB John O'Korn were the last two guys on the field, playing catch.  On their way off, Saquon lagged back so he would be the last one to leave the field. He may be as cool as Lias "roof the silver" Andersson.