The energy at Giants camp took a noticeable leap on Monday as players suited up in full pads for the first time this summer.
With contact finally allowed, several position battles began to sharpen, rookies continued to flash, and the team got a clearer sense of who’s rising and who’s still finding their footing. From Evan Neal’s promising transition inside to Cam Skattebo’s punishing runs, here are the biggest takeaways from a physical and revealing fifth day of practice for Big Blue.
Robinson sidelined as precaution
Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson didn’t participate in Monday’s practice due to a leg bruise he suffered after banging into Brian Burns over the weekend. The Giants are treating it as a minor issue, and there’s no concern about his availability moving forward.
Neal finding his groove at guard
The experiment of moving Evan Neal inside is already starting to pay off. With padded practices underway, Neal looked much more confident working at guard, a spot that may better suit his physical strengths and reduce some of the footwork issues that plagued him at tackle.
While he faced a lackluster defensive tackle group, early impressions suggest he may have bought himself more time in the starting lineup, especially with the push he generated on double teams.
Skattebo keeps turning heads
Rookie running back Cam Skattebo continues to make his presence known. He’s been a wrecking ball in drills, consistently breaking tackles and pushing piles.
Known for his bruising style at Arizona State, Skattebo has brought that same physicality to the NFL, and fans are starting to notice. He’s quickly becoming one of the more exciting names in camp.
Dart growing into QB role
Jaxson Dart, the rookie quarterback out of Ole Miss, is showing steady progress. He’s been more in control each day, and told reporters after practice that “things are starting to slow down” for him, which has allowed him to play faster and more decisively. While he’s still learning, the signs of growth are encouraging for the Giants’ developmental plans under center.
Olszewski returns to reinforce special teams
With Ford-Wheaton done for the year, the Giants quickly brought back return man Gunner Olszewski to tighten up their special teams unit. Olszewski, who spent time with the team over the past two seasons, offers experience and reliability in both kick and punt return duties.
He’s also familiar with the playbook, giving him a leg up in re-integrating into the system.
