Ben McAdoo, cheering for the defense, pumped up by an interception — when was the last time that happened?
“I think it would be never,’’ McAdoo said Saturday, smiling.
He made his living as an offensive assistant, but his promotion to head coach means McAdoo must scan and study the entire field. Thus, as linebacker Devon Kennard cut inside of tight end Will Tye to intercept Eli Manning’s pass on the first play of the 7-on-7 drill, it was good news/bad news, and brand new scenario for McAdoo.
He focused on the good news portion of the play.
“Great effort,’’ McAdoo said. “DK made the same type of play last year in Buffalo on the same type of route. Great effort, good ball skills, and I’m happy for the young man. He made a nice play.’’
Wide receiver Victor Cruz again was a full participant in practice but did not get the ball thrown to him during the team period. McAdoo said Cruz “looks to be on schedule.’’ … First-year WR Tavarres King made the play of practice, getting deep on cornerback Tramain Jacobs to make an over-the-shoulder catch on a perfectly thrown pass from backup quarterback Ryan Nassib. King, who played at Georgia, was on the practice squad last season. “I know I’m speaking for him, but he’s walking around like a guy who seems like he’s earned his stripes and he’s ready to take that next jump,’’ McAdoo said.
Different members of the team operation, in recorded messages, get to call the team to huddle at the end of practice. The voice of Mike Murphy, the head of Giants security, could be heard Saturday through the speakers blaring, “Bring it up on coach, let’s go, dummies!’’ … After wet fields forced the Giants indoors Friday, this was the first practice of camp outdoors and with fans watching. “When they opened the gates, it was like a sea of red, white and blue coming in here,’’ McAdoo said.
Training day
Stepping up
Second-year receiver Geremy Davis made a pair of catches and one, down the right sideline, prompted “Let’s go Giants’’ chants from the fans. Davis needs to develop as an offensive player.
Sorry, Eli
Eli Manning on the very first play of the 7-on-7 drill looked for TE Will Tye, but LB Devon Kennard slipped inside of Tye for an acrobatic interception. Bad for the offense, good for the defense.
Caught my eye
TE Larry Donnell, coming back from a neck injury that cut short his 2015 season, made two impressive catches in the team period, one down the seam and another a diving grab. He has flaws but he is a legitimate pass-catching threat.
Medical report
LT Ereck Flowers “bumped into someone,’’ according to coach Ben McAdoo, in the first practice Friday but was able to fight through the issue and did not miss a beat Saturday. Flowers endured a rookie year filled with sprained ankles.