Jabrill Peppers revealed a little Giants team secret called the “turnover trophy.” Each day, whoever forces a turnover during practice is given an actual trophy — reportedly a small one — to reward their efforts.
“Yes, it makes you compete and want to go out there and cause turnovers. It’s just a good little thing,” Peppers said Sunday.
Corey Ballentine is leading the way with five trophies.
Considering Eli Manning threw only one pass in the preseason opener against the Jets, a game-opening play when the 16-year veteran missed a wide-open Rhett Ellison down the field and instead found Scott Simonson for a 3-yard gain, he came into practice ready to go.
Manning continues to develop his chemistry with Cody Latimer, highlighted Sunday afternoon by a handful of good connections.
“I thought he did a great job. I think he’s practiced well throughout [training camp],” Shurmur said. “Now, after I’ve watched him [during] this three-week stretch, I think he’s throwing the ball better than he did last summer. He’s got a real good grasp of what we want to do offensively. He had another good day out there.”
Ballentine and fellow rookie Ryan Connelly took reps with the first-team defense. Connelly, a fifth-round pick from Wisconsin, is shaping out to be a dependable linebacker.
“He played well the other night,” Shurmur said. “If you have a starter that’s going to not be in there for a couple of days, then he’ll just step right in. I think he’s ready to do it.”