Jabrill Peppers has a message for anyone who believes Joe Judge has been too tough on the Giants during training camp.
“The guys here, we love him,” the starting safety said before the Giants practiced Wednesday night at MetLife Stadium. “We like coaches who coach us hard, gonna tell us like it is and not sugarcoat anything.
“He’s gonna push you places that you can’t take yourself. I just think if you don’t like to be coached hard, then you’re not gonna like it here.”
Judge drew outside criticism for penalizing the Giants with laps and push-ups following a brawl in practice last week.
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard similarly defended Judge last week, saying, “If you don’t like it, then you’re welcome to leave.”
Defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh, the Giants’ fifth-round draft pick in 2018, was one of three players cut on Wednesday. He appeared in 18 games over three seasons but was inactive for all 16 games in 2020. Wide receiver Derrick Dillon and Cale Garrett also were waived.
The Giants signed 320-pound defensive tackle Elijah Qualls — the Eagles’ sixth-rounder in 2017 — and DT Willie Henry, who appeared in one game last season for the 49ers.
Judge said offensive tackle Nate Solder’s apparent shoulder injury from Tuesday is “nothing much” and “just normal kind of bumps and bruises from what we can tell.” Solder opted out of last season due to COVID-19 concerns and currently is listed as the backup tackle on both sides of the offensive line.
“I think Nate is obviously having a pretty damn good camp for us. We’re pleased with the progress he’s making right there,” Judge said. “So we want to make sure we keep him on the field as long as we can, but obviously we won’t do anything that puts a player at risk.”