Random notes, observations and takeaways, in no particular order.
- Giants head coach Brian Daboll on WR Jalin Hyatt: “He’s improved in all facets of being a receiver… we’re going to need him to continue doing that in training camp.”
- Hyatt has gained 10+ lbs of muscle without losing any speed, one of the things Wonder always looks for in the development of prospects. Hyatt was always going to need to do this to get to his ceiling.
- Russell Wilson is taking Hyatt under his wing
- It’s too early to jump to any conclusions. With that said, Abdul Carter is as advertised. He’s a freak who shined in practices, with incredible pass rushing skills. It’s all without pads etc, but he was already living in the backfield.
- DL Coach Andre Patterson: Carter has an “uncanny ability to feel how to win at the top of the rush” that’s unique. Said that it usually takes years to coach that, and that the only other player he’s coached who’s ever had this was Elvis Dumervil. I would add that Carter has more, given he can line up off the ball at LB or even IOL. That’s enough hype for now.
- Dan Duggan, yesterday after the conclusion of minicamp, noted that TE Theo Johnson is starting to show some of the marriage of the traits that the Giants are so high on + Year 2 rounding into knowledge of the position.
- The BBB podcast crew note that Wilson throws a ball with (1) so much more touch and (2) arc on his deep balls, something missing from the flat balls which typified Jones’ balls…
- WanDale Robinson: “That deep ball just drops right in the bucket. Whenever he’s throwing the shorter routes, it comes in like a pillow – it’s really, really easy to catch.”
- Slayton is another player who was the recipient of Wilson’s deep ball. I have accurately predicted the Giants Fantasy standout value the past two seasons- Barkley off of ACL finally delivering in 2023, and Nabers delivering a lot more than the hype in 2024. Slayton is my Fantasy value for 2025. He should be under most people’s radar (besides us freak Giants fans) as a cheaper afterthought.
- A lot of stars like Dex and Nabers and Thomas were mothballed. Please remember that there once was a time when these guys had to sell insurance in the offseason to make a living.
- Not clear but people are guessing that Kafka will take back playcalling duties
- Consensus from beat writers et al is that Dart is not “wow”-ing anybody but that he is moving along just fine. He’s throwing with the 2’s. No, he’s not going to start Week 1, but he’ll be ready well before the bye IF Daboll wants that.
- Neal has been playing with the 1’s inside at Guard. I agree with Dan Schneier that we need Neal to rise up to be starting, because he gives the Giants the best chance in the run game.
- Flott appears to be ahead of Banks
- Dane Belton has been singled out by the coaches for his good play
- Everyone is obsessed with (1) how good the pass rush will be and (2) tempering that with how the schedule is. Is it September yet?
- Daboll brought in a lot of old time vets like LT and Ottis Anderson to tell the young players what it is that will be necessary to define their future careers. LT talked about knowing not only about what their responsibilities on the field were, but also that of their teammates, knowing everything to be a great pro. Anderson (link above) talked about the difference between being a pro and being a professional.
- Other Giants legends who spoke to the team were Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, Victor Cruz, Justin Tuck, Howard Cross, Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs, Hakeem Nicks, Chris Snee, and Carl Banks.
- Anything else that struck you as important? I’m sure I missed some stuff. Please comment.