It rained on Friday morning, so the Giants’ first practice of training camp was moved indoors. That meant fans who planned to attend the workout and get their first glimpse of the 2016 team were shutout. The practice was not open to the public. And with rain in the forecast the rest of the weekend, the next few practices could be held in the fieldhouse as well.
And so far, that’s the biggest storyline of the preseason.
Sure it’s only been one day since the players reported, but it’s been one of the most peaceful days any NFL team could hope for. No contract squabbles. No major injuries to monitor. No veterans who are unhappy and holding out. It’s been… quiet.
“We’ve had no distractions coming into this season,” guard Justin Pugh said.
That’s not to say things will stay that way. There are three players who are starting camp on PUP – two of them potential defensive starters - and while Ben McAdoo downplayed the concern over those situations, anyone who saw what happened when Victor Cruz felt discomfort in his calf last summer and pinned it on “dehydration” knows how these things can linger and become larger problems. And speaking of Cruz, he’s been cleared to participate in practices but it will be a while before everyone – fans, media, the Giants themselves – stop looking at him with the expectation that at any moment he will come up limping. But so far, he hasn’t.
Compare that to some of the past issues that have hovered over recent Giants camps. Osi’s holdouts. JPP’s hand injury and lack of communication with the team. Before that, JPP’s back surgery. Chris Snee retiring on the eve of camp. David Wilson hanging them up prematurely. Will Beatty getting hurt in the spring and rookie Ereck Flowers stepping in at left tackle. Any of Jon Beason’s injuries. Prince Amukamara holding out and then breaking his foot in his first practice. Odell Beckham Jr.’s long-forgotten hamstring.
If you want to drum up controversy now you have to ask Odell what he thinks of being ripped by Charles Barkley or wait for Eli Apple’s mom to slip up and Tweet something quasi-inappropriate. All non-football matters.
For McAdoo, the rookie head coach, it’s hard to imagine a better way to start his first season. Nothing but optimism. No dark clouds over the camp – aside from the literal ones that prevent the team from practicing outdoors and keep the fans away.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
..... - Newsday