Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday marked the beginning of the New York Giants offseason program. While they have worked hard for two days straight and taken the time to bond as a team, that doesn’t mean fans know they are truly ready for the start of the 2014 season.
Today the Giants players met with the media and provided some thoughts and quotes to ease those concerns, and hype up the fan base. Here’s some fodder for the curious Giants fan’s mind:
Eli Manning: A lot of excitement and energy with new offense and a lot of opportunity
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 22, 2014
Manning’s recent surgery requires a walking boot, and the progress seems encouraging:
Eli's boot. pic.twitter.com/4S5xPxVuo8
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 22, 2014
Eli Manning had cortisone shot prior to Duke trip. That was supposed to be another test #giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 22, 2014
Eli says there was no pickup game. They took a few shots. Surgery was already scheduled. #giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 22, 2014
Eli Manning "I think I'd be safe to say I'd be 100 percent for the start of training camp. I would hope so."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) April 22, 2014
One of the keys to a bounce back year is new OC Ben McAdoo’s offense. The players offered some inkling of the scheme’s approach:
Eli says new offense is chance to "reinvent yourself." Will feature different timing on routes, "ball comes out quickly."
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 22, 2014
Giants OL Justin Pugh says new offense will be more "up-tempo" and says there are similarities with the no-huddle he ran at Syracuse. #NYG
— Jonathan Clegg (@CleggJon) April 22, 2014
Cruz said that with the new offense "not based on body language" it'll be "even easier" for him to get on the same page w/Eli Manning.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) April 22, 2014
Along with the new offensive scheme, some other players offered insight into their progress and excitement:
David Wilson says he will have another MRI to determine if his neck fusion surgery was a complete success.
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) April 22, 2014
David Wilson said no one advised him against continuing his career after neck surgery. Is he taking a risk? "Not at all," he said.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) April 22, 2014
Victor Cruz said he's "100 percent ready to go" coming off his own knee injury.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) April 22, 2014
Reuben Randle says he's ready to be a starter in the NFL and "opportunity" is there with Hakeem Nicks gone. pic.twitter.com/OrliSoeKPN
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) April 22, 2014
Cruz: I feel like it's going to be a bounce-back year for us. #giantsmedia
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) April 22, 2014
While the offense has major changes, the defense sees major changes in the faces that make it up. Here’s some tidbits from the defense:
Thurmond: "I'm the best slot corner in the league." Says he, Prince and DRC can be as good "if not better" than Seattle's CBs.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 22, 2014
Jameel McClain on his role: "Just plug me in coach and let me hit somebody." #nyg
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) April 22, 2014
Stevie Brown did draw some interest elsewhere this offseason but wanted to come back. Said he feels good, knee will be monitored, though.
— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) April 22, 2014
JPP said he shed 15 pounds from last year. He's currently at 270.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) April 22, 2014
New #NYG DE Robert Ayers says the way the team plans on using him persuaded him to sign. Says they want "guys who can do it all" on DL.
— Jonathan Clegg (@CleggJon) April 22, 2014
Beason on leadership role: You want everybody to take ownership of the defense. #giantsmedia
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) April 22, 2014
Probably the best piece of info from the media session was Amukamara’s revealing of the offseason program motto. Good stuff for excited Giants fans:
Prince Amukamara revealed the Giants' T-shirt-ready offseason slogan: "Faces change, expectations don't."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) April 22, 2014
With the Giants offseason in full swing, and the draft in just over two weeks, it is a very exciting time to be a New York Giants fan. Let’s see how the team progress and if optimism by the players continues into training camp and beyond.