4 things to watch at NY Giants mandatory minicamp this week

For the last time until training camp in late July, the NY Giants will be taking the field this week for mantatory minicamp. After that, it's summer break for the Big Blue playmakers, as these guys have most definitely earned some time off.

However, there's still a lot for the team to get done over the two-day minicamp session. Veteran playmakers will want to show out, while youngsters will also look to impress the coaching staff. Here's our look at four things for fans to keep an eye on, with countless eyes remaining on Saquon Barkley:

4. Will a Saquon Barkley miracle come over the next few days?

Unfortunately, as things stand, Barkley will not be on hand in East Rutherford for the mandatory minicamp. This was confirmed on Sunday when Barkley met with the media after his youth football camp in Jersey City. Barkley, who said he's looking for respect in his contract talks, added that he's unsure if a new deal will be signed by July 17.

"I think they're open to talking. I'm open to talking. I think at the end of the day, if you really break it down and look at it as a whole, there is no rush. There is still time on the table to get to July 17. July 17 is not tomorrow. It's not in a week. That is how I look at it. Maybe that is the naïve way to look at it, I could be completely wrong. But for me, that's how I look at it. I could be completely wrong. Hopefully. I trust in the Giants that we could get something done."

- Saquon Barkley via ESPN's Jordan Raanan

Despite these recent comments from Barkley, you just never know if by some miracle, he and general manager Joe Schoen are able to meet in the middle and come to terms on the extension the star running back is looking for.

This is going to be a talking point during minicamp and the rest of the summer for that matter. The Giants need Barkley back on the field ASAP. The last thing anyone wants to see is Barkley be a training camp holdout - or worse not be on the field for Week 1.