Unlike 25 teams around the NFL, the Giants did not begin the organized team activity segment of their offseason workout program on Tuesday, as most of the team was assembled for a golf tournament to benefit the Giants Foundation. The Giants hit the field Wednesday for their first OTA, a series of practices that culminate with a three-day mandatory minicamp June 17-19.
This next phase of the program ratchets up the football activity and gives the coaching staff greater opportunity to see the players actually on the field. No contact is allowed and no one-on-one drills featuring offense vs. defense are permitted.
The coaches can start formulating the special teams units and get a look at how they appear on the field. Team offense vs. team defense is allowed in 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 formats but again, no contact.
Not much will be decided during the OTAs — after all, no one is even wearing shoulder pads — but it is the next step in assembling a Giants team with new players all over the roster. Here’s five of the most interesting storylines to follow during these OTAs:
What does the offense look like?
This will be the first glimpse of the brand-new offense installed by first-year coordinator Ben McAdoo, who brings a Packers-flavored West Coast approach to the Giants. The entire package won’t be on display, but this will be the first opportunity to see some formations and get a look at the quick passing game McAdoo is expected to install.
Will Eli be on the field?
Eli Manning underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle on April 10, and both he and coach Tom Coughlin insist he is ahead of schedule on his rehab. Manning took a few snaps in the earlier stages of the offseason program and made it clear he wants to take even more during the OTAs. There’s no doubt the Giants will be cautious and limit Manning’s involvement. He will mostly be standing and observing. But this is the first new offense Manning has had to learn since his rookie year in 2004, and the more time he gets to actually run it on the field, the better off he will be.
The rookie watch
It is always interesting to see how the newly drafted players look on the same field as seasoned veterans. Do they look out of place? Overmatched? Wide-eyed or steely-eyed? Most compelling will be how receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (the first-round pick) and running back Andre Williams (fourth round) fit in with the offense. Both are expected and needed to make immediate contributions.
When will David Wilson return?
At some point, the Giants are going to either give David Wilson medical clearance to return following neck surgery or else they are going to have to move on without him. Wilson believes he’s fine and insists he has no lingering side effects, but he isn’t a “go” until his latest MRI exam comes through clean and is given the stamp of approval. This is a non-contact series of practices, though, and Wilson might be able to participate before being fully cleared for the contact that presents itself in training camp.
Newcomer indoctrination
There are 16 veteran free agents on a roster that is has been revamped. Virtually every position is affected. The secondary has new cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond and Zack Bowman, plus safety Quintin Demps, and there’s much work to be done to form into a cohesive unit. Rashad Jennings, who came from the Raiders, is new at running back, and the offensive line is almost totally rebuilt, with 11-year veteran Chris Snee attempting one final season coming off multiple surgeries. Perhaps the most intense position battle will come at tight end. Veteran free agents Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells were added to a group of youngsters (Adrien Robinson, Larry Donnell and undrafted free agent Xavier Grimble) as the Giants hope to find three tight ends worth keeping.