Go away.
The Giants are doing just that this summer, as they will hold not one, but two joint practices with other NFL teams, working with the Browns and Patriots after training camp opens up July 27.
There are just three preseason games this year, and head coach Joe Judge wants to ramp up the competition for his team. The Giants face the Browns in Cleveland on Aug. 22 and plan to practice with the Browns for a few days before that game at the Browns’ facility in Berea, Ohio. The Giants close out their preseason schedule against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium, but Judge wants his team to travel to Foxborough, Mass., for a few days of practice before both teams head to New Jersey for the game.
“I am a big fan of them,’’ Judge said of joint practices. “I think it’s a great time in training camp to break the monotony, to get some competition against a friendly opponent. With both programs, the Browns and the Patriots, I’ve got great relationships with both coaches, known them both for a sustained period of time.
“The guys are going to compete. You want to make sure you keep it between the lines, the guys are not doing anything dirty, outside the whistle. So it’s important you know the coaches and what kind of program you are going against.’’
Judge knows Browns coach Kevin Stefanski from their days playing quarterback at rival high schools outside of Philadelphia. Judge worked seven years in New England for coach Bill Belichick.
These road trips will reduce the number of open dates for the Giants for camp at their own facility. Fans are fully expected to be allowed to attend Giants training camp practices this summer.
The more players vaccinated for COVID-19, the more a team can relax the NFL-mandated protocols for this season. Safety Jabrill Peppers revealed on social media this week that he received his first shot. Judge said he is vaccinated.
Cornerback James Bradberry, who missed one game last season when it was determined he was in close contact with someone (his chiropractor) who tested positive, said he has not yet decided if he will get the vaccine.
“I have to get all the information,’’ Bradberry said. “Still got to make a personal decision. This will be a personal decision for me. I haven’t come up with the answers for that yet.’’
Rookie WR Kadarius Toney was excused from practice to attend to a family emergency. The three-day minicamp is done, and the veterans are now gone until training camp. The rookies have another week of work at the team facility.
“He’s getting better every day,’’ Judge said of Toney. “One thing we are trying to build in is position flexibility with him, and he’s handling that well right now from a mental standpoint. Like all of our players, the more we get them on the field, football movements and the conditioning improves, the better he will play.
“He did enough stuff yesterday that we can build on. There’s things we had to correct and make sure that we can help him do it more efficiently going forward but I’m pleased with the progress he made.’’
TE Kyle Rudolph, coming off foot surgery, was on the field, catching passes while standing still. LBs Cam Brown and Ryan Anderson continued to sit out the minicamp dealing with physical issues.