Not since he was 10 years old.
That is the last time Joe Looney recalls being told to “run a lap.”
Looney is 30 years old, so that is a lot of time between laps.
The big offensive lineman took a jog around the field Monday during his first real training camp practice with the Giants. He signed on Saturday and participated in a light workout with his new team during a community service event in Newark. This was more of a debut for Looney, and a bad center-quarterback exchange with Daniel Jones — Looney said he snapped the ball too early — prompted head coach Joe Judge to send both players out on a run.
“Yeah, that’s something I ain’t done since little league, but you know I loved it,’’ Looney said. “It’s another way to hold us accountable as professionals. If you make a mistake, you’re going to have to run a lap for it. You know, I’m all about it.’’
It remains to be seen what Looney will be all about with the Giants. He has 42 NFL starts on his résumé, mostly at center, a few sprinkled in at right and left guard. Shane Lemieux began camp as the starting left guard, but he is currently sidelined with a knee injury, although Judge said he is day-to-day and should return soon. Looney can serve as a backup at all three interior line spots, but he also could challenge Lemieux, Will Hernandez at right guard or Nick Gates at center for starting assignments.
“I don’t have a preference,’’ Looney said. “Wherever they want me at and wherever I can come in and help and step in, even coach and give guys little tips here and there. I’m just out here trying to have fun. At the end of the day, this is a game. It’s a kid’s game that we play, so I’m going to come out here and have fun and give it my all.’’
Looney spent the past five years with the Cowboys, the first four with Jason Garrett as his head coach. The system Garrett installed last year as the Giants’ offensive coordinator is quite similar, giving Looney familiarity as he plays catch-up, arriving one week into camp.
Garrett and the Giants wanted to sign Looney last offseason, but he returned to the Cowboys. A year later, they are reunited.
“Oh man, it’s crazy, him here and all this,’’ Looney said. “You know we sat out here on the practice field and reminisced a little bit. It’s awesome to be with him. I can’t say enough about coach Garrett. He gave me a great opportunity to be with Dallas and now here. I want to play my tail off for him.’’