Mojo’s Camp Notes 2018

[andrew_nyGiants]

Meeting Andrew who is the cycling champ was definitely the highlight.   

Eli Apple had a very nice practice

Webb had a very poor practice (to go along with a less than ideal practice yesterday).   Now we will see how he responds to some adversity.

I thought Gallman had a very good practice to go along with a very good camp.  I don't think Barkley got any snaps carrying the ball (but he did line up wide as a receiver).  Including a snap where he made Jenkins look foolish

Barwin is a crafty veteran who knows all the moves and have been embarrassing linemen all camp.

Got a look at the new OT and I think he has better feet than Flowers

Likewise Rich....you too Ed! 

Thanks so much for hanging out with me.

[MightyGiants]

Eli is looking very sharp

Jones was moved to left guard today with Greco snapping (some of his snaps were less than ideal)

Wheeler and Becton swapped positions again.   Then Wheeler took LT with John Jerry at RT (with the twos)

I am really getting discouraged by what I see from Davis Webb.  Webb's targeting computer needs to be upgraded.  If someone insisted that Lauletta looked better, I would have a hard time arguing.

Barkley got some running snaps which was good to see

Today's press contingent was the smallest I have ever seen at Giants camp

It was brutally and I mean Brutally hot today.   The players even took a 10-minute cooldown break (inside) and the Giants kept reminding people to hydrate (but that didn't stop them from letting people stand in the blazing sun for an hour because they refuse to open up the gates early and let fans get under the awnings of the stands

Jawill Davis had a very good day in camp catching the football

After a hot start, Amba Etta-Tawo seems to have come down to earth.

S Curtis Riley is back at practice

Flowers had one of the best practices I have ever seen from him

[afan56]

"It was brutally and I mean Brutally hot today.   The players even took a 10-minute cooldown break (inside) and the Giants kept reminding people to hydrate (but that didn't stop them from letting people stand in the blazing sun for an hour because they refuse to open up the gates early and let fans get under the awnings of the stands"
The Giants should be much better to the fans...in many ways.

[MightyGiants]

"It was brutally and I mean Brutally hot today.   The players even took a 10-minute cooldown break (inside) and the Giants kept reminding people to hydrate (but that didn't stop them from letting people stand in the blazing sun for an hour because they refuse to open up the gates early and let fans get under the awnings of the stands"
The Giants should be much better to the fans...in many ways.

I intend to write a letter to John Mara about the training camp fan experience.  There are plenty of ways they can improve on things. 

[andrew_nyGiants]

I intend to write a letter to John Mara about the training camp fan experience.  There are plenty of ways they can improve on things.

I agree Rich, I think the entire experience could be different and much better....starting with the proximity to the players and coaches. I get that they need to be protected...but we're WAY too far away.

[Shoelessjoe]

I agree Rich, I think the entire experience could be different and much better....starting with the proximity to the players and coaches. I get that they need to be protected...but we're WAY too far away.

Andrew, I remember when they would practice at Pace.  I lived within a 15 to 20 minute drive and therefore I was there a lot.  There was a set of bleachers where the fans would sit.  To the left was the field house which the Giants built for Pace when they opened up their Westchester campus.  There was a 5 to 6 foot walkway in front of the Bleachers and then a wooden ranch fence that separated us from the players.  The players would warm up right in front of us.  One time a number of players were auditioning for a long snappers position including LT.  Needless to say LT was not to good at it and he took a lot of ribbing from the players and coaches.  Parcells in particular was riding him.  The point is they were so close to us you could almost hear them talking to each other.

Another time George Young sat in the stands and talked to fans.  Young had a sharp mouth and there was some pretty good back and forth between him and the fans.

A different time and place.

[afan56]

Andrew, I remember when they would practice at Pace.  I lived within a 15 to 20 minute drive and therefore I was there a lot.  There was a set of bleachers where the fans would sit.  To the left was the field house which the Giants built for Pace when they opened up their Westchester campus.  There was a 5 to 6 foot walkway in front of the Bleachers and then a wooden ranch fence that separated us from the players.  The players would warm up right in front of us.  One time a number of players were auditioning for a long snappers position including LT.  Needless to say LT was not to good at it and he took a lot of ribbing from the players and coaches.  Parcells in particular was riding him.  The point is they were so close to us you could almost hear them talking to each other.

Another time George Young sat in the stands and talked to fans.  Young had a sharp mouth and there was some pretty good back and forth between him and the fans.

It was a lot simpler then but now it is way too busy and crowded. Soon they will charge big $$ to see them practice and that will thin out the crowds.
A different time and place.

[Ed Vette]

To add, we are not going to Camp today. We have reached the point of diminishing returns. It's time to see these young men in game action.

I saw Evan Engram much more involved in run and pass blocking yesterday. Ellison has appeared to catch everything thrown his way. We have been seeing players moved around on the second and third teams to getting snaps with first team Offense for the RB's, Receivers and DB's. Shane Smith has gotten a very large body of work on all three teams. He's now listed as a FB on the roster sheet and he's the only FB. Looks like he's a lock to make the team at this point. He's lined up in so many different formations.

Eli has clearly been head and shoulders above the other three QB's at this point. I wonder if the grueling regiment has had some effect on Webb and Lauletta. Kyle appeared to have his worst day but I'm not so sure it was him or some miscommunication with his Receiver as to where the Receiver was supposed to be.

Vernon has lined up on both sides of the DL all throughout camp. We saw less Blitz packages and I think it's a good thing because the LB's and Safeties need the work in coverage packages.

It might be a good topic for discussion concerning the three Rookies who will be Full Time Starters this season in Barkley, Hernandez and Hill and how endurance will play a roll in how effective they will be come December. More so with Hill and Hernandez because they will get a lot of snaps with Hernandez getting the most. Hill will get spelled. I expect Barkley to be spelled by Stewart and Gallman. I think the reason Barkley has had limited snaps this summer is because they don't want him hitting a wall in the last quarter of the season.

As we approach the first Pre-Season game I have thoughts of how an entirely new Coaching Staff has done such a nice job of preparation. I think about how long it might take each Squad of Offense, Defense and Special Teams to reach the their peak performance. They have a new language, new schemes and packages, new players to play along side of too. One key factor is continuity and learning how the other guy thinks and reacts to certain situations. I also think of this Defense as being the most aggressive Defense we may be seeing in decades. How will Offenses adjust to what the Giants do. It appears they will be much less Read and React but still the Mike Backer and Landon Collins will need to be on their game to make adjustments. One thing I see for sure is that any Receiver whether it be a Slot Guy or a Wideout on a short Slant will be met with a hard hit. Hopefully, Goodson doesn't lead with the head.

Rich and I have see an improvement in the Receivers holding on to the ball but they know they won't get hit. Especially Engram, OBJ and Lewis. Eli's Receivers led the league in drops last season. Drops that should have been receptions are drive killers. Which leads me to the P word. I saw a lot of false starts and Off Sides this year and much more than I can recall in previous seasons. I felt the Line Officials should have called a lot more than they did. One of the reasons for False Starts is the rotation of new Centers although Halapio has done a nice job snapping, another is the aggressive nature of the Defense and finally it's continuity and what the Offensive Line Players understand as their assignments on every look.

Holding is another thing I see by the Offensive Line and that absolutely is a Drive Killer. The Poster Boy for Holding is Eric Flowers. When you watch the game Thursday, take a close look as to how Solder lines up with his stance compared to Flowers. Look at the feet and how vertical Solder is to the Line of Scrimmage. Even when the Pass Rusher is wide 9 he doesn't turn and spread. He has full confidence in this agility and quickness of feet to protect and push the PR to the outside of the pocket and it allows him to defend a spin move or a swim. He has soft feet and by that I mean he's a dancer, while Flowers is a stomper.

Finally Rich and I have been closely watching a player who has flied under the radar this Camp and that is John Jerry. Maybe it's us just talking each other into a bias but I think we both agree that he appears to be the best RT on the team at this point. Coach Shumur has to have a backup plan and that plan can't be the waiver wire unless it's a seasoned Veteran who can be a Plug and Play. It also ain't Chad Wheeler at this point in his career. Hopefully Chad is a just a Wanna Be and not a Never Will Be. The likelihood of both Tackles coming through the season unscathed and injury free is not something that can be wagered on. Solder is already wearing a brace and Flowers is going to have ankle issues because he's awkward and clumsy and has a little history of having to push through nagging injury. They need to have a viable solution to the Swing Backup and it's clearly John Jerry to me at this point.         

[MP21WAYS2PAY]

Holding is another thing I see by the Offensive Line and that absolutely is a Drive Killer. The Poster Boy for Holding is Eric Flowers. 

We may see alot more of that from Flowers this season, looking for a new contract he is going to be highly focused on keep his sacks allowed number down by any means necessary.

[Ed Vette]

We may see alot more of that from Flowers this season, looking for a new contract he is going to be highly focused on keep his sacks allowed number down by any means necessary.

The Choke Hold is his specialty. Interesting in and of the term itself. I hope I'm wrong.

[Mr. Matt]

If Nate Solder were to get hurt, whatever potential there is in this season could go downhill very quickly.

[Suburbanites II]

I was expecting Wheeler to step up and challenge Flowers for the ORT job. From everything I've read it appears as though he's had a terrible camp. He better get going during preseason, his roster spot is far from secure.

[coggs]

I intend to write a letter to John Mara about the training camp fan experience.  There are plenty of ways they can improve on things.

Today was the practice for season ticket holders, so no real need to get there an hour early.  If they did, that is on them.  This is always the lightest in terms of attendance as opposed to those that are open to all.

[MightyGiants]

Today was the practice for season ticket holders, so no real need to get there an hour early.  If they did, that is on them.  This is always the lightest in terms of attendance as opposed to those that are open to all.

The good stands filled up and some people couldn't get a quality seat

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Gman329]

Andrew, I remember when they would practice at Pace.  I lived within a 15 to 20 minute drive and therefore I was there a lot.  There was a set of bleachers where the fans would sit.  To the left was the field house which the Giants built for Pace when they opened up their Westchester campus.  There was a 5 to 6 foot walkway in front of the Bleachers and then a wooden ranch fence that separated us from the players.  The players would warm up right in front of us.  One time a number of players were auditioning for a long snappers position including LT.  Needless to say LT was not to good at it and he took a lot of ribbing from the players and coaches.  Parcells in particular was riding him.  The point is they were so close to us you could almost hear them talking to each other.

Another time George Young sat in the stands and talked to fans.  Young had a sharp mouth and there was some pretty good back and forth between him and the fans.

A different time and place.

Yeah, I'm glad I got to experience the old training camps, because I think they're gone for good.  I was one of the people who went back and forth with George Young, sitting in the bleachers at Pace.  This one day, he sauntered up and sat right next to me, sucking on an aqua-blue popsicle. 

I asked him about a DE named Bubba Baker, who was holding out on the Lions and they were trying to trade him.  He was a sack specialist and this was a huge need for the Giants at the time.  I asked Young if he had any interest in Baker and he guffawed and said, "No, Bubba Baker is a dog"!  I said, "well, he's got more sacks than anybody on your line" and Young said, "padded stats by piling on".  We went back and forth a few more times and I said something stupid: "He says it's not about the money".  He guffawed again, pointed the popsicle at me as he spoke.  "Lemme tell you something.  It's always about the money".  What a memory! 

I was a regular at Pace and got in the habit of throwing a cooler in the car, with a few beers on ice.  After practice, quite a few players came to know this and would wander by the car for a cold one!