New York Giants Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins was once again a participant at OTA practice on Monday and for the first part of practice, he wasn’t wearing a red jersey.
Landon Collins is getting closer to full health as a full participant in practice following a second surgery on his right forearm that he broke in the Giants Week 16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Just as the case was last week, Collins participated in defensive back drills. Unlike last week, he wasn’t wearing a red jersey for the first part of practice.
Landon Collins and William Gay doing defensive back drills. Unlike last week Collins is not wearing a red jersey. Will have to check with Shurmur to see if Collins has been fully cleared. @EliteSportsNY #GiantsPride #NYG pic.twitter.com/VaCjXaiMa1
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) June 4, 2018
Red jerseys are worn in practice are for quarterbacks and players slowly making it back from an injury to alert teammates that these players are not to have any contact with them. So the fact that he wasn’t wearing a red jersey during the first part of defensive back drills was an encouraging sign.
After practice, Pat Shurmur was asked if Collins’ status has changed since last week.
“He’s getting better. Well, I wouldn’t say it has changed. I would just say that we’re going to be a little bit cautious because it’s a break that’s healed. We’re trying to get him in as much as we can, but a little bit at a time. But he looks good. He’s getting his extra running, he’s getting everything he needs mentally and I’ve been very pleased with his progress in all areas.”
Following practice, Collins also spoke with the media and spoke about how close he is to being 100 percent.
“I check with the doctors sometime this week, or next week. I’m very close. Just right now, we’re just taking the precautions, not putting me into the team things, getting my arm caught or anything. We’re right around the corner from the season, so we’re not about to risk anything.”
Landon Collins speaking after practice. He says he's close to being 100%. @EliteSportsNY #GiantsPride #NYG pic.twitter.com/1vn8dgbP8u
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) June 4, 2018
If Collins isn’t medically cleared to fully participate in mandatory minicamp next week, he should be cleared by the time the Giants report to training camp in July.
The sooner Collins is cleared, the better it will be for the Giants as they need their best defensive player in full action to get accustomed to James Bettcher’s defensive scheme.
Other news from OTAs
Odell Beckham Jr and Damon Harrison were not in attendance for Monday’s practice but Shurmur expects both will be back next week for minicamp. Shurmur was asked if he expects Beckham could be cleared to fully participate in minicamp next week.
“Yeah, possibly. We will have to see when we cross that bridge.”
Jon Halapio was starting at center with the first team offense on 11-on-11 drills. Most felt that Brett Jones would be the starting center, but Shurmur stated he’s been impressed with Halapio and that he’s competing with Jones.
“Pio is very smart, he’s got good instincts – he snaps the ball well, which is a really refreshing thing for a center. That was supposed to be humorous (laughs). But no, he does all of those things well and he’s very competitive and he knows how to play the game. I think (Brett) Jonesey is doing the same thing. They’re just in there competing. I wouldn’t over-evaluate who is getting the first team reps, but I think if you’re talking about Pio specifically, he has really sort of opened his eyes that he has a chance to play.”
Pat Shurmur answering questions following practice pic.twitter.com/rP8KNnUlrM
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) June 4, 2018
The Giants starting cornerbacks, Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple, made the two most impressive plays in practice.
First, Apple broke up a deep pass from Eli Manning that was intended for Sterling Shepard down the right sideline during 11-on-11 drills. Then on the next session, between the first team offense against the first team defense, Jenkins made a leaping interception in the left corner of the end zone on a fade pass that was intended for Cody Latimer.
As far as 11-on-11 went on Monday, the defense got the better of the offense. Shurmur spoke about Apple’s breakup and then Jenkins interception.
“Yeah, that was a good play. Then we saw Jackrabbit make a nice interception in the back of the end zone. The ball was thrown well, everyone was in a good position and he made a nice play on it. That’s a good thing. But then earlier on, Sterling (Shepard) made a couple nice plays, so that’s where when you look at it or point to a play or two, but within a practice, you see them kind of getting after each other and we don’t tally the score at this point. We’re just looking for guys to compete and work hard against one another so that we can all get better.”
Next week might be more challenging for the defense to outshine the offense especially if Beckham is practicing. We’ll have to wait and see what happens next week.
