Landon Collins was back to his Pro Bowl form during Friday’s New York Giants training camp practice while not worrying about his contract.
Prior to Friday’s practice, Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins spoke to the media. The first question he was asked pertained to his right forearm that he fractured in the Giants’ 23-0 Week 16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the very one that required a second surgery in April.
“The arm is 100 percent. I would say 110 percent, but the reality is it’s 100 percent.”
Another topic surrounding Collins is his contract situation as he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. When asked about the sticky situation, Collins made it clear that he’s focused on playing football rather than worrying about his contract.
Landon Collins at the podium answering questions. pic.twitter.com/5IdSpklP1a
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) July 27, 2018
“I just want to play ball, I’m not too stuck on the contract. At the end of the day what got me here is not worrying about a contract. What got me here is playing ball, playing fast, playing aggressive and trying to be the greatest each and every time I touch the field on Sunday.”
Collins’s focus on football was evident throughout practice on Thursday. The first part of practice was held inside, due to heavy rain, where Collins participated in defensive back drills and 11-on-11 drills with the first-team defense.
When practice was moved outside once the rain let up, Collins intercepted Eli Manning when the first team offense took on the first-team defense.
It was the second interception Manning threw in practice as he was intercepted by cornerback Grant Haley earlier in practice. All was not bad for Manning on Thursday as he did complete long passes to Odell Beckham Jr and Sterling Shepard.
Eli connecting with Sterling Shepard. @EliteSportsNY #GiantsPride #NYG pic.twitter.com/mKjEwtrR5x
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) July 27, 2018
Other news and notes:
General manager Dave Gettleman made his first appearance at the Giants facility since it was disclosed in June that he was currently suffering from lymphoma.
The 67-year-old Gettleman was in good spirits. Since the announcement, he’s gone through four rounds of chemotherapy and will need three more to complete his treatment.
His first comments thanked everyone for their support.
“Great to see you. I just wanted to say a couple things. Obviously publicly, I just wanted to thank everybody for all the support you guys reached out to me. It meant a lot, it touched my heart. You know, I had this crazy idea that I should do what the doctors told me. So I did, and I’m in a hell of a place, physically. I feel good. I still have to continue treatment, the type of chemo I have, I’m basically getting 99 percent of it on an in-hospital basis, so when I go into the hospital I’m in there for five days. I’ve got three more rounds of it, I’ve had four so far, so I’m over the hump. I’m certainly excited about it, and just got to keep going.
Like I said, I want to thank everybody for their support. Prayer does work, and being in the right place spiritually and mentally has been a huge plus for me. My family has been unbelievable.”
Dave Gettleman thanking everyone for their support and discussing his treatment. @EliteSportsNY #GiantsPride #NYG pic.twitter.com/mEumy0Pr6K
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) July 27, 2018
Damon Harrison did not practice for the second day in a row. Dalvin Tomlinson took his place at nose tackle with the first team defense with Kerry Wynn at left defensive end and B.J. Hill at right defensive end.
Player to watch:
Second-year receiver Amba Etta-Tawo continues to make plays with the second team offense. The sure handed 6-foot-1 194-pound receiver from the University of Syracuse has been impressive in OTAs and minicamp.
He’s definitely a player you need to keep your eyes on in the preseason because he has the potential to have a breakout performance similar to Victor Cruz and Tavarres King in years past.
