In Saquon Barkley’s absence, new Giants receiver Parris Campbell did some individual work with the running backs during Wednesday’s final day of mandatory minicamp.
Campbell, a former Indianapolis Colt, took some handoffs on a delay and jet sweep and even ran as the pitch man on an option.
“I did it some in Indy,” Campbell said. “But it’s really my high school and my college background. It’s not new to me. It’s something I like to do because they’re using me in different ways. I feel like that’s something that I’m good at, too. Getting some reps back there is good.”
Campbell isn’t the only Giants receiver backfield versatility. Second-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who is still rehabbing a torn ACL, was a standout high school running back who carried the ball plenty at Nebraska before transferring to Kentucky, too.
This is relevant because without Barkley, the Giants’ RB depth chart doesn’t present an obvious permanent solution at the position with Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, Jashaun Corbin and fifth-round rookie Eric Gray.
But seeing Campbell work there, with the possibility that Robinson could get some touches there when healthy, too, might be shining a light on the kind of multiple creativity Brian Daboll could use to generate a running game, if necessary.
New running backs coach Jeff Nixon said Wednesday that a team ideally should be three to four backs deep, with at minimum two to three backs in a rotation that helps keep the No. 1 guy fresh.
He saw first-hand in Carolina when Christian McCaffrey got hurt, and eventually traded, how important it was to have players like D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard ready to go.
Nixon called Barkley an “exciting player” whose tape speaks for itself. He also said young guys like Corbin and Gray can push for roles by learning how to become “three-down backs.”
Nixon said the biggest challenge for a back in this system is learning the offense’s protection schemes and checkdown routes to ensure the coaches and quarterback know they can count on the player.
He said the coaching will be honest and firm, designed to help each player improve.
“We tell the guys the truth,” he said. “We’re not going to sugarcoat anything.”
That’s necessary, because every day the July 17 contract deadline for Barkley grows closer is another day for the Giants to consider alternatives if they’re not going to move towards a middle ground with their top back.
The preference is to have Barkley with the team at the start of training camp later next month. But he hasn’t signed his $10 million franchise tag tender. He made clear a holdout would be on the table as an option if he doesn’t get a multi-year deal by July 17 at 4 p.m.
And there is no resolution in sight.
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard ran some routes and caught passes from Daniel Jones during the individual period as he works back from a torn ACL. “I’m right on schedule where I wanted to be, a little bit ahead,” he said Tuesday. “My goal is to be ready for the season.” … Daboll alternated the first-string players at center, slot corner and strong safety during the two-day camp. Ben Bredeson was the top center on Tuesday. Cor’Dale Flott was the top nickel corner. And Nick McCloud lined up at safety next to Xavier McKinney. Then on Wednesday, rookie second-rounder John Michael Schmitz was back in the middle with the first unit, Darnay Holmes ran with the first-team defense in the slot, and Bobby McCain manned strong safety. Those are position battles to watch during camp, although Schmitz has extensive experience during a long college career at Minnesota and was drafted to start … Starting middle linebacker Jarrad Davis didn’t practice this week. He received treatment both days inside the building, while Micah McFadden took his spot. Backup corner Leonard Johnson and edge rusher Elerson Smith also stayed inside … Wednesday was the first open practice in a while that Daboll didn’t explode. Pretty much once a practice the previous three or four open sessions, Daboll had screamed or flipped out on somebody, including assistant coaches, for mistakes or substitution issues. Rookie corner Deonte Banks and vet Adoree Jackson were in the vicinity during Daboll’s latest blowup on Tuesday. He kept cool in the final practice of the spring, though … Campbell caught three straight passes from Jones in Tuesday’s practice underneath. Darius Slayton caught a deep touchdown on Banks. Isaiah Hodgins remains a preferred Jones target and seems to get in the end zone every practice, although Banks broke up a fade intended for him in the second practice. David Sills had a nice catch up the left seam on Wednesday … McCain intercepted a Tyrod Taylor throw toward the right sideline and took it to the house on Tuesday. Linebacker Bobby Okereke nearly picked off Jones over the middle on Wednesday … Darren Waller’s workload was kept at a minimum all spring. He even stepped early out of 7-on-7 periods this week. He’s healthy, and the Giants are doing this intentionally to try and keep it that way. “Talk about trying to hold a horse back,” tight end coach Andy Bischoff said, referring to the “load management” that Waller has embraced under the Giants training staff’s direction … Daboll ran install periods in both practices where the players all took their helmets off and went at a brisk walk/slow jog pace. The new NFL … Daboll appeared to practice the Joe Judge QB sneak call during a Wednesday install/walkthrough period, with Jones and the first-team offense hunkering down up against their own goal line and pushing steadily out. There was some smiling and laughing after they ran it … The following players worked on the side with trainers and didn’t practice this week: receivers Robinson and (mostly) Shepard, safeties Jason Pinnock and Dane Belton, corner Aaron Robinson, linebacker Darrian Beavers, tight end Dre Miller, tackle Marcus McKethan, and D-linemen A’Shawn Robinson, D.J. Davidson and Vernon Butler … The Giants planned to have a team cookout at the facility on Thursday for players, staff and families to send them into the break before the start of camp in late July.
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