Big Blue View
Russell Wilson’s value, Gunner Olszewski’s big day, Montrell Washington, Jaxson Dart, roster moves, more
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants held their 10th practice of training camp on Monday at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. This one was in shells.
Here are some of the things we learned.
The Giants are depleted enough at running back that they are reportedly adding journeyman running Jonathan Ward.
Cam Skattebo is apparently dealing with a hamstring injury and undrafted free agent Rushawn Baker has a knee injury. The Giants had only three backs — Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary and Dante Miller — on the field Monday.
Ward will at least help the Giants practice this week, and then get through Saturday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills without having to overextend Tracy or Singletary.
More injury notes:
Wide receivers Darius Slayton and Beaux Collins, tight end Thomas Fidone (concussion), edge defender Chauncey Golston, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and cornerback Korie Black did not practice.
Greg Van Roten was back to practice after the birth of his daughter, Anna. As he had previously, Van Roten split time with Evan Neal at right guard with the first team.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart continued to work with the second team, something he has done regularly during the past few practices.
Unofficially, I had Dart 6 of 11 with a red zone touchdown pass to wide receiver Zach Pascal.
If I am going to quibble with anything Dart is doing right now, my concern would be how long he holds the ball in the pocket sometimes before deciding to either throw the ball or get out of there.
I didn’t know that was possible, considering that I turn 65 in nine days. Head coach Brian Daboll, though, informed me that is indeed the case.
That came about when I asked Daboll a question on Monday morning. Here is the shocking exchange:
Q: You talked a lot about adding toughness to the roster, but along with that, you seem to have added a lot of guys with what you might call personality, or swag, or attitude. Does one go with the other, or was that intentional as well?
DABOLL: “Well, we look for good football players, first and foremost. And I’d say we place a high premium on toughness, both physical and mental. Something we talked a lot about in the offseason, I think we’ve added that. In terms of the swag, I think everybody, you got your own swag, Ed. Those guys got their swag. I think probably everybody defines swag a little bit differently here. But I do like the pieces that we’ve added, the personalities. But I like their instincts as football players, competitiveness and their overall toughness.”
— Wide receiver Montrell Washington on his uphill fight to make the 53-man roster
The aforementioned Washington, who has been impressive...
