Tag: jamison crowder

New York Giants have a problem at wide receiver and it’s a good thing

The New York Giants have a number of options at slot receiver this season, a situation made even more competitive after two veterans logged in solid showings Friday night in Detroit.

Cole Beasley caught all four of his targets for a total of 33 yards and Jamison Crowder reeled in both of his for 32 yards.

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The Giants signed each veteran this offseason as insurance after the receiver cupboard ran bare last season due to injuries, forcing the team to sign players off the street.

One of the players they brought in last fall was Isaiah Hodgins, who provided the Giants with a huge boost down the stretch as they drove toward the playoffs.

On Friday night, Hodgins — a prospective starter on the outside — caught one pass for 13 yards to remind everyone that he’s still very much in the plans.

Head coach Brian Daboll put Hodgins in for 18 snaps in the game, some early on and then again later in the game.

“I thought it was good for him,” Daboll said. “He was a practice squad player for a while there and came on with us late, so I thought it was good to get him some reps early on with Tyrod (Taylor).”

The Giants’ wide receiver room is a very crowded one this summer and when the music stops on August 29 for final cuts there won’t be enough chairs. Several will be going home, or at the least, to the practice squad.

Sterling Shepard is back, along with Darius Slayton and Hodgins. They, along with third-rounder Jalin Hyatt and free agent Parris Campbell, are all shoe-ins to make the roster.

That leaves perhaps three open spots on the 53-man roster. With Beasley and Crowder stepping up, that number could be reduced to just one. Several players will have two games to make their cases.

Heralded rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton did not have an impressive debut, failing to reel in any of his three targets and dropping a sure reception that hit him squarely in the chest.

The ever-reliable David Sills V made the most of his time, catching two passes for 36 yards, including one for a 22-yard gain. Sills is a long shot to make the team. The 27-year-old has been with the Giants since 2019, either on the active roster or the practice squad.

Kalil Pimpleton continues to play well, catching both of his chances for a total of 15 yards. He can also contribute on special teams as a returner.

Jaydon Mickens had a six-yard reception in the game, but he appears to be headed to the practice squad (at best).

Collin Johnson, who missed all of 2022 with an Achilles injury, left the game with a knee issue. The 6-foot-6 former Texas standout had been having a solid camp.

As of Saturday, Daboll did not have an updated status on Johnson’s injury.

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New York Giants drop preseason opener to Detroit Lions: 7 takeaways

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The Giants suffered a few injuries in the game. Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott left the game early in the threw quarter with an abdominal issue and wide receiver Collin Johnson left with a knee injury.

“I don’t (know),” head coach Brian Daboll said when asked about the status of both injuries.

“I haven’t even talked to the trainers yet. Other than just on the field they told me they were out. Collin, I think was his knee, and I got to see what it was for Flott. (Giants CB) Nick (McCloud)’s stomach I think, something he got hit in the stomach, but I don’t know any — to the extent of it.”

Punter Jamie Gillan turned his ankle but returned to the game.

Offensive lineman Tyre Phillips missed the game with a leg injury.

“Yeah, he got dinged up,” said Daboll. “That was the leg I was telling you about in practice. I think I told you guys that one practice, him and someone had an ankle.”

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Giants activate Sterling Shepard off PUP, Jamison Crowder off NFI

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll was back in front of the media on Sunday morning after a day off on Saturday and revealed the team would be activating both Sterling Shepard and Jamison Crowder.

Daboll opened the presser by announcing that Shepard (knee) will be coming off the PUP list on Sunday and will be participating in drills. It will be his first time back on the filed since tearing his ACL last September.

Daboll also said they are activating 2023 free-agent signing, Crowder (calf), off the non-football injury list. He will also take part in practice.

Among other injury updates, defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who was involved in a car accident last week that landed him in the concussion protocol, will also be back to practice on Sunday.

The same will be the case for veteran wide receiver Cole Beasley (quad) and rookie defensive back Gervarrius Owens.

Linebacker Jihad Ward (undisclosed ailment) and backup tight end Ryan Jones (undisclosed) will sit out Sunday’s drills.

The first week of practice has many wondering if the team’s first-round pick, cornerback Deonte Banks out of Maryland, is ready to step right in and start this season. Daboll didn’t say either way but had some positive feed back on Banks.

The Giants traded up one spot in the first round in this year’s draft to select Banks, who they see as a physical player who can man-up with the bigger outside receivers in the league.



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New York Giants have logjam at wide receiver

The New York Giants will be taking 15 wide receivers to training camp this week, leading to the question — what is the plan?

Are they just throwing options against the wall to see what sticks? Or are they simply creating competition to see who will rise, or are they safeguarding themselves in case of a repeat of last year when they suffered an unusually high number of injuries?

It could be a little of both. The team found themselves shorthanded last season and they don’t want to get caught short again.

The unit will be run again by assistant coach Mike Groh and he will have a diverse group of players of all shapes, sizes and skill sets who possess a varied level of NFL experience.

Of the 15 players, perhaps eight of them will make the team’s final 53-man roster, and — if things go right — one or two of them could end up leading the team in targets and/or catches.

But that will be difficult. The Giants’ big move this offseason on offense was the trade for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. He is expected to be heavily involved in the passing game.

So is running back Saquon Barkley, when he returns from his ‘holdout.’ Barkley has been the Giants’ best receiver when healthy the past few years and there’s no reason to stop throwing him the football.  Between he and Waller, there will be fewer opportunities for the wideouts, unless something changes.

So, what should fans expect this summer at wide receiver?

Expect the veterans to get the benefit of the doubt, at least in the beginning. That means initial work for Sterling Shepard, who is returning from another lost season due to injury, and Darius Slayton. Toss in Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson (when he’s ready), along with free agents Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, Jeff Smith, Cole Beasley, and rookie Jalin Hyatt.

The Giants will try to forge a serviceable unit out of those names. They are top-heavy on slot receivers it seems so they might thin the herd there in favor of some outside options.

The others will all have to have monster camps to even be considered. Collin Johnson, David Sills and rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton are interesting names to watch but where do they fit? Jaydon Mickens, Makai Polk and Kalil Pimpleton are long shots and will have to show special teams prowess to stick.

Wide receiver will be a heavily contested unit this summer and will be a fun one to follow.

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9 New York Giants players who need a strong training camp

The New York Giants will soon return to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey for their 2023 training camp.

For many players, the impression made on coaches and front-office executives over the summer will determine their future with the organization. Even some of the established veterans and recent signees will have something to prove as they convene to lay the foundation for the second season under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.

Some will look to prove they’ve made progress since they joined the team. Others will look to prove they’re better than the rookies brought in at their respective positions. Training camp will ultimately paint a clear picture of the best players.

Here are nine Giants players who need to have a strong training camp for one reason or another.

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The competition at left guard will be among the team’s most interesting training camp battles.

Shane Lemieux dealt with injuries a season ago, which opened the door for veteran Ben Bredeson, who earned the trust of the coaching staff. And with John Michael Schmitz taking over at center, Bredeson will shift back to left guard where he’ll compete with Lemieux and Joshua Ezeudu.

General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll insist they like their depth at the position but the starting job is still open to be had. Lemieux will need to demonstrate health and consistency throughout camp or run the risk being the odd man out.

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Gary Brightwell has been a solid player for the Giants, both offensively and on special teams. However, there will be a new body at the position this year in the form of rookie Eric Gray, who also plays special teams. Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida will serve as the 1-2 punch and then it will come down to Brightwell, Gray and Jashaun Corbin. With the rookie all but guaranteed a roster spot, Brightwell will have to make a strong case this summer.

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Evan Neal is guaranteed the starting spot at right tackle but that doesn’t mean his training camp performance is insignificant. He’s already under tremendous pressure and that’s only going to increase if he comes out and struggles this summer. He needs to start hot and carry that momentum into the regular season where he will be one of the Giants’ most important players — if not the team’s most important player.

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The clock is ticking on linebacker Elerson Smith and time may run out if he doesn’t perform well throughout training camp. The 2021 fourth-round pick has spent much of his young career injured and on the sideline, and he’s falling further and further down the depth chart. The good news is that the Giants could use all the pass rush help they can get, so the opportunities will be there. It’s up to Elerson to seize them.

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Like many others on this list, cornerback Aaron Robinson has failed to live up to his billing largely due to injuries. With the additions of Amari Oruwariye and rookie Tre Hawkins III, as well as a potentially larger role for Nick McCloud, Robinson is at risk of missing the boat. He has to stay on the field and prove to the team he’s worthy of not only a roster spot, but playing time. The same applies to Rodarius Williams.

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It’s a numbers game at wide receiver and that doesn’t even include the eventual returns of Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson, both of whom are essentially guaranteed a roster spot when healthy. That leaves several players, including free agent signings, potentially fighting for their fate as a Giant. One such player is Jamison Crowder, who has the upper hand given his offseason workouts with Daniel Jones. Still, there are only so many spots available, so he’ll have to prove his worth as both a receiver and as a special teams asset.

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Jeff Smith is in the same exact boat as Crowder. It’s really just a numbers game at this point and the veteran will have to prove his worth in multiple areas in order to earn a roster spot. Smith only has limited special teams experience so he’ll need a strong summer performance in order to stick.

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Lawrence Cager is an athletic and arguably even underrated talent but the Giants suddenly have bodies at tight end. Darren Waller will take the top spot but Daniel Bellinger will see his fair share of playing time, which is well deserved. As a result, Cager will have to shine brighter than free agent signing Tommy Sweeney, who comes over from Buffalo, and rookie Ryan Jones. Chris Myarick may also see some training camp snaps at tight end, although the team currently lists him as their only fullback.

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Losing Jarrad Davis hurts the Giants at the top-end of their roster and will likely force some depth guys into more prominent roles. Second-year players Darrian Beavers and Micah McFadden seem to have the early edge, while Cam Brown is a likely lock given his dominant special teams play. That leaves Carter Coughlin, a 2020 seventh-round pick, to battle it out with Dyontae Johnson and Troy Brown. The margin for error is extremely slim for Coughlin.

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