Gano has nothing to prove in camp this year

Graham Gano seems to do what he wants in training camp with the New York Giants. The 34-yearold placekicker usually hangs around with punter Riley Dixon, snapper Casey Kreiter, fellow kicker Ryan Santoso and his coaches. Entering his 12th season in the NFL, Gano doesn’t need anyone to tell him how to get ready for a season.

Kickers are like that. They are generally left to practice on their own, whether it’s field goal attempts, kickoffs, squib kicks or whatever.

Unlike a year ago, Gano really doesn’t have to start delivering until the Giants host the Denver Broncos in the season opener on Sept. 12.

He was released by Carolina on July 30 after missing the previous season with a knee injury. It was kind of a no-brainer for the Panthers. Joey Slye was coming off a monster season and Gano was a question mark with the injury and his age.

Gano signed a one-year deal with New York on Aug. 19 and gave the Giants more than anyone expected. He hit 31 of 32 field goal attempts with his only miss from from 57 yards in the second week of the season. He ended the season setting a team record by making his final 30 field goal attempts. His performance earned him a $14 million contract extension in November through the end of the 2023 season.

“I was just thankful for the opportunity last year,” Gano said Friday. “I had the knee surgery, I felt confident in my abilities, but I think the biggest thing I was just thankful to play the game again and that’s kind of how I feel.”