PICK ’EM UP

Two of the most impressive catches of Giants mini-camp in June required a double-take to identify jersey No. 88 as tight end Ryan Malleck, a rookie free-agent signing out of Virginia Tech, and a local kid born in Teaneck, who grew up down the shore in Point Pleasant rooting for the Giants and Eli Manning.

Then suddenly on Saturday’s second day of training camp, Malleck, 23, was lining up on occasion with the first-team offense and Manning as his QB. He is clearly behind Larry Donnell and Will Tye on the depth chart, but he’s still encouraged about the opportunity to demonstrate versatility that could help him make the team.

“They give Donnell and Tye the reps and they deserve them. They’ve earned those reps,” Malleck said. “But coach sprinkles us in with the ones, and I think I fit with the ones today because I can play multiple positions.”

Malleck, a 6-4, 249-pounder, knows he made a good impression in June with two difficult grabs in tight coverage, but he stressed that it only matters if he can demonstrate value as a run blocker, too.

“I can make a play like I did in OTAs, but it doesn’t translate to putting pads on, it doesn’t translate to camp,” he said. “This is when you make the team. You can set yourself up nice in OTAs, but you need to perform every day.”

Donnell, 27, who missed the final eight games of last season with a neck injury, made two nice catches with fans cheering from the bleachers on Saturday, including a diving grab of a Manning toss at the right hash.

“Winning down the middle of the field is huge for this offense, and he’s someone that can definitely do that for us,” McAdoo said of Donnell. But the coach also stressed there is no cap on the amount of tight ends he intends to keep on the roster. He just wants to “keep the best players,” which gives Malleck a chance.

“We’re not gonna hold ourselves hostage on what type of numbers we want at different spots,” McAdoo said. “We’re not gonna hold ourselves to four tight ends, five. In the past I think we were the first team in Green Bay in 2011 to have five active (tight ends) … We’re gonna keep the best players we can keep.”

Eli Manning’s first pass of 7-on-7 drills was intercepted by Devon Kennard along the right sideline thanks to tight coverage by the third-year outside linebacker out of Southern Cal. “Great effort,” McAdoo said. “He made the same type of play last year in Buffalo on the same type of route. Great effort, good ball skills. I’m happy for the young man. It was a nice play.” The rookie head coach, previously the Giants offensive coordinator, laughed that he had “never” gotten excited about an interception prior to Kennard’s snag on Saturday.

Center Weston Richburg’s message for critics who said the Giants had to revamp the right side of their offensive line? “They didn’t,” he said. “And to us five, that gives us confidence that they trust us and we can do it. We did it the last four games of the season, against Carolina who had a very good defense. I’ve got the utmost confidence in what we have.” … Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said GM Jerry Reese’s offseason signings already have made a difference in the defense’s approach: “Yeah, you can feel it,” he said … Wideout Tavarres King, 26, caught a touchdown pass from backup QB Ryan Nassib in the front right corner of the end zone. McAdoo said King, a Giants practice

player last season with two career NFL catches, is “walking around like a guy who seems like he’s earned his stripes and he’s ready to take that next jump.” … Starting left tackle Ereck Flowers practiced in full Saturday after coming up lame in a Friday drill and limping through the rest of that first practice. McAdoo said there was no long-term concern. “He got through it,” the coach said. “He bumped into someone out there yesterday in a non-full speed drill, but he got through it today.” … McAdoo said Victor Cruz so far “looks to be on schedule” … Linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) is “getting closer” to being healthy enough to practice, though he remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with defensive tackles Damon (Snacks) Harrison (knee) and Jay Bromley (ankle).