New York Daily News

No Flowers in the spring for new Big Blue

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NOT everyone was in attendance for the Giants first voluntary offseason workout on Monday. Of all the players on the roster, Ereck Flowers was the only one who did not report to the team facility, according to a source.

The Giants’ 2015 first-round pick posted on his Instagram story a picture of a grass workout field which was clearly not the Quest Diagnostic­s Training Center in East Rutherford.

While attendance is not mandatory and the workouts consist mostly of strength training, Flowers’ absence is still alarming.

The 23-year-old is expected to compete for the starting job at right tackle in training camp due to the Giants’ acquisitio­n of free agent Nate Solder to replace him at left tackle.

GM Dave Gettleman said at the time of Solder’s signing that head coach Pat Shurmur told Flowers their plan for him and that “Ereck was fine on the phone.”

During a conference call Monday morning, Shurmur stressed how important it was for all players to be present in order to learn the new program and get to know the completely revamped coaching staff.

“In my mind, it’s important for everybody to be around so they can hear it, learn it and then do it together,” said Shurmur. “This is the ultimate team game and we need to work together because it’s important that we are all on the same page as we move toward the fall.”

Eli Manning also said players who choose not to show up would fall behind and cause the learning process to slow down for the rest of the team.

This is not the first time Flowers’ commitment to the team has come into question.

Former Giants offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz reported that Flowers, along with teammate Bobby Hart, both refused to play in the Week 17 game against Washington last season.

Flowers and interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo both denied the report, citing his ankle injury. Hart was cut the night before the game.

Flowers is in the final year of his rookie contract and would still need to be paid $4.5 million in dead money without saving anything against the cap if the Giants cut him, per overthecap.com.

APPLE OF HIS EYE

The Giants are giving cornerback Eli Apple a clean slate, and so is Landon Collins.

The safety, who called Apple a ‘cancer’ at the end of last year’s 3-13 season, said the two have “buried the hatchet” and he is excited that Apple is still with the team.

“That’s my guy, my brother, always going to have his back,” Collins said via a conference call on Monday. “We know what we got to do. We know what kind of player he is, know what kind of player I am and just trying to make this season go.”

ELI DODGES DRAFT

Manning refused to discuss who he thinks the Giants should take with the No. 2 overall pick. “That’s why they have all the scouts and (general manager) Dave Gettleman and the coaches in doing all their work to figure out who is available and who is the best player,” Manning said. “There is no point in speculatin­g who you might draft or what’s going to happen here or there. We’ve just got to wait until draft night.”

MY MANN

Manning spoke hopefully about a future that includes Odell Beckham Jr. as his teammate.

Asked about any advice he’d give Beckham, who’s looking for a new deal, Manning said: “He’s gotta do what’s best for him and get ready to play this upcoming season. I’ll talk to him and give him my two cents, but he’s gotta do what he needs to to be able to play at a high level...We all know what talent Odell has, and I look forward to playing with him this year and years to come.”

Of the OBJ trade-talk drama, Manning said: “You can’t get caught up with what’s being said on TV or in the news... I think it’s important to have great communicat­ion with the coaches and ownership and make sure everybody’s on the same page. I never got too concerned with it.”

JONESING FOR A CENTER

Center Brett Jones has resigned with the Giants on a oneyear contract, according to a source. Jones, who turns 27 in July, signed the one-year, $2.914 million deal tendered by the team as a restricted free agent.

Jones appeared in all 16 games, starting 13. — With Pat Leonard.

 ?? GETTY ?? Odell Beckham shows up for first day of Giants offseason workouts, but how he proceeds from here will determine his future.
GETTY Odell Beckham shows up for first day of Giants offseason workouts, but how he proceeds from here will determine his future.
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