Minicamp ends with scuffle, close call

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Pat Shurmur’s first minicamp with the New York Giants nearly had an ugly ending when highpriced left tackle Nate Solder tweaked a knee after being bumped during a helmet-swinging scuffle between defensive tackle Damon Harrison and rookie guard Will Hernandez.

Solder, who signed a four-year, $62 million contract in March, walked away from the fight on the third and final day of the minicamp on Thursday and sat on the grass after Harrison and Hernandez were separated.

Head trainer Ronnie Barnes examined Solder, and the former Patriot got up and tested the knee that seemed to be bumped by Hernandez during the altercation with Harrison.

Solder and Shurmur later said it was OK, but it could have been a lot worse. Coming off a 3-13 season, the Giants can’t afford to have their highest-priced free agent hurt in a minicamp where players are practicing in shorts and no pads.

Both players were taken out of the drills, and Shurmur talked to the 29-yearold Harrison, who swung Hernandez’s helmet at the rookie after a running play.

“It has been very competitive the whole camp,” Shurmur said. “There are certain things we certainly can’t do. We got it settled down. When scuffles break like that, in that situation, we just take them out of the practice and let them cool off.”

Shurmur said helmet swinging bothered him. Hernandez wasn’t shy, either. He threw punches at Harrison.

“Snacks is a very competitive guy and Will Hernandez is very competitive out there,” Shurmur said. “They just kind of butted heads.”

Solder downplayed the scuffle, saying he was fine.

Neither Harrison nor Hernandez was available

after practice to talk about the incident.

“We just have to focus on getting better, we have to play better football, we have to be a strong unit on the

offensive line, and we have to do what we can control,” said Solder, who protected the blind side of Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady for seven years before signing with New York. “Those things are battles, they happen, emotions rise, and you work through it and

move on.”

Giants players will be on their own until the end of July, when training camp opens.

“We’ve talked to them about all the work that we’ve done to this point, and with five weeks to go, it’s not time off, it’s time

away,” Shurmur said. “So, to continue with their preparation, we’re always talking to them about being a good citizen, and we say New York Giants pride for a reason. So, be very smart. Be good husbands, good fathers and be good citizens.”

Julio Cortez / Associated Press Damon Harrison (98), pictured here on May 29, engaged in a scuffle with rookie Will Hernandez on Thursday, which resulted in Nate Solder tweaking a knee when he was hit with Hernandez’s helmet.