Rookie linebacker turning heads in camp
EAST RUTHERFORD >> With Alec Ogletree nursing a calf injury, there’s a strong possibility that rookie Ryan Connelly will be starting again at inside linebacker in the Giants’ preseason game against the Bengals on Thursday night.
Those are no small shoes to fill considering Ogletree relays calls to the rest of the defense. Connelly, a fifth-round pick out of Wisconsin, has gone from playing Big Ten football less than a year ago to now working frequently with the Giants’ first-team unit.
“At first I’m not going to lie, it was a little overwhelming,” Connelly said at practice this week. “But I think that’s just something that with more reps under the belt, a little more game experience I think is invaluable. That just kind of helps boost your confidence, and then also playing with the same guys and getting more reps with the same guys helps as well.”
After playing 29 snaps in the preseason opener with reserve players, Connelly started last week against the Bears and added 21 more snaps to his memory bank.
Head coach Pat Shurmur said early in camp that Connelly impresses with his instincts and the fact that he doesn’t take many “false steps.” Connelly said his acumen and veteran traits at a young age stem from Wisconsin, which has had 12 players drafted into the NFL since 2017.
“You were kind of expected to be a pro there, for lack of better words,” Connelly said. “When you come here it’s just kind of, you’ve always got to take care of your business, you’ve got to take care of yourself, and so I think that’s definitely helped to make it be a smooth transition.”
Still, Connelly added that the NFL is “definitely not easier by any means” than he expected despite his rapid climb up the depth chart with modest outside expectations as the No. 143 overall selection in the 2019 draft.
Mentally, he’s been focused on staying patient, trusting his eyes and learning how defenses disguise their intentions within various formations.
“Physically there are some easier days, but at the end of the day if you’re not on top of it mentally, you can just have a terrible practice,” Connelly said. “So I think just making sure mentally I’m always in the playbook, I’m always studying film and making sure I’m on top of that.”
When the season opens, Connelly will likely be the top reserve inside linebacker behind Ogletree and Tae Davis. There are questions as to whether the 6-foot-2, 242-pounder possesses the physical traits to eventually be a rangy cover linebacker in the NFL. But with his intelligence and efficiency, he’s injected optimism that he can maximize his skills sufficiently.
“I have confidence in my abilities,” Connelly said. “I think if you didn’t you’re playing in the wrong league. You’ve got to believe that you can be out there and do what they all do. But I definitely think if your instincts are good and you’re maybe a step ahead of it mentally as far as what can possibly come out of different formations, then that could for sure compensate for maybe a lack of speed or what not.”
Cornerback
Although none of the injuries appear to be serious, the Giants are dealing with health issues at cornerback this summer.
DeAndre Baker (knee), Grant Haley (shoulder), Antonio Hamilton (groin) and Sam Beal (hamstring) have all missed practice time. Haley returned for the second preseason game and Baker worked back into individual drills this week, but he’s questionable for Thursday’s game in Cincinnati.
Shurmur admitted it has been challenging to evaluate Beal, whom the Giants selected in the 2018 supplemental draft by sacrificing a 2019 third-round pick. He missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury and has nursed a hamstring injury for most of camp.
Does he need to be healthy by the end of the preseason to make the 53-man roster?
“We’re going to have to see,” Shurmur said. “It’s something we’re going to have to evaluate as we go forward. He’s getting healthier by the day. It’s just unfortunate that we haven’t been able to see him do much. But unfortunately, that’s the way it is sometimes.”
Shurmur praised Janoris Jenkins’ leadership role as the lone veteran cornerback.
“I think he’s had a really good camp,” Shurmur said. “Again, you don’t have to be vocal to lead. I’ve said that before. I think he’s done a really good job of helping mentor those players. A lot of times, it’s nothing that you say. We all are very aware of what people do. Certainly, the young guys are able to watch how he trains, how he studies, how he competes, and there’s something to be learned from that.”
Wide Receiver
Shurmur said fifth-round pick Darius Slayton is “really, really close” to making his preseason debut. He appears to be a game-time decision for Thursday.
The wide receiver from Auburn has been limited in camp by a hamstring injury but is unlikely to be in danger of missing the 53-man roster. With Golden Tate suspended for the first four games, the Giants will likely keep five other receivers after preseason cuts.
With Sterling Shepard the only true lock to make the team, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Russell Shepard and T.J. Jones could be competing for three spots.