Hopes high as Giants begin training camp
New York looks to take next step after ending playoff drought in 2016
There is a sense of optimism and big expectations for the Giants as they reported to training camp.
Coming off an 11-5 regular season and their first trip to the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012, there is a sense of optimism and big expectations for the New York Giants.
The defense has almost everyone back. The offense has added playmakers such as receiver Brandon Marshall and rookie tight end Evan Engram to support Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., and there is hope that the much-maligned offensive line will come around after getting a vote of confidence from management.
For the players reporting Thursday, there is also the knowledge that a thin line separates winners and losers. Nothing is guaranteed. An injury here or there or a couple of bad bounces can shatter seasons.
“There’s a lot of optimism. There’s a lot of excitement,” said guard Justin Pugh, whose five years with the team make him one of its longest-serving members. “We’ve added some really good guys to the team, so there’s definitely a lot of excitement. I remember driving over here this morning just like a kid on Christmas. I mean, we got a lot of things to look forward to this year.”
Not everything went well last season. The Giants were embarrassed in the postseason, losing 38-13 to the Packers in Green Bay.
All-Pro defensive tackle Damon Harrison said his mission this year is the same as last: be better.
“We don’t come here just to be subpar, we come here to perform at our highest level,” he said. “If everybody does that, then I’m sure we’ll win some games. But as far as predicting wins and losses and, you know, Super Bowls or bust, I don’t think anyone is here for that.”
Harrison said his biggest
concern is focusing on the things he did wrong and becoming more consistent. It’s simply a matter of working hard, and he does not think the defense will have a problem with that, especially with everyone back except tackle Johnathan Hankins, who signed with the Colts as a free agent.
“Nobody is in the locker room talking about, ‘I was an All-Pro, I went to the Pro Bowl,’ or, ‘We got it figured out,”’ Harrison said. “Guys are still trying to get better genuinely. And you’ll see that this training camp. We still don’t have everything figured out.”