Collins riles up Shurmur

Pat Shurmur doesn’t seem overly concerned Ereck Flowers has so far skipped the team’s optional spring workouts. But the new Giants coach clearly was not pleased to hear Landon Collins chime in, saying Flowers was upset Big Blue replaced him at left tackle with Nate Solder in the offseason.

“That’s not for Landon to talk about,” the first-year coach said Saturday before the second day of rookie minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. “The important thing is let’s let Ereck talk for Ereck when he gets here, and we’ll talk about that later. I don’t think our players should be talking about another player’s situation.”

Last year, Collins spoke up about cornerback Eli Apple’s struggles and it had a negative effect, with the two clashing late in the year. Collins recently went on WFAN and said the reason Flowers hasn’t been part of the offseason workouts is “he’s very upset that they picked up Nate Solder. That’s it.”

Shurmur wouldn’t say when Flowers, the disappointing former first-round pick who has started 47 of a possible 49 games at left tackle in his first three seasons, will be back. Or if he will attend the mandatory minicamp June 12-14. There has been communication with Flowers, the Giants coach said, and Shurmur has been told he’s in “good shape.” With Solder taking over at left tackle, Flowers will move over to the right side, though it isn’t a guarantee he will be the starter there.

“I can’t wait for him to be here,” Shurmur said. “I’ve mentioned it in the past. There were some things he did last year that were really good. I look forward to him getting here at some point and working with him.”

It’s been a tumultuous offseason for Flowers. He lost his job to Solder, hired agent Drew Rosenhaus and saw the Giants decline to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him a free agent after the coming season. But his new coach, at least publicly, still supports him.

“We feel we’re a better team with him than without him,” Shurmur said.