New York Giants Media Day: Quick Hits and Tidbits

Nat Berhe – Photo by Connor Hughes

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The New York Giants’ media day has wrapped up and is complete. Below you will find a few quick hits and tidbits that stood out from today’s player availability portion.

• A lot has been made of Giants’ fourth-round draft pick Andre Williams and his size. Is he big? Is he powerful? Well, I can say from looking at him first hand, he’s all the above. The guy is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL as he’s built, fit, and just a big guy.

• Sticking with Williams, I asked him if he had talked to free-agent acquisition Rashaad Jennings and compared play styles. Being a bigger running back in the NFL, you need to carry yourself different as you take quite a bit of additional hits. Jennings has had success with this. Williams said he has not talked to him about that yet, as he has buried himself in the playbook.

• Jay Bromley spoke to the media for quite awhile, mostly about his weight. The defensive tackle didn’t gain much college interest as he was always smaller, and began his Syracuse career at 260 pound. Four years later, he played his senior season at 296. Bromley said the coaches have told him they want him around 315-320, but “If I can ball at this weight, they won’t say anything.”

• I asked Bromley what kind of player he expects to be at the next level. Does he view himself as a run-stopper, pass-rusher, or all the above? He said, bluntly, “I want to get after the quarterback.”

• One of the more impressive interviews of the day was given by first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. and it became very evident very quickly why New York fell in love with him. The kid has a great attitude for the game, is very hungry to perform and is incredibly well spoken. While GM Jerry Reese spoke after the draft pick about Beckham being used primarily outside, the LSU alum said he has also put in some work inside.

• One more quick thing on Beckham: It had been rumored that he would be a logical choice at kick returner, that’s not the case. Beckham said that he has been told they may use him at punt returner, but nothing was mentioned with kick returner. That job seems reserved, per Beckham’s words, for Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps.

• By far and away the player that stood out the most was Adrien Robinson. The oft-injured tight end seems very dialed in knowing his chances are wearing out. He seems in good shape, down 15 pounds and looking to make it 20, and seems to truly love the new offense. Unlike before, Robinson and his fellow tight ends will be moving around quite a bit, including in the backfield.

• The more Robinson talked, the more I couldn’t help but wonder if Brandon Myers wasn’t just a year too early for the Giants. The way the new offense plans to utilize the tight end seems to fit his skill set perfectly. That, and Jermichael Finley.

• The one alarming thing that stood out about Robinson was when he mentioned his weight from last year. The 25-year-old played at 285 pounds and that wasn’t per the coaches request.

• No one has put on any pads, but Nat Berhe has everything off the field you want from an NFL player. Heart, toughness, is built very well and looks to be in great shape. Berhe also said he models his play off of Antrel Rolle. Again, no pads have been put on, but he’s my bet for one of those hidden gems found in the draft. 

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In The Corner Forum, we asked you, the fans, if you had any questions for the players. Here are some of those answered:

From Peter S – I’d ask Adrien Robinson if he feels that this can be the year he establishes himself as the tight end the offense needs to be complete?
— Robinson made it very evident on multiple occasions that this is his golden opportunity. “This is my third year” was mentioned several times.

From Dan in the Springs – (Nassib) Compare/contrast this new offense and the one you played in at Syracuse?
— Nassib was pretty short with his interview today. He said there was “some” carry over.

From ANGPASS – Could (Walton) play tomorrow if there was a game?
— Walton said that he was ready to play Week 10 of last year and he is 100-percent healthy.

From ANGPASS (Walton) – Would he as comfortable playing guard as he would center?
— He said he has not played guard before and that he’s a center.

From Viggie – What position do they envision Devon Kennard playing? LB or DE or is he going to be some type of hybrid?
— The Giants are right now primarily using Kennard as a MIKE/Middle with the intention of working him at SAM/Strong Side as well. Kennard said he prefers SAM because it allows him to get after the quarterback. I asked him personally if he could put his hand in the dirt, similar to Kiwanuka, and play DE, he said if the coaches asked him to he would, but that hasn’t been mentioned yet.

From ChathamMark – (Richburg and Walton) Not ‘can’ they play guard, but how much guard have they actually played in their careers.
— Richburg has played some at guard; it doesn’t seem like Walton has at all. From Walton’s own words, he’s a center.

From NewBlue – (Will Hill) Why man?
— Will Hill is in the building for NYG, and according to The Star-Ledger‘s Conor Orr, seemed in good spirits. Orr saw Hill before we were brought out to the podium.

Many of you asked questions on Xavier Grimble, unfortunately I was unable to get to his presser. He spoke at the same time as I believe Bromley, which was the one I was covering. Apologize for that, but we will get transcript up ASAP.