First practice in the books for rookies
There was, of course, a lot of fuss about what number New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, would wear.
Carter asked Lawrence Taylor if he could don the retired No. 56, and got rejected. Phil Simms broached the idea of letting Carter wear No. 11, which Carter had worn at Penn State. Simms’ wife and daughter put the kabosh on that.
Carter took the field on Friday for the first practice of rookie minicamp wearing No. 51, worn last season by Azeez Ojulari.
“It’s gonna have to grow on me a little bit,” Carter said, admitting that he didn’t necessarily “choose” it.
“Pretty much what we had available,” he said. “It’s pretty much set.”
Much was made of Carter versatility, and the Giants will likely move him around on defense. He is, for now, though working exclusive with the outside linebackers.
“iIt’s so early right now he’s just learning the beginning stages of the playbook,” said head coach Brian Daboll. “We’ll do whatever we think is best for the team.”
Michael Strahan visits practice
Hall of Famer and legendary Giant Michael Strahan attended Friday’s practice. Strahan broke down practice at the end with a short speech.
“That was dope,” Carter said. “I just want to be a part of bringing that legacy back, bringing that greatness back to New York.”
Rookie defensive tackle Darius Alexander, the team’s third-round pick, said “it was great seeing a Hall of Famer out here on the first day … it was awesome.”
Cam Skattebo’s chip
Don’t tell rookie running back Cam Skatttebo he doesn’t have anything left to prove.
“How many snaps of the NFL have you seen me play? Zero, right? I’ve proved nothing,” he said. “I’ve proved what I am in college, but I’ve proved nothing at this level. So now where I’m at, I have to prove myself and if that’s for five years or if that’s for 10 years, I’m going to continue to prove myself.”
Skattebo is, of course, known for his physicality. He was asked what he loves about playing that way.
“Getting in the end zone. I mean it feels good when you run somebody over and then get in the end zone. I mean it feels good when you get in the end zone, but imagine running someone over and then running another person over and then getting in the end zone,” he said. “It’s that much better (laughs). So, it just shows that when you’re physical, it shows the work you put in in the weight room and how much you do to make your game better.”
Darius Alexander’s loyalty
Alexanders spent six years at Toledo despite opportunities to cash in on NIL money at bigger schools.
“I don’t think the grass is always greener on the other side,” Alexander said. “I didn’t want to chase the money. I wanted to chase the goal of playing in the NFL … I just wanted to stay true to myself and stay true to where I was at.”
