Head coach John Harbaugh gathered New York Giants players on Tuesday for the first time as the team’s voluntary offseason program began. Here are five takeaways from the day, beyond the discussion of Dexter Lawrence’s absence.
Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers timelines
Harbaugh said that running back Cam Skattebo, recovering from a fractured ankle and associated injuries, will be on the field well before wide receiver Malik Nabers, recovering from a torn ACL.
“Skatt is probably going to be ahead of Malik with that. I think you guys all know that. Skatt [will] probably get out there a little bit at some point in time [this spring]. Some degree. It wouldn’t be fair for me to give you days or dates. Really haven’t had that in-depth discussion with [head athletic trainer] Adam [Bennett]. I have a vague idea. It’s not that important today. We try to focus on today,” Harbaugh said.
“Malik is going to be more into training camp and closer to the season. That’s more Malik’s timeline.”
Harbaugh said that Nabers, who was in attendance on Tuesday, was in “great spirits.”
‘Hi, John Harbaugh’
Harbaugh was running the first day of an offseason program for the 19th time in his coaching career, but for the first time with the Giants after 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He called the opportunity “fun” and “an honor.”
It was also awkward.
Harbaugh, of course, had not personally met many of the 73 players who showed up for the first voluntary workout of the offseason.
“For me it’s like a lot of faces. I don’t know who everybody is. Even when I see them, I don’t know who they are,” Harbaugh said. “I’m like John Harbaugh. Hi, John Harbaugh. Most guys will say, hey and give me their name. Some guys don’t give me their name. Dude, I’m not really sure who you are (laughter). I don’t really know their face yet.
“It’s been that kind of a day. That’s part of making the most of the first day. First day of school sort of. It’s been really great. It’s been really fun.”
“We worry about today. Tomorrow has enough troubles of its own. We want to make the most of the day. We want to get everything we possibly can done in the time that is allotted. We want to be as organized as we can. We want to present something efficiently as we can. We want the system that we’re presenting to be as well built as we can. We want to put as many miles behind us today as we possibly can.”
— — JOHN HARBAUGH
Identity and purpose
Harbaugh began by having an “introductory” session, which was a little bit like what happens when you have a bunch of CYO basketball players who don’t know each other stand in a circle and introduce themselves. Only, Harbaugh wanted a lot more from players — and coaches — than “my name is …”.
He wanted some honesty.
“We want our identity and we want our purpose,” Harbaugh said.
So, that is what he asked for.
“Give us a quick overview on your identity, how you see yourself as a player, as a person, whatever you want, how do you see your purpose. Identity and purpose, purpose and identity. Each guy went through that, told us a little bit about that,” the coach said.
“Those are the things when you’re a little bit vulnerable that way you open up a little bit more, you start to get to know each other more, bond a little bit with each other.”
Harbaugh liked what he heard.
“I was impressed,” he said. “Everybody was really thoughtful about it. It was some really deep, good stuff.”
‘Everybody’s tradeable’
The question Harbaugh was asked was in regards to outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has been the subject of trade speculation since the Giants selected Abdul Carter No. 3 overall in last year’s draft.
Harbaugh’s answer likely applied to start defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and his request to be traded.
“Everybody’s tradeable. Everybody.”
Specifically in regard to Thibodeaux, Harbaugh wanted to focus on what the player could do on the field for the Giants.
“I think he’s a great player. I’m excited about him. I was fired up to see him today. He looks great, he’s in great shape. I’m thinking about him on the field, getting him plugged into our defense and getting him rolling,” Harbaugh said.
“It’s [trade talk] not really what you focus on. You focus on the fact that we’re having a day, we’re talking ball, we’re getting our team coming together as a team. The business part of it is the business part. That kind of swirls around us. We try to lock in on the football.”
A ‘good start’ for Dart
Harbaugh has spent a good deal of time talking with quarterback Jaxson Dart since he became Giants head coach. Tuesday, though, was the first time he had worked with Dart in a classroom or install setting.
“Today was the first day for football, the first day we had a chance to talk football. What I witnessed was the first install, which is just the very first example of how we’re going to build the offense. That’s what was put in today. I saw that put in. I saw him reacting to it, interacting. I asked him what he thought about it. Seemed excited,” Harbaugh said. “Just kind of dipping our toe in the water today with that.
“But it was fun to see offense up on the screen and Jaxson right there taking his notes. That was awesome. It was a good start.”
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