What We Learned: Dan Campbell calls Brian Daboll ‘one of the smartest football minds’

2. Giants welcome Lions to East Rutherford

After nine training camp practices spanning nearly two weeks, the Giants took on a different opponent for the first time on Monday. While this led to a physical and feisty practice between the two teams, it also allowed for some great competition during both individual and team periods, something coach Brian Daboll touched on before the session.

“I think it’s great for everybody,” Daboll said about facing off against a new opponent in practice. “It’s really good for the players. It’s good for the coaches. It’s good for the scouting departments. That’s why I like to compete and practice against other teams. You get different looks, scouted looks. You have to fall back on rules. There’s no game planning. They might do something completely different than our guys do on defense or offense or in the kicking game, and that’s how you learn. And then you get good evaluation of players going against different players than they’ve been going against for the past ten practices.”

Monday’s practice saw some competitive reps on both sides of the ball, especially up front. Tackles Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor got to go up against Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson throughout the day, while outside linebackers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux matched up against Lions tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker. Overall there were great battles in the trenches from all parties involved.

3. Jones, Nabers continue to build chemistry

The connection between quarterback Daniel Jones and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been on full display over the first two weeks of training camp. The No. 6 overall pick has been one of Jones’ most targeted receivers, as the 21-year-old has continued to make big play after big play on a near daily basis. The two will continue to work on improving their chemistry as we get closer to the start of the regular season.

“I think it’s growing every day,” Daboll said on the connection between the two players. “Again, Malik’s a rookie. Daniel’s coming back from his surgery. Those guys work hard in individual routes. Obviously, in team periods, I think each day it’s gotten better and better. There’s a lot of nuances to the passing game. We ask him to do a lot. Maybe it’s a couple of different routes each day to make sure that we’re getting the timing and the rhythm down, and if we need to get it again, we go back to another practice or the practice after that to make sure we’re continuing to build that chemistry.”

Nabers caught every pass thrown in his direction during team drills on Monday, including an impressive reception deep down the field. Jones has been targeting the rookie all over the field during camp, from short slant routes to downfield shots. While we have yet to hit the two-week mark of training camp, it’s clear that Nabers has already made a very strong impression on his quarterback.

“I think he can do everything,” the quarterback said about Nabers. “His competitive spirit, his drive. I think when the ball’s up in the air, he expects it to be his, and he’s going to go get it. He’s got all the physical ability in the world, and size, strength, speed, quickness, great hands, and he’s got the attitude that he’s going to go get the ball, and it’s going to be his. We’ve got to keep working and keep building our chemistry, but I thought he’s had a good camp.”