Giants notebook: Tae Banks, Daniel Jones, more

As the New York Giants get back to practice after Saturday’s off day, here are a few notebook leftovers.

Tae Banks ready to be No. 1?

Will Deonte Banks be able to handle covering opposing No. 1 wide receivers. He competes with Malik Nabers each day, and each player has had winning reps in those matchups.

Banks isn’t lacking for confidence.

“It’s fun, I love it,” Banks said of his role. “That’s how I want it, really, to be up against the best guy every week.

“I feel way better. I was always a confident guy, but I feel way more confident. I feel more comfortable. Everything comes to me way easier.”

One more ‘Hard Knocks’ episode

Whatever you think of the Giants’ appearance on ‘Hard Knocks’, Tuesday will mark the finale. We will see the Giants turn in the card to draft Malik Nabers.

What else will we see? Probably a little bit of on-field stuff from rookie minicamp and OTAs.

Personally, I have enjoyed the inside look at some of the offseason decisions. I have had some suspicions confirmed, and learned a few things as well.

Importance of context

Try as we might to get the best information possible and disseminate the most informed, accurate reports as possible, there is no way we can always know precisely why certain things are being done. I talked about that with Matt Waldman on a recent ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast.

I mention it because during the first few days we have seen some eyebrow-raising things. Daniel Bellinger working limited reps, Chris Manhertz playing ahead of Jack Stoll as a blocking tight end, Micah McFadden splitting time. A few other players going in and out.

We don’t always know the reasons. Coach Brian Daboll said Friday there are some players whose workloads are being managed early in camp. McFadden and Stoll were among them, though he didn’t give the full list.

A Daniel Jones note

Every time we do a practice report, whether that comes from myself or Nick Falato, part of the discussion will involve what quarterback Daniel Jones did on that day. It is one of those things we have to do — we know that you want to know.

Thing is, I can’t obsess over every training camp throw. You shouldn’t, either, but that is your prerogative.

At this point, roughly six weeks from the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, my belief is the important thing is that Jones is showing the ability to handle a full workload every day just eight months after surgery to repair a torn ACL.

That gives him, and the Giants offense, the best opportunity to be fully prepared when the season begins.

Remember, too, that Jones and the offense looked terrible throughout most of the 2022 training camp. We found out later that in several ways Daboll was intentionally making life miserable for Jones, who responded in the end with the best season of his career.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers was talking about a ball he didn’t catch the other day, and he said “It’s just what practice is for.”

Misfires and missed catches in July are a lot better than in September, when they count. I’m not trying to make an excuse for missed throws that should be made, and I understand the pre-existing feelings about the quarterback. It is, though, what he does beginning Sept. 8 that matters. Not that he missed a couple of open receivers in a July 11-on-11 session.

‘Turbo’ time?

Running back Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller got a free agent contract despite not having played since 2022 because of sub-4.30 40-yard dash speed. Miller showed it on Friday, blowing past a helpless Darius Muasau for a long touchdown reception from Drew Lock. Miller could also be a kickoff return option.

Can he force his way onto the 53-man roster? Plays like he made Friday won’t hurt his chances.