Practice Report (6/7): View from the sideline

* Shane Bowen makes his way to all the position groups on defense as he installs his system and makes sure all the players know how he wants their position groups to play. He is not a screamer and likes to pull players aside after plays and teach. He also isn’t hesitant to put himself into drills, playing the role of offensive players to help train his defense. The secondary seems to have caught on quickly to what he wants them to do. During Thursday’s practice, he worked with the linebackers on their gap assignments based on the look the offense gives them.

* Mike Groh continues to train the wide receivers. Earlier this week, they were working on drills specifically designed on back-shoulder throws. When players have speed to win over the top like the Giants’ wide receiver corps has, those types of throws can be helpful to counter defenders trying to always stay behind receivers.

* The tight ends were working on their combo blocks with offensive tackles earlier in the week. I like the way Carmen Bricillo brings the entire team together at different times to work on blocking, whether it’s the tight ends to gain chemistry with the tackles, or the quarterbacks and running backs to work on pass protection and communication with the center and rest of the offensive line. Veterans Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan Jr. have both been eager to spread their wisdom and help coach up their younger teammates.

* I really liked the enthusiasm between the offense and defense as OTAs wore on. Head coach Brian Daboll calls this portion of the year a teaching period, but the players were very competitive. The defensive backs and wide receivers were not shy about letting the other group know when they thought they won on a play, period or practice day. Nothing ever got chippy, but the energy was great as both sides of the ball took pride in their success.