Giants Training Camp: Lessons So Far

The New York Giants’ 2022 training camp is just over a week old, and the Giants’ first preseason game at the New England Patriots next Thursday is around the corner. The Giants’ 2022 season is still in its primordial infancy, so making any sweeping judgements or proclamations about how this team will ultimately perform would be foolish. There are, however, certain signs we can glean from the first week of camp, whether through player usage or schematic tendencies, that can indicate how the Giants might approach their 2022 season.

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So, let’s go through the five major takeaways from Giants training camp so far.

1. The Offense WILL be More Creative

For all the things worth complaining about the last couple of years, the Giants’ biggest issue, at in terms of entertainment value, was the sheer blandness of their offense. Former offensive coordinator Jason Garrett ran a static, timing-based offense that relied on isolated routes and pre-snap reads. It bred very little in the way of receiver seperation or yards after the catch as so few of its routes stretched the defense horizontally.

Enter new head coach Brian Daboll, former offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, and new offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, former Kansas City Chiefs passing game coordinator. Each of them come from high-powered, aerial offenses renowned for their schematic proficiency. The hope is that they will inject a healthy measure of creativity into a heretofore dormant Giants offense. So far, the coaches have been showing a new level of offensive imagination.

Some orbit motion from Wan’Dale Robinson!! pic.twitter.com/HhGMdk9Qra

— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) July 29, 2022

Pre-snap motion is an obvious implementation the previous regime stubbornly avoided, but Giants receivers also mentioned a greater freedom in their route-running than before.

Kadarius Toney talking about having more freedom in the new offense with @Schmeelk pic.twitter.com/SnE5ZBT5ZI

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) June 27, 2022

We’ll see if Big Blue’s new offensive approach will result in more points, but it’s safe to say it will finally move out of the dark ages.

2. Wan’Dale Robinson Will Have an Important Role as a Rookie

The Giants suprised when they took the diminutive Robinson in the second round of this year’s draft, with many considering the pick a reach. But the early stages have revealed that the Giants have big plans for the rookie receiver, and he’ll feature prominently right away.

ICYMI, my report on the first practice of camp. The pre-snap motion was dizzying, Wan’Dale Robinson is positioned for a big role, the Chiefs influence on the offense is evident, depth chart notes and more: https://t.co/eRDnL0UxUu

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) July 28, 2022

With Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney locked in as Big Blue’s two starting outside receivers, Robinson should see plenty of snaps in the slot and in a motion/gadget role. He’ll be a major component in the increased offensive creativity Daboll and Kafka will provide. Robinson’s reportedly been impressive, so the coaching staff shouldn’t hesitate to use him full time.

Daniel Jones to Wan’Dale Robinson for the TD! #Giants pic.twitter.com/twVrrNubhp

— The Giant Take (@TheGiantTakePod) July 30, 2022

3. CB2 is Aaron Robinson‘s Job to Lose

The Giants’ release of James Bradberry this offseason left the second outside cornerback spot opposite Adoree’ Jackson wide open. The favorite to fill that spot became the second-year player Robinson, who played mostly in the slot as a rookie. So far in camp, it’s clear that Robinson expects to start on the outside this season.

Adoree' Jackson and Aaron Robinson were the outside CBs with Darnay Holmes in the slot. Xavier McKinney, Julian Love and Dane Belton were at safety. Love primarily was in the box, Belton primarily was deep and McKinney moved all around.

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) July 29, 2022

Robinson’s performance in camp has generated some mixed reviews. He’s done a solid job in man coverage for the most part, but has allowed some contested catches.

Spectacular catch by Kadarius Toney vs. Aaron Robinson for TD. pic.twitter.com/FTdvs9onA8

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) July 27, 2022

4. Shane Lemieux is Headed for a Starting Job

Lemieux was a fifth-round pick in 2020 and struggled as a rookie. The offensive guard missed essentially all of last season with a knee injury, and he came into this season with no clear place on the depth chart. The regime that drafted him is no longer in charge, and the Giants took another guard in Josh Ezeudu in the third round this year. But through the first week of camp, Lemieux has worked with the first team while earning positive reviews.

Shane Lemieux was dominating Dexter Lawrence for a whole series and then started a fight with him. I’m in on Shane Lemieux stock

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) July 30, 2022

The Oregon product even got some run as the first team center when Jon Feliciano missed time with hydration issues. That kind of versatility can only help ensure him a spot somewhere along the starting offensive line.

Interesting development out of Giants practice Saturday was Shane Lemieux taking some first-team center reps with Jon Feliciano out for a second straight day dealing with heat and hydration issues.

Rookie Josh Ezeudu stepped in at right guard.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) July 30, 2022

5. Daniel Bellinger is the Starting Tight End

It may be unfair to expect a fourth-round rookie to start right away, but that’s what’s being asked of Bellinger. For a lack of good veteran options, the San Diego State product is getting the first team reps. The Giants brought in a couple of journeyman free agents in Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins, but Bellinger presents a higher upside and could grow into a long-term starter.

Notable that 4th round rookie TE Daniel Bellinger ran with the starters on Day 1 of practice https://t.co/u6qIlUkefb

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) July 27, 2022

There’s been some buzz that the Giants could be interested in a still-available free agent like Eric Ebron, but it’s looking like Bellinger will be in the starting lineup Week 1.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.