The New York Giants have returned to training camp to prepare for a season that will be very different because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The return comes following an unconventional draft, virtual off-season and all-around uncertainty surrounding the 2020 NFL season.
The players said that they were excited to be back on the field. But say that it will be interesting to play with all the new restrictions.
“Just having to wear masks on the field, busing over from MetLife, but you have to deal with sudden change in football and that’s what all the guys understand,” says Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard.
Another transition for the players is a new staff. Joe Judge may be in his first year as Giants head coach, but he says that he doesn’t need his players’ names on their jerseys to recognize them.
“We should know ourselves as coaches and players by how we move and how we carry ourselves,” he says. “When a quarterback gets under center, I expect them to know, is that a safety in the box or is that a linebacker. The identification of who the players are, we should be better than that as coaches and players by knowing our teammates.”
Judge, along with new offensive coordinator Jason Garrert says that they have a tough task this season with implementing a new system with a young team during the pandemic. But the players say that they are on board so far.
“I would say I always thought I was a detailed guy, but now I’ve got to be even more the way that we’re getting coached, which is great,” says Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
The Giants’ regular season starts begins Sept. 14 at home versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. This will be the first time that the Giants actually play a game this season as the NFL preseason was canceled.