NY Giants camp observations Tuesday as Preseason Week 2 continues

EAST RUTHERFORD – John Harbaugh was torn over the way his New York Giants ended Monday’s Training camp practice as they began the second week of the preseason.

On one hand, the Giants earned the right to celebrate on defense. First, it was Abdul Carter, who made the play of the day after Kayvon Thibodeaux tipped a Jaxson Dart pass, ultimately to Carter for the interception, and then he returned it some 90 yards for the touchdown.

The second team defense did the same with Ar’Darius Washington intercepting Jameis Winston‘s throw to Darius Slaton in the end zone, and like Carter, he raced the opposite way for a pick six that ended the days of events.

Harbaugh was certainly pleased with the effort and place made, but the fact that they came at the expense of his offense, is reason for disappointment.

“I thought the defense had two great drives, right? That’s how I’m going to look at it,” Harbaugh said. “The offense had a lot of good plays, but then, I mean, they were moving right down the field into the score zone there with four successful plays in a row, I think, maybe four or five. And then, (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter) and those guys batted a ball and it dropped right in their hands. I mean, that can happen. That’s how games are won. That’s how plays are made. We talk about it all the time, plays are made in the fourth quarter. So, we’re trying to drill on that. Now, if we’re practicing against each other, I can’t get too upset with our team if our defense makes a play to win the game. I can be bummed about the offense, but I’m going to have to be happy about the defense at the same time. You can’t – both sides can’t win the period. So, you could have asked me how I felt about the defense. That would have been a nicer question (laughs). If we had scored a touchdown, would you have asked me how I feel about the defense?”

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The Giants and Dolphins will also hold a joint practice on Thursday, which means this is the last session here in New Jersey this week before the team heads back on the road for South Florida on Wednesday.

The Giants spent the first 12 days of training camp at The Greenbrier Resort some 475 miles away, and Harbaugh believes they came away a better team than when they started. There is less than a month from real action when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Meadowlands in Week 1 in prime time on Sunday, Sept. 13.

We have been with the Giants for practice this summer so far and will continue to be your eyes and ears here at NorthJersey.com and The Record, documenting and analyzing every step toward Harbaugh’s first season with Big Blue and beyond.

Here’s what we’re seeing and hearing as the Harbaugh Era continues:

The New York Giants are signing former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris, sources told NorthJersey.com and The Record on Tuesday afternoon.