NY Giants training camp, practice No. 6: Discussion, news, updates

John Harbaugh watches Monday’s practice. | Getty Images WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The New York Giants will be on the field for their sixth practice of training camp on Tuesday afternoon. Head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that this second week is “the big week of camp.” It is the week when

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What is the story about?

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The New York Giants will be on the field for their sixth practice of training camp on Tuesday afternoon.

Head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that this second week is “the big week of camp.” It is the week when the Giants will be in pads for practice more often than at any other time this season.

Veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader, in his 11th NFL training camp, understands the importance of the physical work padded practices allow.

“You’ve got to callous the body.

The thing that’s important in football is callousing the body to be ready to take on those blows throughout the season, because you’re going to get chinks in your armor, and if you didn’t build your armor up enough to be able to withstand those hits, those dents, those little scratches you’ll take in your armor, then shame on you,” Reader said. “I think it’s important to be able to callous the body. Do it with intent. Be smart about it, but you have to callous the body to go out there and play this game. You’re not just going to roll out there, roll out of bed, and be able to go out there on Sundays and get it done.”

A couple of things to watch on Tuesday:

Penalties — There were at least a dozen, probably more, during the team periods on Monday. Harbaugh was understanding because of the circumstances. Let’s see if Tuesday’s practice is cleaner.

Veteran offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor knew Monday afternoon was unlikely to be as understanding during the team’s film session.

“Obviously we’re going to see them all. He’s going to call everyone out in front of the team, but also you just got to know that you got to be better,” Eluemunor said. “Me, obviously, I think some of them were BS, but it’s whatever. Had a couple penalties last year. So, I think penalties are worse than sacks because it can affect the team. It can affect the drive. It can affect the momentum. And everyone on the team understands that. So, you got to take your licks and then come back out tomorrow and be better.”

Offensive struggles — The offense is making some plays. Nothing, though, is coming easily. Part of that is strong play from the defense. Part of it is the time of year, with defenses traditionally ahead of offenses. Still, we haven’t yet had a day that was clearly won by the offense. Could today be the day?

Funny moment from Monday

In my rain-soaked state, I neglected to put this tidbit in Monday’s practice report. So, here it is.

At the end of practice, defensive players were doing pushups — 10 for each of the four penalties they committed. At the end of his daily media session, Harbaugh complained about the quality of those pushups.

“You know the thing that bothers me about their push-ups? They don’t go all the way up. You go all the way down, touch your chest on the ground, and you go all the way up and extend,” Harbaugh said. “But they kind of do this little, short push-up thing.”

So, as he was about to exit the podium I mentioned to him that he should demonstrate the proper form to his team.

Harbaugh glared at me for a few seconds, which seemed like a few minutes. Then he said:

“Good point. I’m the coach, right?”