Dottino: Tom Coughlin Closes Minicamp With Giant Message

By Paul Dottino
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Coach Tom Coughlin closed minicamp with very specific instructions for the reigning Super Bowl champion Giants as they prepare for a nearly six-week hiatus before they report to Albany for training camp on July 26: Remember what made you a champion, and make sure you are responsible and safe as you prepare for the season.

"I have every confidence that they will come back just as inspired to want to play at their very best," Coughlin said of his players. "The big key for our team is the bridging over of all of those values and virtues and principles that we carried forward from 7-7 on (last season)."

For Coughlin, it's all about the mentality of his team. It would be this way, regardless, but the new CBA greatly restricts off-season physicality so it's only wise for any NFL coach to focus on the mental aspects of the game.

Coughlin said the Giants spent as much at 80 percent of the minicamp working on mental preparations. They went through two non-contact practices, followed by a final-day walkthrough that usually would occur the day before a game.

It was very difficult to give an eye test to the newcomers on the roster since the workouts were of the non-contact variety, but there is no questioning the speed, athleticism or the hands of first-round RB David Wilson, second-round WR Rueben Randle or third-round CB Jayron Hosley. Fourth-round TE Adrien Robinson has the build to be a solid blocker right out of the gate and he moves well for a big man, but he's got raw receiving skills.

These first four picks have cleared an important hurdle – they've made a good first impression. Let's see how they do when they put the pads on at training camp.

What do you expect from the Giants' rookies this upcoming season? Be heard in the comments below...