Giants Training Camp Mailbag: Your Burning Questions Answered

Welcome to the Giants mailbag! Think of this like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend who watches every practice so you don’t have to. We’re breaking down everything from roster battles to training camp vibes in plain English.

Running Back Battle: Damon Bankston’s Roster Chances

The Question: A fan from New Mexico saw Bankston dominate at UNM (2 return TDs on just 12 returns!) and wants to know if he can make the 53-man roster.

The Answer: Not looking good right now. Here’s why:

• Practice reps tell the story: Bankston gets mostly third-team reps with only a few second-team looks
• Coach speak: John Harbaugh likes his talent but says he’s behind other backs in understanding the offense
• The reality: In the NFL, knowing where to be matters as much as how fast you can run

Important Point: "Play strength and speed greater than measurables" is a great college trait, but NFL roster spots go to players who master the playbook first.

Training Camp Location: Staying Put in New Jersey

The Question: Will the Giants return to West Virginia or maybe try SUNY Cortland (where the Jets used to go)?

The Answer: Nope, they’re staying home. Here’s the logic:

1. They just built a fancy new facility in East Rutherford
2. Moving camp costs millions extra dollars
3. Plan A: Train at their own facility next summer
4. Plan B (emergency only): The Greenbrier in West Virginia (great setup, just no indoor bubble)

Bottom line: NFL teams prefer their own facilities where meeting rooms, weight rooms, and locker rooms are all connected.

The One Question Ed Would Ask Harbaugh

Fan asks: "If you could ask Harbaugh anything with a guaranteed honest answer, what would it be?"

Ed’s surprising answer: Not about this year’s team at all.

The Legacy Question: "No head coach has ever won a Super Bowl with two different teams. How much would it mean to be the first? And would you consider your Giants tenure a success without reaching a Super Bowl?"

This tells you everything about Harbaugh’s mindset—he’s playing for history, not just participation trophies.

Can They Practice at MetLife Stadium?

Short answer: Yes, but they don’t.

Why not?

• Allowed? Yes, they’ve done it occasionally
• Practical? No—their practice facility is literally across the parking lot
• Better setup: Facility has indoor bubble, weight room, meeting rooms, all equipment
• Home field advantage comes from winning + fans, not practicing where you play

Key Insight: The Giants haven’t played enough good football recently to pack the stadium with their own fans. That’s the real home-field problem.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart: Struggling or Just Learning?

The Concern: Fan thinks Dart looks shaky in the new offense.

Ed’s Reality Check: "What makes you think he’s struggling?"

The Facts:

• Entire offense is learning a brand-new system from scratch
• Normal NFL pattern: Offense starts behind defense in new systems
• Offense is harder to install than defense (more moving parts, more memorization)
• Dart looks fine: Comfortable under center, learning daily
• Practice isn’t supposed to be perfect—it’s supposed to be hard

Don’t Panic: Daily practice reports are noise. Judge players in September, not August.

Offensive Line Depth: Jake Kubas at Center

The Question: Can undrafted Jake Kubas be a backup center and make the roster?

The Verdict: Unlikely, but not impossible.

The Situation:

• Kubas practiced all spring/summer at guard (third team)
• Only moved to center last week due to injuries to starters
• Roster math: Hard to make team as a guy learning a new position in August
• Silver lining: Preseason games = audition tape for other teams too

Strength & Conditioning Staff: The Ravens Connection

Who’s who in the weight room:

Translation: Harbaugh brought his trusted Ravens performance crew—guys who know exactly how he wants players conditioned.

Defensive Line Roles: Golston & Kelly

Chauncey Golston: The Swiss Army Knife

• Role: 4th edge rusher / situational defensive end
• Why he faded: Abdul Carter (rookie sensation) + injuries (only 10 games)
• Value: Can play multiple spots—huge for game-day flexibility

Jack Kelly: The Pleasant Surprise

• Status: Practicing with second-team ahead of Darius Muasau
• Standout trait: Surprising range in coverage for a linebacker
• Projection: Solid backup who can actually run with tight ends/backs

Trading Bubble Players: Why It’s Nearly Impossible

Fan idea: "Trade guys we’ll cut anyway for picks!"

The Math Problem:

• 32 teams cutting 90 → 53 players = 1,184 players hitting the market
• Waiver wire is flooded with free talent
• Why trade for a guy when you can claim him for free tomorrow?
• Exceptions exist (teams really love a specific player), but rare

GM Reality: Joe Schoen will look, but don’t expect draft picks for roster casualties.

Wide Receiver Competition: The "Wait and See" Approach

Fan wants: Ed’s prediction vs. what he would do.

Ed’s Response: Hard pass on answering today.

Why?

• 3 preseason games + weeks of practices remaining
• Evidence not fully collected
• Answer could flip in 3 weeks
• Final projection coming when roster cuts loom

Lesson: Smart analysts don’t guess—they wait for data.

Harbaugh’s Camp: Different Energy, Different Results

Biggest changes from Shurmur/Judge/Daboll eras:

1. Faster pace — everything moves quicker
2. Higher intensity — no going through motions
3. More padded practices (within CBA limits)
4. No short days — even "walkthroughs" last 2.5 hours
5. Player buy-in — they believe in his winning resume

The Vibe: Players know the recent history stinks. They see a coach who wins. They’re all in.

The "Vibes" Check: Culture Change in Real Time

Fan observation: Talent hasn’t been the only problem—culture/identity missing for a decade.

Ed’s Assessment:

• Players own the past failures
• They respect Harbaugh’s track record
• Vibes are genuinely good
• But: "Vibes don’t get you wins. Talent and execution get you wins."

Translation: Culture is necessary but not sufficient. The real test is Sundays.

The Elephant in the Room: Evan Neal & Jalin Hyatt

Fan frustration: Why keep 2022 1st-round busts (Neal) and 2023 3rd-round disappointments (Hyatt) over hungry undrafted guys?

Evan Neal (2022 #7 Overall Pick)

• Contract: 1-year, $0 guaranteed — Giants owe him nothing if cut
• Why he’s here: Harbaugh knows Ravens graded him highly pre-draft; wants to see for himself
• The logic: "Bring a former 1st-rounder with upside vs. UDFA with zero ceiling"

Jalin Hyatt (2023 3rd Rounder)

• Contract: Final year of rookie deal (cheap)
• Why he’s here: Costs nothing to let new coaches evaluate him
• If he fails: "So be it" — at least they looked

The Philosophy: You don’t cut sunk costs—you evaluate assets. Both get one last fair shot under new eyes.

Summary: What We Learned Today

FAQ: Your Follow-Up Questions Answered

1. What does "third-team reps" actually mean?

Think of it like varsity, JV, and freshman teams. First-team = starters. Second-team = primary backups. Third-team = guys fighting for practice squad spots. Bankston getting mostly third-team reps means coaches view him as a long shot.

2. Why is installing a new offense harder than a new defense?

Offense: 11 guys must memorize hundreds of plays, adjustments, snap counts, and protections—all perfectly synchronized. Defense: React to offense; simpler rules ("cover your man," "gap responsibility"). It’s like learning choreography vs. learning to improvise.

3. What’s the CBA and why does it limit padded practices?

CBA = Collective Bargaining Agreement (contract between NFL and players’ union). It limits full-contact practices to protect player safety. Harbaugh maximizing "padded work within rules" means he’s pushing right up to the legal limit for physical preparation.

4. If Neal has $0 guaranteed, why not just cut him now?

Because evaluation has value. If there’s even a 5% chance Harbaugh unlocks something previous coaches missed, it’s worth a roster spot in August. Cutting him now saves $0 but loses the lottery ticket.

5. How much should I trust preseason game performance vs. practice reports?

Preseason games >> Practice reports. Games have: tackling, real speed, unknown opponents, pressure. Practices have: scripted periods, no tackling, same teammates daily. Judge players when the lights are on in August games.

Got a Question for Next Time?

Email your Giants questions to bigblueview@gmail.com — yours might be featured in the next mailbag!

Remember: Training camp is for learning, preseason is for evaluating, and the regular season is for truth. We’re still in the learning phase.