When the New York Giants arrived for training camp, veteran Nick McCloud was given first-team drills as the nickel cornerback (third cornerback in the slot). However, in the last week or so, things appear to have changed at this point.
On August 3, Big Blue View beat reporter Ed Valentine reported that rookie slot cornerback Dru Phillips is receiving more first-team work as training camp progresses. Phillips, he said, “has made a couple of noteworthy plays in several of the recent practices I have been to.”
Valentine is not the only one who has taken note of the third-round draft pick. According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, Phillips started taking first-team reps in the spot on July 28, while McCloud moved to the second-team squad.
On July 29, ESPN beat reporter Jordan Raanan reported that rookie nickel Andru Phillips had a strong day. He was in the backfield to stop at least one running play. You can see why the Giants enjoy their third-round pick.”
Phillips continued his success with a well-read interception during a one-on-one drill on July 30 and a crucial pass breakup against fellow rookie Malik Nabers on August 2.
Art Stapleton, a staunch backer of McCloud, recognized that “Dru Phillips is the nickel” on July 31. The rookie appears to be claiming the starting role as the days pass at Giants camp.
Could Nick McCloud Challenge Cor’Dale Flott at Cornerback?
Stapleton questioned why McCloud hasn’t received more experience as the starting cornerback opposite Deonte Banks, even though Phillips will eventually start at nickel. Cor’Dale Flott, a third-year CB, presently holds this position.
“I’ll say this again: I don’t know why Nick McCloud hasn’t gotten more of a chance on the boundary at CB2,” he said on July 31st. “I’m not sure if he can accomplish it, but I want to see. McCloud is having an excellent camp.”
Stapleton said that “McCloud was on the boundary late in practice yesterday with the 2s and 3s,” but that he would “give him more looks there” this summer.
As of now, McCloud appears to be a utility player in the Giants secondary, which may be how Big Blue chooses to employ the plus special teamer.
He can play a variety of roles in defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s system. Nickel, outside CB, large nickel, dime-backer, and more. It’s beneficial to have a player like that at your disposal, even if he’s going to start the season as a backup.
Giants’ Dane Belton Has Strong Hold on Starting Safety Job
With Phillips rising to a starting role, draftmate Tyler Nubin isn’t quite there yet. Keep in mind that the rookie safety has missed a lot of practices with a calf injury — although he did finally return from that issue on August 1.
Instead, third-year pro Dane Belton — a member of Flott’s draft class — has taken hold of the second starting safety job at this time.
Valentine listed Belton as one of his training camp risers on August 3, alongside Phillips. Reasoning: “Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said Thursday that the second starting safety job was Belton’s to lose. The 2022 fourth-round pick had seven starts over his first two seasons.”
As of now, the pair on the Giants back end looks to be Belton and Jason Pinnock, but it will be interesting to see if Nubin can push either starter once fully healthy again.
Leave a Reply