There are 1,430 career catches in the mix when slot receivers Cole Beasley, Jamison Crowder, Sterling Shepard and Parris Campbell put their heads together at Giants practice.
But there is always room for comparing of notes, especially about playing in head coach Brian Daboll’s offense.
Enter Julian Edelman to share his knowledge.
Edelman isn’t coming out of retirement to play for the Giants, but the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LII was a guest of Daboll on the sideline Monday at practice.
After the final whistle, Edelman huddled with Campbell, Beasley, wide receivers coach Mike Groh and a few others before leaving town.
“We were talking through a specific play that we just put in,” Campbell said. “Dabes was raving about it, and he said [Edelman] was the reason that we have to put it in. So, we were just kind of talking through that a little bit. He’s one of the best to do it, and always good to get some insight from him.”
Edelman nearly signed with the Giants as a free agent in 2013 but instead stayed with the Patriots.
His career promptly took off with the first of his four seasons topping 90 catches as Tom Brady’s go-to receiver.
At that same time, Daboll returned to the Patriots as tight ends coach, his second stint under Bill Belichick.
“Dabes and [offensive coordinator Mike Kafka], they’re offensive gurus,” Campbell said. “They really know what they’re doing. Dabes has so much in his arsenal. He wants to always keep the defense guessing. So, we’ve got a lot of different plays, a lot of different things to learn.”
The conversation between Edelman (620 catches) and Beasley (556) continued long after all players cleared off the field.
Rookie Jalin Hyatt and second-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (physically unable to perform list) also are predominantly slots.
What does Daboll expect from that logjam?
“Good competition,” he said. “Guys that can create separation and make some plays.”
Edelman’s three Super Bowl rings still made him the second-most-decorated visitor at practice.
Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott — whose daughter, Hailey, is the longtime girlfriend of Giants defensive tackle Leonard Williams — also was on hand.
The Giants practiced indoors Monday for the first time in camp but have held other walk-throughs on the new turf. What reviews are players giving the change?
“They said nice, softer, no issues,” Daboll said. “Knock on wood.”
Daboll has blown a gasket a few times during camp, but it seems nothing drives him madder than dead-ball penalties like a false start, a delay of game or a taunting.
“Can’t have those. Can’t have them. I’m not going to pat them on the back for having a delay of game, but I could do a better job, too,” Daboll said. “You try to put as much pressure on everybody as you can and you have a level of expectation of going out there and trying to eliminate those pre-snap things or post-snap things. They’re going to happen no matter what you do, but you do your best to try to make sure they don’t.”
All players — even the injured — were expected to travel Monday to Detroit for joint practices Tuesday and Wednesday against the Lions.