John Mara was not in the room when general manager Dave Gettleman addressed the Giants on Wednesday afternoon during their first team meeting. Mara, though, heard how it went.
“A lot of people were quite impressed with his appearance,’’ Mara said.
The Post reported Gettleman’s cancer is in remission as he continues to undergo chemotherapy to combat lymphoma.
“I thought it was important that he had a chance to visit with the team,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said. “I think they were glad to see him — excited to see that he’s working through the treatment. Things look good.’’
Gettleman was at the team facility as training camp started and tries to spend as much time as he can in his office.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been around a more upbeat person in my life, particularly going through what he’s going through,’’ Mara said. “He is very optimistic about his recovery and about his ability to work this year and we’re very excited about that. It’s the best news we’ve had in a long time.’’
The offense designed by Shurmur demands more versatility from players, meaning Sterling Shepard will get increased snaps on the outside, rather than repeatedly lining up in the slot.
“This offense, you’re gonna move around a lot,’’ Shepard said. “It’s a lot of moving pieces. On the other offense, you’re kinda stuck in one spot if you’re not the ‘F’ but in this offense you can be outside, inside, you really don’t know.’’
The desired effect is to make the Giants’ attack less predictable.
“If you stay in the same personnel every time, the defense only has to prepare for that one personnel,’’ Shepard said. “If you got guys moving around, it definitely is a challenge for the defense. That’s what you see in this offense, a lot of moving parts and a lot of different personnel.’’
In an interview with The Post, former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo said he felt the signing of LT Nate Solder was a good one, in terms of the leadership Solder will bring to the offensive line, even though he does not think Solder is “a very good player.’’ Mara said, “Obviously given the contract we gave him, we do think he’s a very good player.’’
Mara said he had a conversation with McAdoo a few weeks ago.
“He called me just to talk about what he needs to improve on going forward,’’ Mara said.
Though it looks as if rookie CB Sam Beal will need season-ending shoulder surgery, the Giants have not signed off on that yet. Shurmur said the Giants were aware of “some issues with his shoulder’’ before taking Beal in the third round of the supplemental draft.
How about that range displayed by CB Janoris Jenkins? At first it looked as if Jackrabbit had been beaten deep down the field by Cody Latimer, but Jenkins was merely baiting him. When Eli Manning tossed the ball, he must have thought Latimer was open. Think again. Jenkins expertly tracked back to the ball for the interception.
Oliver Vernon, adjusting to his new role as an outside linebacker, came charging in on a pass rush, bearing down on Manning, attacking the quarterback’s blind side. Vernon never got there. Solder, the Giants’ new left tackle, moved his feet to cut off Vernon’s angle then engulfed the smaller Vernon, shoving him to the ground as Manning got off the pass.
Jon Halapio began training camp the way he ended the spring work: lining up as the starting center. Halapio appeared to move past Brett Jones during the OTAs and he worked with the first-team offensive line during the team periods on Thursday. A converted guard, Halapio has a real chance to emerge as the No. 1 center.
DT Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison did not practice. No injury issue was announced. Coach Pat Shurmur said Harrison is being eases into camp and should be on the field this weekend. … Rookie DL R.J. McIntosh continues to work on the side. He is on the non-football illness list.
