Kadarius Toney is not in the building.
Not during the past two weeks, as the Giants opened up their offseason workout program. And, more importantly, not this week, when the Giants opened up a three-day minicamp. That is all voluntary, of course, as per the collective bargaining agreement, and Toney is taking that to heart. For reasons he has not shared publicly, he has not set foot in the team facility during new head coach Brian Daboll’s introductory phase.
“No, KT’s not here today,’’ Daboll said Wednesday prior to practice for Day 2 of the minicamp. “We’ve had good attendance. I’ve had talks with some of the guys that haven’t been here, but most everybody’s been here, whether they were here the first week, the second week.’’
A bit later, Daboll said “almost everybody’’ when assessing the player attendance at this camp.
Cornerback James Bradberry is not participating, but there is a reason for his absence. He is not expected to be on the roster much longer, as the Giants will reach a financial crossroads after the draft
There are no such exterior circumstances with Toney. He is coming off a turbulent rookie season, during which he was sidelined by a variety of physical ailments and two separate positive COVID-19 tests that limited him to just 10 games. He showed flashes of the elusive talent the previous Giants front office saw in him as the No. 20 pick in the 2021 draft, but he was not at all consistent. He finished his first NFL season with 39 receptions for 420 yards — a disappointing per-catch average of 10.8 yards. He did not have a touchdown.
With a new coaching regime, most young players would be eager to make a strong first impression. Toney, apparently, does not fall into that category. Daboll was asked if that is a concern.
Kadarius Toney is not at the Giants’ voluntary minicamp. Corey Sipkin“Like I said, this is a voluntary camp,’’ Daboll said. “The guys that are here, we’re gonna work with. The guys that aren’t, they’re gonna miss out on some things, but it’s voluntary for a reason. That’s the nature of the rules.
“I’ve had good talks with KT, I’ve had good talks with some of the other guys. I’m encouraged where we are in terms of our participation, what we’ve been doing, and we’re just gonna keep moving in the right direction.’’
Toney is missing out, both on and off the field. There is a new playbook to learn, and Daboll has not made that playbook available for use virtually. Those who are participating in the offseason program and the minicamp have gotten the playbook; those who are not, have not.
Giants receiver Kadarius Toney playing against the Raiders on Nov. 8, 2021. Robert Sabo“When he gets here he’ll get the playbook,’’ Daboll said.
No fines can be assessed for missing any of this work.
“It’s voluntary,’’ general manager Joe Schoen said. “Nobody asked about the other guys that aren’t here. It’s life. Life happens. I’ve had good conversations with Kadarius. We’ve been in contact. At the end of the day, it’s voluntary. That’s what it is.’’
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay, cognizant of the struggles he endured as a big-ticket free agent in his first year with the Giants, said his attendance at the voluntary program is an indication of “how much it means to me.’’ He added “I feel like everybody should definitely be here.’’
What does that say about Toney?
“I haven’t talked to him in a while,’’ Golladay said. “I’m pretty sure he has something going on. Everything will work out. I’m pretty sure he’s talked to the coaches and everything. It’s my job and the rest of the receivers, the receivers coach, to get him back on track.’’
