This is something Tom Coughlin never, ever wants to see.
As Eli Manning stepped up into the pocket, looking down the field during Monday’s practice, there was congestion at his feet and the franchise quarterback stumbled and hit the ground. That’s all there was, but it was enough for Coughlin to sound irritated about it afterward.
“You can’t have anybody get hurt in practice,’’ Coughlin said. “You got to go hard, you got to give great effort, you got to play with great speed, but you can’t get anybody hurt.
“I have to look at it to see exactly how it went. He was kind of stumbling around, and you always talk about ‘Stay away from the quarterback, stay away from his feet.’ We’ve had some careless rushes, to be honest with you. Not many, but a couple.’’
First-round pick Ereck Flowers did not practice because of a hip flexor issue. Coughlin said Flowers has played through the problem for a few days and does not believe it to be serious. Justin Pugh switched from left guard to fill Flowers’ left tackle spot. Adam Gettis was given a chance to work with the first team at left guard after impressing the coaching staff a day earlier.
“Good day [Sunday]; I’d say so-so today,’’ Coughlin said of Gettis.
The first fight of camp was brief but intense. Pugh was on the ground and soon after so was DE Damontre Moore, who may have been tripped by Pugh. The two went at it, exchanging punches before they were separated.
“I have a problem with all of ‘em because they’re out there swinging,’’ Coughlin said. “I’ve been hurt first-hand by a guy who broke his hand in a fight. I was upset about the fight and losing their temper and all that stuff, but the bottom line is you can’t afford to do it and lose a guy.’’
Pugh did not argue.
“He’s right,’’ Pugh said. “But I’d rather coach yell at me for fighting someone than not fighting someone, you know what I mean?’’
Pugh added he and Moore laughed about the scuffle afterward.
After sitting out Sunday to rest his sore, surgically repaired ankle, Geoff Schwartz returned at right guard. … Cornerback Chykie Brown left early with a foot or shoe issue — Coughlin was not sure which it was. “He’s been flashing a lot, and I’d like to see him stay with it,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s very motivated.”
Going against wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz has challenged the Giants defensive backs. “Oh, without a doubt, it is a great pleasure to have those guys out there because our guys have to work; they have to be really prepared,’’ cornerbacks coach Tim Walton said.
Training Day
Can’t be stopped!
There are times when second-year LB Devon Kennard cannot be blocked. On one pressure, he broke free and stood in front of Eli Manning for a couple of seconds, as if to say, “Yeah, I’d have a sack here if I was allowed to hit the quarterback.’’
Pump day
Depends on how you look at it. Manning’s pump fake caused Odell Beckham Jr. to break wide open for a 60-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Getting beaten badly on the fake was rookie safety Mykkele Thompson, who was given a look with the starters.
Caught my eye
A flea-flicker, end-around to Victor Cruz? Interesting. It delighted the crowd and Cruz motored around the end looking not quite at full speed but pretty darn close.
Medical report
LT Ereck Flowers did not work because of a hip flexor issue, the first time the rookie first-round pick has missed time. CB Chykie Brown left early with a foot problem. RG Geoff Schwartz (ankle) returned.
