Jeff Nixon joined the Giants’ coaching staff this year with 14 years of NFL coaching experience under his belt.
Naturally the new running backs coach watched and studied Saquon Barkley.
The first time Nixon fielded questions about Barkley, the two-time Pro Bowler was in the midst of contract negotiations that were threatening to turn into a training camp holdout. Nixon hadn’t even worked with him yet.
The second time, Wednesday at Quest Diagnostic Training Center, Nixon was better equipped to discuss the star running back, who last month signed a one-year deal, worth up to $11 million with incentives, to ensure he reported to camp on time.
Nixon spoke about how incredibly impressed he is with the professionalism Barkley has shown.
“He’s been great,” Nixon said when asked about Barkley’s demeanor despite not getting the deal he probably wanted. “He’s one of the leaders on the team. He’s working his butt off. There hasn’t been anything alarming or anything else since he signed. He’s been back here. I know his teammates are excited.”
Coming off a career year in which he finished fourth in the NFL and first in the NFC with 1,312 rushing yards, Barkley maintained his team-first mantra in order to avoid creating a distraction.
“He’s been awesome to work with,” Nixon said. “Really good kid. Obviously, a great player, real leader for us on our football team. Him, along with a lot of the other running backs, they’re working their butts off and getting ready for the season.”
Barkley got into a minor dust-up with defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence during practice Tuesday, and the two had to be separated by teammates.
Both Nixon and head coach Brian Daboll said they welcome tenacity from Barkley.
“It’s football,” Nixon said. “So it’s good to know he’s getting some contact in training camp, getting ready for the season here in a couple weeks. Football is football, man,” Nixon said. “Sometimes you’re going to get tackled in practice when you got 22 guys flying all over the field. It’s going to happen. He’s ready to go.”
“We’re getting to that point where, you know in a couple weeks, hopefully he’ll peak going into Week 1.”
OT Evan Neal was a full participant in practice Wednesday after going through concussion protocol.
He did not appear to be limited while playing right tackle for a majority of the day.
There is a possibility Neal could see some time in the second preseason game on Friday.
“I think Evan is trending in the right direction,” Daboll said.
The Giants waived LB Troy Brown was waived after he sustained an ankle injury Tuesday.
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