Touchdowns & takeaways from OTA No. 6

Giants
06 Jun 2025, 00:58 GMT+10

Dan Salomone

It was a jam-packed Thursday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

In addition to wrapping up the second week of spring practices, we also heard from all three Giants coordinators, Russell Wilson, Brian Burns, Wan'Dale Robinson and assistant general manager Brandon Brown.

Here are the highlights from OTA No. 6:

TOUCHDOWNS

Darius Slayton had a big day, beginning with a 40-yard touchdown from Jameis Winston during the opening 7-on-7 period. The veteran wide receiver is entering his seventh NFL season after re-signing with the Giants.

If he never played another snap in a Giants uniform, he would finish 17th all-time in receptions, 18th in receiving yards, and tied for 22nd in touchdown catches. Now, if he keeps on his current averages for three more seasons, Slayton would climb to second in receiving yards, fifth in catches, and 10th in receiving touchdowns.

TAKEAWAYS

Shortly after defensive coordinator Shane Bowen complimented Dane Belton in a pre-practice media session, the safety went out and grabbed his third interception in six OTAs so far.

"Dane has been really good for us here early," Bowen said. "Like he's had a really good spring. Finding ways to get him on the field, what he can do for us to help us. But really encouraged about that group. I think M (new secondary coach/defensive pass game coordinator Marquand Manuel) and (new cornerbacks coach) Jeff (Burris) have done a really good job with them, and Pops (Mike Adams). They've done a really good job working with those guys and I'm encouraged about where we are at right now. "

A few players later, undrafted safety Makari Paige notched another interception off a deflected pass. They both followed cornerback Tre Hawkins III's leaping pick on the sideline, and all three deposited their "treasure" into the turnover chest, which has been generating some buzz on the sideline. Bowen explained its origins.

"So my son, it's his first year of tee ball and he's on the Pirates," Bowen said. "So we again, the main thing is emphasizing takeaways. We got to get better at takeaways. Somehow got the idea of piracy, violent, attacking to steal possessions or goods, right? You'll hear our guys say it. I say it ad nauseum: 'Be a damn pirate.' We've got to find ways to get the ball. And, again, you get what you emphasize. We're making it a priority this year to make sure we find ways to get the ball."

OTHER NOTABLE PLAYS

Russell Wilson opened 7-on-7 drills with completions to tight end Theo Johnson and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. After practice, Wilson once again brought up Hyatt's name, among others. "I really believe in him," the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback said.

Wilson later connected with Slayton on a deep pass down the left sideline during an 11-on-11 team period. After practice, Wan'Dale Robinson said Wilson's patented deep ball just "drops right in the bucket" while his short throws are like catching "pillows."

Cornerbacks Cor'Dale Flott and O'Donnell Fortune broke up passes in the secondary. Up front, outside linebacker Brian Burns and defensive lineman Elijah Chatman batted two passes at the line of scrimmage during the first team period.

Burns and rookie Abdul Carter also had would-be sacks on Thursday as the Giants continue to mix and match their edge rushers. Burns said afterwards that Carter, the third overall pick, can make the defense more exotic on third down and confuse offenses when they do the same thing but from different spots. "Pick your poison and we have a Dex," Burns added, referencing three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.