Kenny Golladay does not outwardly show much excitement, but he insists he is indeed excited for the start of his second season with the Giants.
“Yeah,’’ he said flatly.
Golladay then wondered why anyone would think that he is not excited.
“Who said I’m not into it?’’ he asked, and then said, “What do you want me to do?’’
Told that he should be himself, Golladay said “That’s what I’m doing.’’
Asked if success on the field will show a different side of himself, Golladay said “I’m pretty sure if I was out there catching touchdowns … I don’t know if you guys would be saying I’m out there showing no emotion.’’
Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay speaks with the media after practice.Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay runs a route during practice.Bill KostrounGolladay did not have a touchdown catch in 14 games in 2021.
It was a lackluster training camp and preseason for Golladay after a highly disappointing first season with the Giants after they signed him to a four-year, $72 million contract. General manager Joe Schoen revealed Golladay “had a little procedure’’ in the spring and added he was pleased Golladay did not miss any significant time in camp.
Schoen said wide receiver Darius Slayton, a possible cut or trade option because he counts $2.5 million against the salary cap, will be on the team for the start of the season. “He will be on the team Week 1,’’ Schoen said.
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton speaks with the media after practice.Bill Kostroun/New York PostPressed what this means down the road with Slayton, Schoen said, “You never know what’s going to happen, but we like our 53 right now. So, we’re going to move forward with our 53. If there’s opportunities available that we need to pursue, then we will. Whether it’s Darius or anybody else, everybody’s competing on a daily basis for their position, and we want the best 53.’’
Coach Brian Daboll gave the players off the next three days; they next have to report back to the team facility on Monday.
“They’re going to get a little time away, but they’ve got to come back ready to go,’’ Daboll said. “We’re in football season now, so besides your faith and your family, this is what’s important right now, is football. “I’m sure they’ll do some work in terms of looking at the team we’re playing, some physical stuff so they’re not sitting on their couch eating potato chips and playing video games all day. I think we have a good group that will be ready to go on Monday.’’
The Giants were awarded five players off waivers, but they actually put claims in on a total of eight players. They claimed but were not awarded two defensive linemen from the Bills — Darryl Johnson and Kingsley Jonathan — and running back JaMycal Hasty from the 49ers.
Four more players were signed to the practice squad: OL Wyatt Davis, DE Henry Mondeaux, DB Tony Jefferson and LB Charles Wiley.
Davis was a 2021 third-round draft pick of the Vikings out of Ohio State who played in six games as a rookie and is the grandson of Hall of Famer Willie Davis. Jefferson is a 30-year-old safety who played for Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale with the Ravens.
Four players were released from the practice squad: DB Darren Evans, OT Roy Mbaeteka, OT Garrett McGhin and DB Nate Meadors. Mbateka, the huge 22-year old offensive tackle, was part of the International Pathway Program, having never played football until he was 18. This might not be the end of the line for Mbaeteka and the Giants, though, as they guaranteed him a full-season practice squad salary of $207,000.
