There was a familiar face and voice in an unfamiliar role asking a question to head coach John Harbaugh after Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp practice.
“How do you feel about that defensive front?’’ asked edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, playfully ducking behind a member of the media, hiding himself from Harbaugh’s line of sight.
“How do I feel about the defensive front?’’ Harbaugh responded. “The Thibodeaux guy has got me a little concerned back there. He looks shorter to me. Oh, there he is right there.’’
To those who wondered if Harbaugh and Thibodeaux would hit it off, it appears they have.
“Just so you know, this is par for the course for this guy right here,’’ Harbaugh said. “He is the No. 1 question asker in all the meetings. Did you guys know that? Top question asker.’’
Harbaugh then suggested that Thibodeaux would become a member of the media covering football.
“I’ll be too rich for that, coach,’’ Thibodeaux said.
It certainly appears that rookie Dominic Zvada is leading in the kicking competition, as he has outperformed Ben Sauls in the practices open to the media.
The Giants released veteran Jason Sanders earlier this spring and it looks like they will go into training camp with two kickers battling for one spot.
Of course, they will not hesitate to add a kicker if they find someone they believe is better than what they already have.
As a rookie in 2025, Sauls went 8-for-8 on field goals during a late-season audition with the Giants. Zvada’s kicking helped Michigan win the national championship in 2024 and he was not drafted this year.
Harbaugh spoke with Sauls — a rare left-footed kicker — Tuesday.
“I feel like this is preparation for training camp, which is where the competition will really heat up,’’ Harbaugh said. “The good thing about that is with Ben’s misses, they’ve all been left, if you’ve noticed. They’ve all been pushed left. It’s the same exact miss every time.
“That’s a good problem to have. He knows the problem with it from a technique standpoint. He’s just got to lock in and fix it. He’ll do that. I’m confident in it.’’
As for Zvada, Harbaugh said, “He has looked good. He’s been consistent and done a good job.’’
WR Odell Beckham Jr. had a strong practice, twice using his crafty route running to get the better of rookie CB Colton Hood.
On a deep-ball completion, Beckham backpedaled into the end zone.
Hood, the second-round draft pick, recovered by swatting away a pass intended for Darnell Mooney on the right sideline.
WR Dalen Cambre had the play of the day, a leaping one-handed grab of a Jameis Winston pass. On the next play, Winston was intercepted by LB Tremaine Edmunds. … CB Greg Newsome II had an interception off Jaxson Dart on a pass intended for Calvin Austin III.
