Victor Cruz can be counted on again, returning from nearly two years on the sideline without a hint of injury. Sterling Shepard can be counted on already, a rookie without a hint of being overwhelmed or underprepared. Odell Beckham Jr. remains a constant, the most gifted player on the field at all times.
Yet, even with Eli Manning directing one of the league’s most talented receiving corps, the Giants haven’t yet become the juggernaut offense imagined if Cruz and Shepard played so well so quickly.
“Obviously we haven’t had that game where we all click and everything is good on all cylinders,” Cruz said Friday. “But I think we’re close. I think we’re getting there. I still think we’re still learning each other and learning how to be around each other. … We’ll get there.”
Through three games, the Giants rank 21st in the league with 21 points per game and have converted on 2-of-8 red zone trips over the past two games. The Giants are also tied for the fifth-most turnovers (seven) in the league.
If the talent ever matches the potential, Cruz thinks it could become the best offense he’s ever been a part of, but the group still needs to prove it can reach its ceiling.
“I played on a team with Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and we did some special things together,” Cruz said. “It’s too early to tell, but obviously on paper when you look at us we have all the tools to be that, but we just got to continue to play each game and see where that takes us.”
The Giants have faced Dez Bryant and DeSean Jackson this season, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo thinks Vikings second-year receiver Stefon Diggs may be their toughest test thus far.
Diggs, who is expected to be covered largely by cornerback Janoris Jenkins, is averaging more than 108 receiving yards per game.
“I think he’s as good as we’ve seen this year,” Spagnuolo said. “I know Sam [Bradford] a little bit … and I can tell he’s confident in him. He’s gonna be a guy we’re gonna have to be concerned with. We always identify the guys we think can wreck the football game and I think he can.”
Rashad Jennings (thumb/wrist) was limited in practice and Ben McAdoo said the running back’s availability for Monday likely will be a gameday decision.
Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) worked on the side with a trainer, but did not practice for the second straight day. McAdoo said both cornerbacks looked “better,” but Spagnuolo didn’t appear confident either would play.
“We’ll miss ’em,” Spagnuolo said. “Got to get somebody else to step up in there. Hopefully they can get healthy quick.”
Safety Nat Berhe (concussion) and offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse (calf) also did not practice. …Safety Darian Tompson (foot) is still wearing a walking boot.
Jason Pierre-Paul has played nearly 98 percent of snaps this season and Olivier Vernon has played nearly 94 percent of snaps. While McAdoo thought that usage was sustainable, Spagunolo said the team probably has to give more rest to their key defensive linemen.
“We need to take a few snaps off of those guys … [but] it’s hard to take those guys out,” Spagunolo said. “They don’t really want to be out. I think that’s great … but when you get down to the end you really need to step up and those guys need to be fresh.”
Vernon called his wrist injury a “little bee sting,” but said it doesn’t affect his play and he’s getting used to it being wrapped. What’s still strange for the Miami native is watching the Dolphins play without him, as he saw Thursday night.
“You never get used to it,” Vernon said. “Still a lot of guys on that team, you wish them the best … [but] it’s all about blue and red right now. It’s all about the big blue.”
The Redskins Josh Norman was fined $48,620 by the NFL on Friday for his unnecessary roughness foul on Sterling Shepard.
Giants center Weston Richburg was docked $12,154 for his unsportsmanlike conduct after being ejected. and safety Adams was fined $9,115 for hitting a Redskins player who was out of bounds during a punt.
The Redskins’ Josh Norman was fined $48,620 by the NFL for his unnecessary roughness foul last week on Shepard. Giants center Weston Richburg was docked $12,154 for his unsportsmanlike conduct after being ejected, and Adams was fined $9,115 for hitting a Redskins player who was out of bounds during a punt.
— additional reporting by Paul Schwartz
— with AP