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DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS**
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It's tough for linemen to make names for themselves without live contact, so they relish days like Wednesday when they were in full pads for the first time at training camp. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who had a breakout sophomore season with 7.0 sacks in 16 starts in 2014, made the most of the opportunity, providing a highlight stuff of a run play during team drills at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
"I know they're working hard and they've improved their technique," coach Tom Coughlin said when asked about the defensive tackles' performance today. "Our footwork seems to be better. I think both the ends and the tackles rushed the passer pretty well today. Like I said, some runs squirted through, but they certainly did okay."
DE ROBERT AYERS JR.
In his second season with the Giants, veteran Robert Ayers Jr. is looking for a starting job in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's new scheme. And the Jersey City native who grew up idolizing Hall of Famer Michael Strahan keeps making a strong case for himself and forced a fumble in today's practice.
"Robert has played well," Coughlin said earlier this week. "He's been a really good soldier, he's been a good teammate. He's grabbed guys and talked to them, whether it be in the meeting rooms or out here. He's worked hard. I've seen nothing but good things out of him."
WR GEREMY DAVIS
The late rounds of the NFL Draft are used to bring in what front offices believe will be their core special teamers on the roster. But while Geremy Davis, a sixth-rounder from the University of Connecticut, has the tools to be one, he is also showing his ability as a receiver and hauled in a handful of catches again on Wednesday.
"I think he's come a long way," wide receivers coach Sean Ryan said. "The thing I really like about him is that he's really serious. I mean, for a rookie, he's serious about his business. And he's been that way since day one — he's a note taker, he pays attention to everything, he's detailed, he is as good of a worker as you can ask for with a maturity level, for a rookie, that is outstanding. And that is really what's been most impressive to me."
