Country roads took them home.

Following a stretch of 10 practices over the course of 11 days in West Virginia, the New York Giants opened the second phase of training camp on Monday back at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Simultaneously, they are gearing up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings at MetLife Stadium.

"We have a chance to be a good football team," the head coach told the media. "We're doing a lot of good things right now. Where do we go? This week we told the guys the focus this week is all the execution things for sure, but the focus this week is technique. From now until Saturday, our individual focus is on your technique. All the little things to make you successful. Even at the end of practice when you're dead tired, that's a fourth quarter, win the game type drill and you're down by 14. Okay? That's focus on your technique. Because if your technique is good, you can win the battle of fatigue. And that's what we're working on."

Play of the day

Darius Alexander wrapped up touchdowns, takeaways, and play of the day in one fell swoop. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive lineman intercepted a pass that was tipped by safety Ar'Darius Washington and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown with a cavalry behind him. Alexander, a third-round draft choice in 2025, also had an interception on the third day of camp in West Virginia, a play that drew the attention of Harbaugh and veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader.

"He's a guy who's got a really good chance to be special in this league," Reader said at the time. "He's a big body. You don't see too many D-tackles that big, long arms. Still amazed that he went to Toledo. I don't know what people are doing in recruiting. He can play."

More takeaways

The defense had two more takeaways on Monday. Cornerback Paulson Adebo grabbed an interception, and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson recovered a fumble in the scrum after a botched handoff.

The slide heard 'round the world

It's not often that a quarterback slide draws a cheer from the sideline, let alone by defenders. But that was the case today when quarterback Jaxson Dart slid during a situation period. His head coach even liked it.

"I clapped," Harbaugh said after practice. "I applauded. I applauded when he did that. It was great. Critical situation drill. We were trying to get a third or fourth down, but mostly third down, like anywhere from three to five in a drive in a game where the offense can win the game in the fourth quarter with a conversion. So, play calls and execution to get that first down, that was what that was. So, we had a great play. He came open. He ran around the corner, got the first down, slid inbounds, kept the clock running. All those things were well done."

Best of the rest

Wide receiver Braxton Berrios made a handful of noteworthy plays, including a diving catch and a long catch-and-run after Dart hit him in stride during a 7-on-7 period.

Tight end Thomas Fidone II made the catch of the day, hauling in a deep pass from Jameis Winston down the middle with two defenders on him.

Dart connected with Darius Slayton on a deep pass which the veteran wide receiver took the rest of the way for a 50-yard touchdown.

Cornerback Nic Jones made a diving pass breakup during 7-on-7 drills.

Back in the East Rutherford groove

Before they left for West Virginia, the Giants announced plans to expand and transform their team headquarters, anchored by a new and modern football-focused facility designed to elevate player performance, preparation, and recovery. The project includes approximately 93,500 square feet of new construction and 46,000 square feet of renovations. Together, these enhancements will transform the facility to better serve the evolving needs of players, coaches, and staff. The project is expected to be completed in advance of the 2028 season.

In the meantime, they have set up temporary quarters around the construction. The scope of the renovations came into focus when they returned over the weekend.

"I can't sit here and lie to you and say it doesn't," Harbaugh said on the impact of the construction. "It does. It's not Taj Mahal over there. We have to make it better. It's as good as we could do right now, but you kind of learn real quick what you need. The thing I really appreciate about the organization is that the ownership here will do whatever it takes. The fields are a good example. The fields were playing poorly in the spring. They went to work on the fields. We actually hired somebody, too. And the fields played great today. They were great. It was a major improvement.

"So, we're going to be in here for probably two seasons so they can build this over here. It's going to be incredible. But that's where we're going to be operating on it. So, we have a lot of work to do to make that better. But the players didn't bat an eye. They understand the circumstances. And it's gritty. So, maybe it's just what we needed. Maybe God said, 'I need you to be a little grittier as a football team, so we're going to put you in this park over here.'"