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Fact or Fiction: Takeaways from OTAs (so far)

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The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

Daniel Jones participating in 7-on-7 drills has been the biggest takeaways of OTAs so far.

John Schmeelk: Fact - It isn't just that he is doing on 7-on-7's, either. If you didn't know about the injury last year, there would be no reason to think Jones wasn't 100% healthy. He looks like he could play in a game tomorrow. When he is sprinting on the side, including stopping and starting, he looks very explosive. Jones told the media he has no reason to think he won't be cleared by the start of training camp and ready to start Week 1, and the eye test tells the same story. He looks every part of the Giants QB1. My other main takeaway is on the offensive line where we have seen the initial alignment of the group with Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, John Michael Schmitz, Jon Runyan Jr., and Evan Neal lined up left to right.

Matt Citak: Fact – While there have been several key takeaways from the first week of OTAs, including Malik Nabers' incredible athleticism and the tantalizing potential of the Brian Burns-Kayvon Thibodeaux pass rush combo, Jones participating in 7-on-7 drills is the most significant. The starting quarterback tore his ACL less than seven months ago, yet you wouldn't be able to tell when watching him on the field. Jones has said he hopes to be ready by the start of training camp, and so far, he looks well on his way to achieving that goal.

Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns is the new duo you're most excited to see develop this year.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - I am excited about that duo, but I'll take Malik Nabers and Jalin Hyatt. Both of those players can score a touchdown from any spot on the field, and should be constant blinking lights on opponents' scouting reports that they have to account for. I can even raise you to a trio and include Wan'Dale Robinson in that group.

Matt Citak: Fact – As briefly mentioned in my first answer, the Thibodeaux-Burns combination has the potential to be one of the best pass rushing duos in the NFL. The two young outside linebackers have spoken to the media about pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves, and it's easy to see when watching them on the practice field. Both players are giving it their all each and every rep, trying to best the other one every chance they get. Burns referred to it as "healthy competition" on Thursday, and I for one cannot wait to continue to watch these two compete all season.

View photos of the New York Giants' 2024 active roster as it currently stands.

Manning-to-Manningham on the sideline is the biggest threat to David Tyree's helmet catch for the "Greatest Play in Giants History" vote.

John Schmeelk: Fact - The Tyree catch was later in the game and more spectacular, but the Manningham catch presents such a high level of execution from the two players in the most important moment that I would have a hard time believing any other play is going to come close. Manning hits Manningham in stride as close to the sideline as possible on a play he needed every inch with the safety screaming over from the middle of the field.

Matt Citak: Fact – The sideline pass from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham in Super Bowl XLVI combined an amazing play with the highest of stakes. The Giants had the ball on their own 12-yard line, down by two and with less than four minutes left in the game. After struggling to move the ball following their touchdown drive in the first quarter, the Giants offense needed a spark in the worst way. Manning threw a perfectly placed ball where only his receiver could get it, and Manningham finished the catch and got both feet down while being draped by one defender and about to get hit by another. Outside of Tyree's helmet catch, this is the greatest play in Giants history.

Toomer's touchdown to beat the undefeated Broncos will face Manningham's sideline catch in the "Red Bracket" final.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - I like the Jim Burt hit on Montana leading to a Lawrence Taylor pick-six in the '86 playoffs and the Amani Toomer 52-yard touchdown against the Cowboys in the 2007 Divisional Round more than the Toomer touchdown against the Broncos. Both were critical plays against rivals in the playoffs that helped get the Giants to a Super Bowl they would eventually win. The Toomer touchdown catch turned a game around where the Cowboys were dominating on the ground with Marion Barber before the score. The Taylor score opened up a 28-3 lead and knocked Montana out of the game.

Matt Citak: Fiction – Manningham's sideline catch will certainly make it to the "Red Bracket" final, but I'm going with Plaxico Burress' game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl XLII as the other play to make it to the final. While the play itself may not have been the most jaw-dropping we have seen in Giants history, the significance of the touchdown cannot be understated as it was the game-winning score against the only team to ever start its season, including the playoffs, 18-0.

To commemorate their 100th season, the New York Giants today unveiled a "Century Red" uniform, which the team will wear for up to two games in 2024.

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