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Fact or Fiction: Standouts 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.

The one-handed catch by rookie WR Malachi Fields was the best play from the first week of OTAs.

John Schmeelk: Fact - Both Fields' catch on Tuesday and Isaiah Likely's on Wednesday were spectacular plays, but the edge goes to the rookie. Likely got a little more air on his jump, which made his catch a bit tougher, but the fact that Fields had to twist his body on a pass thrown slightly behind him before shooting up his left hand for a one-handed grab near the sideline made it a more difficult catch. It is also a play he might have to make fairly regularly in game situations on back-shoulder catches near the sideline. Fields has smaller hands for a 6'4" player, but you wouldn't know that from watching his college tape or his play in practice.

Dan Salomone: Fact – With that play, he proved why the Giants gave up picks in the fourth and fifth rounds this year, in addition to a fourth-round selection next year, to get him. "You can put it in the radius, put it in the area, and he's going to come down with it a lot of times," general manager Joe Schoen said after the draft. "You saw that at Notre Dame. [He's a] down-the-field target who can come down with the ball in contested situations. Red zone, a big body in the red zone, again with that tremendous catch radius. That's invaluable for a young quarterback."

Matt Citak: Fiction – Fields' one-handed grab was an impressive way for the rookie to kick off his first OTA practice in the NFL. As jaw-dropping as that catch was, I have to go with Isaiah Likely's snag during Wednesday's session. The tight end also used only one hand to come down with the incredible grab, as he caught the ball while simultaneously recreating the Air Jordan logo. You can't go wrong with either one of these catches as they were easily the top two plays from the first week of OTAs.

OLB Abdul Carter has been the standout of OTAs so far.

John Schmeelk: Fact - I hate answering "fact" on this because of the nature of OTA practices. There are no pads or contact, so it is very easy for a player like Carter, who might be the best pound for pound athlete on the field, to use his ridiculous speed, quickness and flexibility to get into the backfield and wreak havoc. But he has done it so consistently that it is impossible for me to go with anyone else. I think a big year is coming for Abdul Carter.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – Wide receiver Calvin Austin III continues to rack up the catches (and yards after) at OTAs. He has been a frequent target for Dart in the early going this spring. The veteran offseason addition has been making the most of his opportunities.

Matt Citak: Fact – On the offensive side of the ball, I agree with Dan that Calvin Austin III has made a noticeable impact. And while contact is not yet allowed at practice, thus limiting the action between the offensive and defensive linemen, it would be difficult to ignore Abdul Carter's performance through the first few days of OTAs. Carter has found himself in the backfield on numerous occasions each day, using his speed and bend to quickly get into the quarterback's face. This is one we'll have to keep an eye on once the pads come on at training camp.

View the top photos from the first week of OTAs at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

LB Arvell Reese is the most physically impressive rookie you have seen up close at the start of his Giants career.

John Schmeelk: Fact - When Tremaine Edmunds walked into the facility for the first time as a free agent, I was gobsmacked by how big he was. He had a bigger frame than Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is not a small edge rusher. Arvell Reese is built much like Tremaine Edmunds. The two men stand next to each other behind the line of scrimmage at linebacker and you have to blink to make sure the Giants don't have two smaller defensive ends lined up as stand-up rushers. They are gigantic. Their wingspans are going to give quarterbacks all sorts of problems finding passing windows in the middle of the field. I do feel duty-bound to point out, however, that Francis Mauigoa carries his 330 pounds extremely well. He's not slim, but he does not carry a lot of excess weight. He looks very natural and in good physical shape at 330 pounds. It's just how big of a human being he is.

Dan Salomone: Fact – That's what you expect from a player who was developed at Ohio State. I started with the Giants in 2010, and for a long time, David Wilson held this honor. The way he could weave and turn on the jets always impressed me. But there's something about seeing a 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker in the middle of a defense that should excite Giants fans specifically. Better yet, they have another one right next to him in Tremaine Edmunds.

Matt Citak: Fact – I went with Carter as my standout of OTAs so far, but Reese was certainly in the discussion. The rookie linebacker not only looks physically impressive, but he has been playing like it, too. Through just a handful of OTA practices, Reese has already shown the ability to play sideline-to-sideline with his speed on full display on almost every play. I've mentioned this before, but Giants fans should be very excited to watch Reese and Edmunds play next to each other both this season and beyond.

The biggest takeaway from the Giants Town Hall this week was John Harbaugh exciting the fanbase.

John Schmeelk: Fact - I've been to a lot of Giants Town Hall events with different players, coaches and Giants executives, and never once did anyone take over an auditorium full of thousands of people the way John Harbaugh did. What stands out to me is how comfortable he is in his own skin, beliefs and what you need to do to successfully win football games. It comes from nearly two decades of winning consistently. He also has an energy level and enthusiasm that is infectious. He understands the fan base, and in many cases shares in their desires when it comes to the Giants and their division rivals.

Dan Salomone: Fact – I knew he would get a warm reception at The Beacon, but I wasn't necessarily expecting a standing ovation when he took the stage (and when he left it). Harbaugh has the hardware to back up what he says, and he said a lot of what I'm sure fans want to hear, especially the part about the NFC East. The head coach, who has 193 wins including a Super Bowl, said he doesn't "give a crap" about what has happened in the division in recent years. "All I care about is tomorrow's practice," he said as the crowd erupted.

Matt Citak: Fact – In addition to talking about the rivalry within the NFC East, Harbaugh was asked by a fan about handling the pressure of playing in the New York market. "I'm really not worried about it. … I just want to win games. I want you driving home from MetLife Stadium happy." After a successful 18-year tenure in Baltimore, which included 12 trips to the postseason, it is clear that Harbaugh just gets it. The long-time NFL head coach brings the experience, wherewithal and confidence to help get the Giants back to where the team wants to be.

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