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When pads are put on for the first time in training camp, the testosterone generally goes through the roof. Such was the case for the New York Giants on Tuesday.
During the late stages of practice, running back Corey Clement burst through the line for a big run and proceeded to take an equally big hit. Then all heck broke loose.
Tight end Evan Engram hit safety Jabrill Peppers late, safety Logan Ryan hit Engram from behind and then just about everyone else on the team erupted into a brawl that somehow saw quarterback Daniel Jones end up on the bottom of the pile.
Jones was eventually pulled out by center Nick Gates.
Big brawl during a team period. There was a big hit on Corey Clement downfield, Evan Engram shoved the tackler (didn’t see who it was) and then Logan Ryan nailed Engram from behind. Whole team got involved. Joe Judge is livid. Full team sent to run sprints.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 3, 2021
Understandably, head coach Joe Judge was livid and took that anger out on his players. Not only were they forced to run gassers for several minutes, he also made the entire unit get on the ground for pushups as punishment…and then run some more gassers.
First day of pads got ugly. Corey Clement got popped at end of a play during 11-on-11s. Evan Engram defended his guy. Logan Ryan crushed Engram from behind. Team scuffled. Guys on the ground.
End result: A FURIOUS Joe Judge. Ten minutes later Giants still running sprints.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 3, 2021
Now more push-ups. https://t.co/NVfZE3ExlO
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) August 3, 2021
After their pushups and gassers, Judge gathered the team in a huddle and proceeded to kick the coaches off the field so that he could address the players alone.
The angriest I’ve seen Joe Judge. He just called the players together and is lighting them up. Told everyone else to stay out of the huddle. https://t.co/LUFFZgkYv4
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 3, 2021
Unsurprisingly, most of the words Judge could be heard using to address his team began with the letter “F.”
Following the conclusion of practice, Jones said he wasn’t injured but didn’t really explain how he got involved. He bucked the question, merely stating he was “part of the team.” He also noted that Judge’s message after the melee was crystal clear.
“There’s consequences for that kind of stuff and that’s the way it is in a game. If you lose your cool, there’s consequences that hurts the team. That was the message,” Jones stated. “[We] certainly got the message today.”
Meanwhile, Ryan said he didn’t regret his part in the brawl.
“At the end of the day I’m going to defend my teammates,” Ryan told reporters. “I’m a grown man. I’m going to pay my dues.”
Ryan also wasn’t concerned that there would be any lingering issues between he and Engram.
“We’re locker buddies. We’ll be fine,” he added. “Every great team has chippy times. It’s good.”
Anyone who wishes to see the brawl may be out of luck. During that portion of practice, video recording is prohibited.
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