The New York Giants and Detroit Lions’ joint training camp practices predictably turned intensely physical with multiple altercations breaking out as both teams tested each other on the field.
The scuffles don’t come as too big of a surprise, especially since altercations during joint practices go together like peanut butter and jelly.
The first significant confrontation arose during an 11-on-11 drill, where tensions flared between the Lions’ wide receivers and the Giants’ defensive backs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams of the Lions had a contentious exchange with Giants defenders Dru Phillips and Dane Belton.
St. Brown was seen pushing Belton’s helmet following a nudge at the end of a play, while Phillips jabbed at Williams’ neck after some rough contact.
The skirmish quickly escalated, drawing in additional players, including Giants cornerbacks Breon Borders and Nick McCloud.
Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, recently one of the NFL’s highest-paid offensive linemen, also found himself in the middle of the fracas before coaches intervened to restore order.
The altercations didn’t stop there.
Later, during another 11-on-11 session with the Giants on offense, a scuffle erupted involving Giants guard Greg Van Roten, who got entangled on the ground with a Lions lineman.
Quarterback Daniel Jones even got involved, shoving a Detroit defender before coaches separated the players.
The skirmish followed a complaint from Giants head coach Brian Daboll about a Lions defender hitting Jones’ arm, despite the quarterback being in a non-contact jersey.
Needless to say, Danny Dimes getting into the mix won him some major brownie points with his teammates…
A final flare-up occurred towards the end of practice during second-team drills, as linemen from both sides engaged in pushing and shoving.
Giants stars Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns stepped in to defuse the situation before practice concluded.
All in all, nothing that happened between the Giants and Lions was too out of the ordinary. As a matter of fact, it would be surprising if the scuffles didn’t happen.
The biggest takeaway is Jones jumping into the fire. All eyes will be on him to live up to his contract and prove to Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen that he is indeed the Giants’ franchise quarterback.
What is your all-time favorite training camp fight/altercation???