Art Stapleton | NFL writer

Danielle Parhizkaran, NorthJersey

EAST RUTHERFORD — Attendance has been strong for the Giants throughout the voluntary portion of their offseason training program.

So in reality, the biggest difference between what has transpired so far and this week's mandatory three-day minicamp that begins Tuesday is meeting time.

The Giants can have more meetings than they do in OTAs (organized team activities) within an expanded schedule with the entire 90-man roster expected to be accounted for when festivities get underway.

Here are five things to watch:

Daniel Jones staying anonymous — for now

On the football field and in uniform, Daniel Jones bears a striking resemblance to Eli Manning.

There are similarities in their personalities, too — the Giants' franchise quarterback of the past and present, the chosen one they believe will be their future at the position.

Apparently Jones is still afforded the opportunity to bask in anonymity out on the town, the kind that Manning lost a while ago when he started winning.

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Jones has made a few trips into New York City since he was drafted No. 6 overall to be Manning's heir apparent, including last weekend to celebrate his 22nd birthday, which was a week ago.

Asked if he was recognized, Jones chuckled. Not yet, he said with a laugh.

“There’s a lot of similarities in their stature and how they handle themselves,” Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. “Personality-wise, I would say in some ways they are similar as we get to know Daniel Jones and his personality more. They are very calm in their approach, but they’re very fiery under the covers. I don’t think you want to misrepresent either one of them. They are both very fiery about making sure things are done properly. They demand it of themselves and they demand it of the people around them.”

Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Jones is working mostly with the second-team offense and Manning, in his 16th season, remains the starter. All eyes will continue to be on Jones while he's on the practice field, of course, and the same goes for Manning. This isn't a competition, not realistically yet any way, and there will likely be push back from the Giants at some point with the focus intensifying on Manning and Jones.

What do the Giants need to see from Jones as he progresses?

”When he’s in there, it needs to look like football,” Shurmur said. “He needs to execute well, get completions and still drive the ball down the field and make the proper run checks and all the things necessary for a quarterback, and then fine-tune the fundamentals and the details that goes with each play. I see him getting better each day. I see a guy who’s getting himself right.”

To this point, Jones' approach has been exactly as advertised.

“I think all of our jobs are to be ready Week 1, whatever the circumstances are," Jones said, adding: "It's been good so far and I’m looking forward to finishing strong."

Saquon Barkley's desire for a masterpiece

The physicality won't be ramped up until training camp, and even then, gauging offensive and defensive line play tends to be a fruitless exercise.

Saquon Barkley isn't waiting to get a sense of how his offensive line with returnees Nate Solder and Will Hernandez on the left side, Jon Halapio and Spencer Pulley competing at center and newcomers Kevin Zeitler and Mike Remmers will fit together.

The mental aspect of Barkley's game paid dividends during his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, and he plans on making sure it does again in Year 2.

"Running is like an art," Barkley said. "I was talking to the line [after last Tuesday's practice]. Whether it is an inside zone, outside, whatever kind of run it is, it is just a feel for each other. Understanding, how can I set them up and what kind of blocking do they like to do. Just adding those guys who are pros and have done it at a high level definitely helps, but to be able to have them here now and to be able to have them mesh and start it off early, it is definitely going to help when the season comes along."

🏈⁦@art_stapleton⁩ joined me on @wfan660 earlier to preview #NYG minicamp, including what we’ll see from Eli & Daniel Jones. Thank you, Art!



Kim Jones with Art Stapleton - WFAN: On-Demand - https://t.co/5PeeS6vPWE https://t.co/Pdyftws4b8 — Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) June 2, 2019

Four corners

The most intriguing position battle will be at cornerback where Sam Beal and rookie DeAndre Baker will compete on the outside for the spot opposite Janoris Jenkins, while Grant Haley and rookie Julian Love duke it out in the slot.

Beal and Haley, second-year pros, have been running with the first team. Both Baker and Love have been getting time with both the first and second team.

All four have been performing at a high level so far in spring workouts, and obviously, we all know the adage about never having enough corners in this league. The Giants have made investments in these players - Haley is the only non-draftee - and their emergence could help shape the future of the defense moving forward.

Competition at linebacker

Can second-year pro Tae Davis push B.J. Goodson for his starting spot alongside Alec Ogletree at inside linebacker? Goodson has been with the starters in base defense in OTAs, while Davis has gotten the majority of the reps in nickel. Rookies Ryan Connelly and Mark McLaurin, an undrafted free agent from Mississippi State, have impressed in opportunities as well. McLaurin is a converted safety playing the Giants' "Money Backer" position, and defensive coordinator James Bettcher hopes he can emerge in that role the way Deone Bucannon did for him in Arizona.

Dexter Lawrence: The more he can do

So much has been made about whether former Clemson star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence can be more than a run stopper. The Giants are counting on Lawrence to provide a boost in the pass rush and he has been lining up at defensive end in three-man fronts, working mostly with the second team. The young talent up front is certainly intriguing with B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson projected as two of the three starters. Presumably Lawrence will challenge R.J. McIntosh, a fifth-round pick in 2018, for first-team chances throughout the summer. It's feasible that the Giants will prefer a rotation, but if Lawrence can move up and down the line in different spots, he can prove worthy of the 17th overall pick.

Email: stapleton@northjersey.com

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