CB Trumain McBride is looking to make the starting Defense after a long hard road.

By Michael Eisen
Aug. 17, 2015
 
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – While most of the news in the Giants’ secondary this training camp has been on injured and absent players, two cornerbacks have quietly earned the coaches’ attention with strong performances.
 
Eight-year veteran Trumaine McBride and fourth-year pro Trevin Wade played a combined total of six games last season, but are working hard to earn more time on the field this year.
 
McBride, in his third season with the Giants, is playing the slot position in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
 
“I feel like I’ve been decent,” McBride said. “I’m used to getting my hands on balls every practice. But it’s a little bit different at the nickel position, because it’s more like a hybrid linebacker-type of position. So the opportunities as far as being at outside corner aren’t as great. Right now, I’m just getting used to playing the nickel position and just learn every detail of coach’s system.”
 
McBride made an early departure from the Giants’ preseason opener Friday night in Cincinnati after straining his hamstring. But he was back on the field when the Giants returned to work yesterday.
 
“I’m always one of those guys that fights through injuries,” McBride said. “Two years ago I played with a torn heel. It’s just built in me as a player.”
 
McBride believes he’s had enough idle time in his career. He sat out the 2012 season after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last year, he played in only six games before injuring his thumb in Philadelphia on Oct. 19. McBride underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
 
“That was tough for me, mentally,” he said. “But I’m just happy to be healthy this year.”

McBride’s six games last year were six more than Wade played. He was waived by New Orleans on Sept. 16 and spent the season’s last two months on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. Wade has played 15 career games – 13 with Cleveland in 2012 and two with the Saints the following year.
 
Now he’s making a serious bid to make the Giants’ roster. Wade is getting a lot of practice reps, he always seems to be around the ball, and he made one of the team’s few big plays in the preseason opener in Cincinnati, intercepting a Keith Wenning pass and returning it 61 yards.
 
“He’s done a nice job,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “When a guy steps up, he’s around the ball, he’s making plays – he made a big one at the end, I think you have to recognize that. At first, I don’t think anybody really knew where he was, as a player. But it’s good to see him, I’d like to see more guys do that.”
 
Wade helped Bennett Jackson get a pick on the last play of practice yesterday. He leaped for a pass that was thrown to Preston Parker and momentarily had the ball. But it popped out when he hit the ground and went right to Jackson.
 
“I got the interception, and I just kind of landed awkward,” Wade said. “It was just funny. He ended up being there, too, to finish off the series and get us off the field.”
 
On the previous play, Odell Beckham Jr. had leaped over Wade to make an impressive catch that elicited a roar from the crowd.
 
“I was mad about that, and I wanted to get the ball back,” Wade said. “I figured he was going to try me again, and they did. We made a play on the ball, and stopped them from scoring. That’s an important thing, just coming back and make them pay.”
 
Wade’s headstrong attitude has put him in contention to earn a roster spot, and he’s not about to change now.
 
“I just come with a chip on my shoulder every day,” he said. “Every day I’m out here and just thankful to be out here. So I just try to go in like it’s my last day.”
 
*Tom Coughlin again expressed optimism that 12-year veteran Eli Manning will have one of his best seasons in 2015.
 
“I think he’s prepared to be better than he’s ever been, to be honest with you,” Coughlin said. “I thought last year his improvement was outstanding. His conditioning, his offseason work. Even right now, his recovery cycle work and flexibility is better than I’ve ever seen it. Again, he’s young, he’s obviously very driven, and he’s in a great frame of mind.”
 
*Team president John Mara said in a radio interview today that the Giants this season will wear a patch on their jersey to honor his mother and the franchise’s matriarch, Ann Mara, as well as a helmet sticker with Frank Gifford’s No. 16. Mrs. Mara passed away on Feb. 1, and Gifford died on Aug. 9.
 
*Safety Cooper Taylor (toe) missed his first practice of training camp.
 
*Defensive end George Selvie left early after hurting his knee.
 
*Players still not practicing include wide receiver Rueben Randle (tendonitis), safety Landon Collins (knee), and cornerbacks Prince Amukamara (groin) and Jayron Hosley (concussion). Amukamara stood on the field in full pads…Safety Nat Berhe (calf) participated in some individual drills.
 
*Linebacker Jonathan Casillas returned to work after missing practice yesterday with a stiff neck.
 
*The Giants are off tomorrow and will return to work Wednesday.