Giants head coach Ben McAdoo can’t wait for real hitting at training camp. Photo by Al Thompson.

EAST RUTHERFORD: You could tell Giants head coach Ben McAdoo is tired of all the OTA sessions, mini-camps, and now the first few days of the actual training camp.

It seemed like every player evaluation question asked on Sunday, he deflected because he can’t do anything until his team is playing real football and that means shoulder pads and football pants.

Tuesday Big Blue will be hitting for real; so what is the second-year coach trying to get accomplished on Tuesday’s practice?

“We’re going to come back, when you put the pads on, the intensity goes to a different level,” McAdoo said. “So we’re going to be smart about how long we’re on the field – that’s the first thing. We’re going to make sure we teach the fundamentals the right way before we just roll the ball out there and start hitting on each other. So it’s about the fundamental part of the game, and learning how to fit your pads in because you play so much without your pads in the game today.”

McAdoo was asked to comment on last week’s New York Times story about CTE and the younger retirements in the league and if he talked to his players about it.

“We talked about,” he said. “The opening day of training camp we had a conversation on empathy and how it fits into our value system and how we try to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes before we judge. I think that’s a big part of it.”

Giants 1st round pick Evan Engram talks to reporters Sunday. Photo by Al Thompson

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Giants first round pick Evan Engram out of Ole Miss, the same school quarterback Eli Manning played for, talked with reporters on Sunday. He was asked about his relationship with the veteran signal caller.

“We’re just getting to know each other,” Engram said. “Definitely building chemistry and just being one of the guys. Eating lunch with him, talking to him, making corrections on the field. Just getting to know him and being comfortable around each other. I have to be where he wants me to be. I have to take a lot of things and he helps me with a lot of stuff too. It’s a growing relationship and I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him and be the best guy on the offense to help him out.”

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Not much fireworks Sunday with Giants receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Brandon Marhall. In fact it was more of a bounce back day for the Big Blue secondary who were scortched during Saturday’s session.
Leading the way were safety Landon Collins and second-year corner Eli Apple. Both took turns swatting Manning passes intended for the Giants high profile receivers.

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Giants offensive line starters in Sunday’s practice: LT Ereck Flowers, LG Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, RG John Jerry, RT Bobby Hart.