NFL

"Not only did he grow, he kind of became the bellcow," said Gilbride. "He was first in line and ... that was not what we saw last year, not by a long shot. So to see him grow like that was a great step forward." Gilbride is promising Randle "significant" playing time even when Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz both reenter the mix. Randle has serious breakout potential this season.

Herzlich lined up with the first-team defense during OTAs and minicamp. "He has been very commanding," DC Perry Fewell said. "He's taken a leadership role out there and I think he has some respect from his teammates. Obviously, we want to find out what happens when the pads come on."

Cruz is under contract, so he'll be subject to $30,000 per day in fines if he doesn't report to camp. He made the decision to sign his RFA tender now, rather than risk the Giants rescinding his one-year offer to the veteran minimum of $630,000. Per USA Today's Mike Garafolo, the sides "aren't any closer" on a long-term deal.

The Giants could have rescinded Cruz's one-year offer to the veteran's minimum of $630,000 on Monday had he not signed, but that was never considered likely to happen. Cruz skipped mandatory workouts while holding out for a new contract and the sides will continue extension talks before training camp starts. Cruz's agent, Tom Condon, is believed to be seeking at least $8 million annually on his next contract. USA Today's Mike Garafolo reports that the Giants "aren't any closer" on a long-term deal.

"Oh, he's gonna play. He's gonna play a lot," Gilbride said. "He'll play first, second down, he'll be an outside receiver for us -- whether he's at the X or the Z, he's gonna play. He's looking like he deserves to be out there for significant time." Randle is easily ahead of Louis Murphy and Ramses Barden for No. 3 receiver duties, and he'll see plenty of action in three-wide sets. We have Randle as our No. 59 receiver, but he has a ton of upside.

Nicks showed up for the start of minicamp on Tuesday to avoid being fined. He was expected to work out on a limited basis, but was a full-go at practice on Wednesday. If Nicks can stay healthy, expect a big bounce-back year from him as he pushes for a new contract.

It's the first time in Amukamara's career that he has been a full participant in OTAs and minicamp. He missed his first offseason due to the lockout, and he then battled an array of injuries last spring. Amukamara now has lofty goals for himself. "I really want to be the No. 1 corner on this team," he said. "As soon as I establish myself as the No. 1 corner [on the team], then hopefully just become the No. 1 corner in the whole league." Amukamara is locked into the starting right corner spot opposite Corey Webster.