Dwayne Harris
Wide receiver/special teams ace Dwayne Harris is enjoying a different training camp atmosphere with the Giants.
(John Munson | NJ Advance Media)
EAST RUTHERFORD - The Giants are known as a professional, well-run organization from top to bottom. They've won two Super Bowls over the past eight seasons. Some consider their head coaching job the "gold standard."
The Dallas Cowboys, under the ownership of Jerry Jones, are known as the wild, crazy, impulsive America's Team. They haven't won a Super Bowl in the 21st century. They're the kind of organization that signs defensive end Greg Hardy, a domestic abuser, and promotes its training camp brawl on the team's website and social media. With the Cowboys, the owner makes the personnel decisions because, well, he's also the general manager.
Jones never shies away from attention. He doesn't worry about, say, putting Chris Christie in the owners' box and exchanging awkward hugs and high fives in front of millions.
The two organizations couldn't be any more different in how they operate. New Giants wide receiver Dwayne Harris, after signing a lucrative deal as a free agent this offseason following four years in Dallas, sees a stark contrast in how the two teams practice as well.
"The way [the Giants] practice, it's so much fun. I love the way we practice," Harris said in this week's 'Talk Is Cheap' podcast episode.
"[In Dallas] it's a lot of just ... arguing. There is always arguing. People [are] always arguing. And here, we have a good time, we have fun, go out and have practice as professionals.
"In Dallas, it's more intense. There is a lot more buildup. We do one-on-ones or defense vs. offense. I think there is more intensity there. This is more professional. Everyone is trying to keep each other safe."
Arguing, huh? With wide receiver Dez Bryant and cornerback Orlando Scandrick on the roster? Who would've thunk it?
It sometimes extends beyond arguing as well.
"In Dallas, it's like all-out brawl," said Harris, several hours before the Giants had an ugly fight of their own on the practice field. "It's an all-out brawl."
TALK IS CHEAP, Episode 17: The early days of training camp, and an interview with Dwayne Harris
As training camp is finally here, we talk to Giants newcomer Dwayne Harris about what it's like coming from the Cowboys to the Giants. Plus, an introduction to our newest member on the Giants beat. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Bryant threw haymakers at a teammate over the weekend. Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh and defensive end Damontre Moore did the same on Monday.
Coach Tom Coughlin wasn't pleased with the fists, which were aimed at each others' helmets. Harris said it's par for the course with the Cowboys, especially with Bryant.
"Dez is big, physical strong," Harris said. "That is just how he plays."
This is in stark contrast to the Giants receiving corp. Bryant is listed at 6-2, 220. He's likely even bigger, and definitely plays bigger.
The Giants top receivers (Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz, James Jones, Reuben Randle, Harris and Preston Parker) are all listed at 208 and under. They're not the most physical group outside of Corey Washington, who checked in at 223 pounds this summer.
"We have a lot of small guys. We're more finesse," Harris said. "I'm like one of the big guys."
According to Harris, they're more mellow, too. Just another difference between the Giants and the Cowboys.
Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.