It has been three long years since the New York Giants last made the playoffs. This offseason with the selection of Landon Collins the Giants made a statement that they intend to return to the postseason in 2015.

The former Alabama safety was selected with the first pick of the second round in this year’s NFL draft. The Giants drafted Collins with the hope that he would become the new starting safety.

Through the first few days of training camp Collins had taken first team reps with the rest of the starters. When it came to day three of training camp Collins was not out with the first team for the first time all training camp.

Bennett Jackson and rookie fifth-round pick Mykkele Thompson worked with the first team on Monday instead. This marked the third time in four days that the Giants have used a different safety combination.

Secondary and safeties coach Dave Merritt said “There is no one that is just walking in and we’re saying, ‘Hey, this is your starting job,’ even though a lot of people want to go out there and put it on Landon Collins.”

Even with the loss of playing time on Monday Collins still remains the favorite to earn a starting safety position with the Giants. Removing first team reps send a message to Collins and the rest of the team that every starting position will have to be earned and not given.

Ivan L. White is a contributor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ilwhite1.