Giants’ Xavier McKinney ‘excited’ to see London fashion scene

WARE, England – This is Xavier McKinney’s first time in England and he’s not wasting what little free time he has in his hotel room. He had not gone to explore the countryside where the giants stayed. McKinney had the big city in his sights and was booked on Friday to fight sleep and get into London.

“I don’t even know what’s in there,” McKinney said Friday. “But I know there’s a lot of fashion, so it’s my line. Wherever there’s clothes, I’ll be there – that’s where I belong.”

It was a very tired group of Giants travelers when their team charter touched down at Heathrow Airport around 7pm on Friday. They checked into the Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club – about an hour north of London – quickly settled down and headed for the practice field, unadjusted to the five hour time difference.

“Yeah, I’m tired,” said Daniel Jones. “We are all very tired. We’ve got some time to rest.”

This will be Jones’ first trip to Europe, but he said the Giants won’t venture to London to play the Packers on Sunday, preferring to stay near the team’s hotel. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence heads to London for dinner and shopping, but only after “a long nap”.

Head coach Brian Daboll had scheduled a light practice session shortly after the team arrived at the hotel, making sure no one got too comfortable in their room. A full-sized football field, tucked into the rolling hills, sits at the base of a small hill, creating a perfect environment for the Giants to work out.

“It’s kind of peaceful,” Lawrence said. “It’s open to full fields, a little pond over there. We took two rounds. I just felt peace. He stretched a little. We’re going to do some yoga or something. It was good.”

“I felt like we were in a movie,” McKinney said as he looked around the lush green lawn.

“Everything looks great. “Everything looks clean. It feels good. I’ve never been here before so I’m excited. I know there are many men too. “A lot of guys haven’t been here, it’s their first time here.”

Jones was a bit carried away playing overseas.

“I think it’s a fun experience to think we’re playing a football game in London,” he said. “You go over the hill, and there’s pastures, there’s a golf course, and all of a sudden you see a football field. That was great. It is a cool field that they have prepared at this hotel. It’s a great experience. We are all excited to be here.