If Travis Kelce sees a Giants tight end shrewdly shake coverage Sunday against the Chiefs, he will have an idea where they learned the secret.
Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz and rookie Thomas Fidone attended Tight End University — an annual offseason knowledge-sharing gathering of NFL tight ends organized by Kelce and fellow All-Pro George Kittle (49ers).
“We sit in the classroom, and I wouldn’t say he’s got a future as a teacher, but [Kelce] does a good job of giving us his mindset and viewpoints on how he does stuff,” Bellinger said to The Post with a laugh. “George does, too. Travis has this quickness and way of being able to separate more than a lot of guys; pardon the pun, but a Swiftiness to him.”
Yes, Taylor Swift was at her now-fiancé’s side during TEU. She even performed her hit “Shake It Off.”
Fidone’s girlfriend was standing right next to Swift waiting for an introduction that her boyfriend never made while chatting up Kelce.
“I could tell she was itching to talk to her,” Fidone said, “but there will be plenty of opportunities down the road.”
Kelce hasn’t been shy about heaping praise on the Giants tight ends. He lauded Bellinger as an “awesome athlete” in 2023, and he pulled Fidone aside to say that he has some “juice” to him.
“Hearing that was huge confidence-wise early in my career,” Bellinger said. “A guy like that can see that I can play in this league.”
Fidone, a seventh-round pick who has a Big Ten-rooted friendship with Kittle, is awaiting his NFL debut.
“Tight end is a savvy position,” Fidone said. “Not everything has to be out-efforting everybody. Sometimes, you can win with technique or win with your mind. That’s kind of Travis’ game. Stuff like that is a brotherhood, and you’re hearing little tips on how to do it from the best to do it, whether it’s on how to study or read defenses.”
LB Swayze Bozeman’s rookie season ended with an AFC championship ring and a loss in the Super Bowl as a member of the Chiefs.
One week after making his Giants’ debut, Bozeman could make his first career start Sunday against his former team and the great Patrick Mahomes.
The Giants are paper-thin at linebacker, and Bozeman finished his last game with the starters after being elevated from the practice squad to play special teams.
“It’s almost like a full-circle moment,” Bozeman said. “I’m watching film of all these guys I practiced against last year.
“A sense of familiarity comes with watching Trav run a route the unorthodox way that he does. I’ve seen that in practice 1,000 times. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to stop, but you’re able to recognize it. Everything you see Pat do in a game, he’s done it 10 times in practice. Probably crazier stuff, too. You are amazed by it but not surprised.”
LB Darius Muasau (concussion) is out. LB Demetirus Flannigan-Fowles (calf) and DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr. (foot) are doubtful.
EDGE Chauncey Golston (ankle), WR/returner Gunner Olszewski and OT Andrew Thomas (foot) are questionable.
Xavier Gipson, who was cut by the Jets after his critical fumbled kickoff return in Week 1, could make his Giants’ debut Sunday as the primary returner in place of Olszewski.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
