American Football

Giants news, 1/6: Playing time still up in the air Sunday, Wink defends Kayvon, more

January 6, 2023

New York Giants headlines for Friday

Giants-Eagles preview: New York ‘playing with house money’ in unexpectedly important game for Philly

The New York Giants finish their regular season Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The game is unexpectedly important for the Eagles, and this is much of the focus of our ‘5 questions’ segment with Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation.

Ed: Hurts’ absence, obviously, has been a factor in the Eagles’ back-to-back losses. I haven’t watched those games in depth, but I suspect his injury isn’t the only issue Philly has been having. So, what has been going on?

Brandon: Injuries to other key players certainly haven’t helped. The Eagles have always been significantly worse without starting right tackle Lane Johnson. Losing nickel cornerback Avonte Maddox also hurts considering teams have not been shy about attacking his replacement, Josiah Scott.

Beyond injuries, the defense was an issue in the Cowboys game. Jonathan Gannon’s unit allowed Dak Prescott to complete 24 of 24 attempts against zone coverage. Gannon is obsessed with disallowing big plays … sometimes to a detriment. You know the saying ‘Hope isn’t a strategy’? Well, Gannon seems to disagree. His defense is designed to sit back and wait for the opponent to make a mistake. It’s not a strategy totally without merit given some of the success the Eagles have had on defense this year. But it’s not always the most aesthetically pleasing style to watch. And sometimes it feels like he needs to force the issue a big more than he does. Gannon picked a bad time to get needlessly creative in the Cowboys game when the Eagles tried to disguise a coverage where their backup slot corner was supposed to drop back deep from his nickel spot on a 3rd-and-30. The Eagles giving up a first down on that play was inexcusable. No good reason why T.Y. Hilton was able to get behind the defense on that play.

From Big Blue View

Other Giant observations

Michael Strahan addresses playoff-bound Giants at practice | SNY.tv

DL Leonard Williams spoke to reporters in the locker room after practice and discussed the impact of Strahan throughout the season.

“He’s taught me a lot of football late in my career,” Williams said. “Strahan came into our meeting room one time this year and told us that even in year 10, he was learning from the young guys. No matter where you are in your career, you can always learn something.”

ESPN’s Max Kellerman backing Danny Dimes

With much gusto, Max Kellerman unveiled Daniel Jones as a top 5 NFL QB.

Damien Woody and Kimberley Martin reacted just about how you’d expect. pic.twitter.com/GdPSqMhPc7

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 4, 2023

Ex-Jets QB makes bold prediction for Giants’ return to playoffs | NJ.com

Mark Sanchez thinks they’ll go on a bit of a run.

“They’re going to shock somebody. They’re going to totally derail somebody, or take them down to the wire. Their defense is so multiple. One of these teams that hasn’t played them much, or only played them once, thinks they’re getting one game play and gets another, you know, the way that they finish games. The way those studs in front are playing – Dexter Lawrence and [Kayvon] Thibodeaux and Leonard Williams – are you kidding me? Those guys will wreck a game. Those guys will ruin someone’s playoff hopes.”

Peter Schrager on the Giants connection to Damar Hamlin | FOX Sports

As far as the NFL goes, no two teams have been as closely linked to the situation as the Bengals and Bills, of course. But the New York Giants are an organization with real ties to Hamlin, too.

Giants first-year general manager Joe Schoen was not only in the front office with the Bills last year, but he was one of the key voices in the Bills’ draft room the day Hamlin was drafted in 2021. Schoen and current Bills GM Brandon Beane were as aligned as any GM and deputy, and the selection of Hamlin was one met with long-term plans. He’d learn from Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, and when the time was right, he’d get his snaps.

Adoree’ Jackson wants back on field for Giants’ finale | New York Post

“The main important thing is going through this week and getting myself prepared and doing all the things I need, not for myself, for the coaches and the training staff to make a decision about me and about this game,’’ Jackson said.

NFL free agency 2023: Early look at top 50 free agents | CBSSports.com

New York Giants that make the list are RB Saquon Barkley at 2, and QB Daniel Jones at 14. Former Giants mentioned include CB James Bradberry (4), QB Geno Smith (10), TE Evan Engram (21), and DT Dalvin Tomlinson (37).

Reasons Why Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll Should Be Coach of the Year | Sports Illustrated

Getting back to Daboll, he’s been the very picture of consistency and modesty–and no, that latter image is not an act. It’s who he is. Tom Coughlin, the last Giants head coach to win a pair of Super Bowl championships for this team, always used to say it was the players who won games and the coaches–or more specifically himself–who lost games.

Daboll has taken on the same philosophy. He’s been all about building guys up rather than tearing them down. And the results, which speak for themselves (even though Daboll would probably argue that there is still a lot of work to be done), are why Daboll should be the clear choice for Coach of the Year.

Giants year-end awards: Best out-of-nowhere player, breakout star, redemption story | The Athletic

Best sideline energy: Sterling Shepard. After Shepard tore his ACL, the wide receiver decided to stick around the team to help mentor the younger receivers. But his presence has just been a positive for all. He’s almost always at practices, throwing balls and assisting. But one of his most public contributions might be his sideline presence during games. He’s hard to miss as he runs between teammates, jumps on the bench waving a towel and is always near the action. He’s the first to congratulate a teammate after a big play, and his energy is unmatched as the Giants’ biggest cheerleader.

Gates and Jones reflect on their journey together

Wholesome pic.twitter.com/7tbMnHAIhM

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 4, 2023

2023 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid’s early first-round predictions for 31 picks | ESPN.com

Four franchise signal-callers off the board early? Six Day 1 cornerbacks? As we get ready for the final week of the NFL season, Jordan Reid projects all 31 first-round picks of April’s draft.

At No. 22, general manager Joe Schoen is projected to pick USC wide receiver Jordan Addison. Addison is a smooth and nuanced route runner, and his ability to play both outside and in the slot helps a team clearly lacking talent at the position.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Giants draft a DB | CBSSports.com

New York needs man coverage cornerbacks to run Wink Martindale’s scheme so that is why Alabama DB Eli Ricks may be taken a bit higher than many expected.

This week’s opponent

Jalen Hurts needs to put an end to the Eagles struggles | Bleeding Green Nation

Where exactly it slipped away no longer matters. But somewhere along the way the Eagles lost their groove. Their vibes are bad. Their mojo is gone. However you want to describe it, the it factor that ran through the team is missing.

Suddenly, the Eagles are tripping all over themselves. 8 turnovers in their last 3 games. 21 points per game in that span. Coaches that can’t get out of their own way. Players talking about fixing it and then going on the field and not fixing it.

What felt near unstoppable now feels off in nearly every way. They have one game to get it right. They have to get it right. And, aside from major injuries, there is no excuse if they don’t.

Eagles D, Bears O with Historic Sack Rates | Football Outsiders

The Philadelphia Eagles have the best pass rush in the NFL this year. You may not have realized how many sacks they have. Four Eagles defenders have double-digit sacks this season, led by Haason Reddick with 16. Brandon Graham, Javon Hargrave, and Josh Sweat each have 11 sacks. Fletcher Cox has added seven and Milton Williams four. Overall, the Eagles have 68 sacks on the season.

Spadaro: A Giant task at hand Sunday with so much on the line | PhiladelphiaEagles.com

“We gotta get it done,” wide receiver A.J. Brown said, sitting at his locker at the NovaCare Complex, a stern look on his face. “We gotta try to get some momentum for the playoff push. It’s not about pressure. There’s still no pressure because once you’re in, you’re in and then it’s a whole new season. We’re trying to set us up for the new season, but trying to get some momentum. Build some confidence through the week so that we have confidence on Sunday. Get rid of the mistakes, play fast, play ball.

“Me personally, I am pissed off. I want to go out and handle business the right way. I’m definitely going to go out and play with an edge and try to get my guys in the (wide receivers) room to play with the same edge.”

Around the league

Damar Hamlin begins to awaken, moving hands and feet, doctors say | ESPN.com

One of the doctors, Timothy Pritts, said Hamlin is still considered critically ill and that significant progress is needed for the 24-year-old. Hamlin’s neurological condition appears to be intact, Pritts said.

Hamlin is able to move his hands and feet, the doctors said. He is unable to speak but was able to communicate in writing, Pritts said, including asking whether the Bills won Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals — a contest that was postponed following his collapse.

“The answer is yes, Damar, you won the game of life,” Pritts said.

Davante Adams wants to ‘continue’ with Raiders | NFL.com

“But my dream was to play for this team before he was a Raider, obviously, and at this point I want to try to make this thing work and continue on doing what I’m doing here, myself get better and obviously see the team grow and get better as well.”

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Revis, Thomas, Freeney among finalists | ProFootballTalk

The 15 modern-era finalists are Defensive End Jared Allen, Offensive Tackle Willie Anderson, Cornerback/Safety Ronde Barber, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Dwight Freeney, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver Devin Hester, Wide Receiver Torry Holt, Wide Receiver Andre Johnson, Cornerback Albert Lewis, Cornerback Darrelle Revis, Offensive Tackle Joe Thomas, Linebacker Zach Thomas, Linebacker/Defensive End DeMarcus Ware, Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne, Linebacker Patrick Willis, and Safety Darren Woodson.

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