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USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where do New York Giants' linebackers rank among NFL's 32 teams?
The New York Giants' defensive front seven is ranked among the best in the league, as are their outside linebackers. It's on the inside at linebacker where there are still questions for many. The unit as a whole is being ranked in the middle of the pack by Pro Football Focus, which placed them 19th in the NFL heading into the 2025 season. New York's linebackers should have plenty of space to work with behind their potentially stellar defensive line. The headliner is veteran Bobby Okereke, whose 81.3 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons ranks 10th among qualified linebackers. Micah McFadden struggles a bit in coverage but has posted at least a 66.0 PFF run-defense grade in each of the past two years. Darius Muasau also recorded a solid 68.1 PFF run-defense grade as a rookie last season and would likely be the next man up if anything happened to Okereke or McFadden. Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden both missed games due to injury in 2024. Okereke suffered a herniated disc that shelved him for the Giants' final five games. He still finished third on the team in total tackles with six for a loss and 2.0 sacks. McFadden missed three games but still led the Giants in total tackles with 107. Both he and Okereke should be 100 percent for the start of training camp in late July. The rookie, Darius Muasau, played in 15 games, starting seven in 2024. He played admirably with 55 total tackles, three for a loss, and had an interception. What's important to note here is the switch in defensive coordinator last season from Wink Martindale to Shane Bowen. Martindale had a blitz-centric philosophy, whereas Bowen does not. The adjustment period should be over in regards to that, and the inside linebackers should have a better grasp of the defense in year two.
New York Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Three ways new Giants defense may look different: More takeaways, better tackling
After hearing what New York Giants co-owner John Mara had to say about the team's defense at the end of last season — 'I'm tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us' — it wasn't a big surprise that a major offseason focus for the front office was overhauling the unit. The Giants invested heavily in upgrades in both free agency and the NFL Draft in the hopes that improved personnel would help defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in his second year on the job. Bowen, who also let go of two secondary coaches at the beginning of the offseason to kick-start the defensive makeover, knows he's under pressure to deliver drastic improvement after his unit finished 21st in points allowed last season. Advertisement While it won't be easy, there are a few reasons to be optimistic about a resurgence from the Giants' defense. Let's examine a few of the ways this unit should look different in 2025: The Giants haven't just overhauled their defense; they're fostering a youth movement. A vast majority of players in key roles for the defense this year will be 27 years old or younger when the season starts. Only inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (28), defensive linemen Roy Robertson-Harris (32) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (32) are older. The young players will need to deliver on their promise, but they should be exciting for Giants fans, who can watch this side of the ball grow together. Let's put a quick spotlight on the secondary, which underwent the most dramatic overhaul these past two seasons. Four of the Giants' five presumed starters (cornerback Paulson Adebo, nickel Dru Phillips and safeties Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin) were either draft picks in 2024 or joined in free agency this offseason. Deonte Banks, who the Giants drafted in 2023, will likely serve as the other starting outside cornerback next to Adebo, though he'll need to beat out Cor'Dale Flott (a 2022 draft pick) for the job. Regardless of who wins, Adebo will easily be the oldest member of the starting secondary, and he's just 26. However, Adebo does have five years of NFL experience under his belt, and he'll need to take on a leadership role within the young unit. 'I think he's been an asset in (that room), just the experience, the knowledge,' Bowen said of Adebo. 'Coming in, we have high expectations for him, and part of that was the leadership role. We're expecting him to come in here and take on that role and thrive in that role and hopefully continue to help us to develop some of these younger guys.' If Adebo can indeed help coax the best out of players like Banks, Flott and Phillips, he'll be worth every cent of the $54 million New York gave him this offseason. Something similar could be true for Burns and Thibodeaux as they help Abdul Carter, this year's No. 3 overall pick, acclimate to the NFL. 'When you look at our youth, that is our nucleus,' assistant general manager Brandon Brown said. '(But finding) guys who can help supplement, not just from an age and leadership standpoint but a versatility and skill set standpoint, was really important for us.' Despite the Giants having one of the worst overall run defenses in the league (27th in rushing yards allowed and 24th in yards per carry allowed), it was the secondary that saw major upgrades this offseason. If that seems somewhat backwards to you, that's understandable. But make no mistake, the Giants know they have a lot of room to improve in terms of stopping the run, particularly when it comes to limiting big plays. While the Giants finished fourth in the NFL in the percentage of opponents' runs that went for zero or negative yards (22.5 percent), according to TruMedia, they also allowed the second-most runs (19) that went for 20-plus yards. Advertisement A major reason for that is missed tackles. According to Next Gen Stats, the Giants were one of six teams to surrender more than 1,000 yards after missed tackles last season. 'There were a lot of good snaps in there in the run game, and then we had way too many explosives,' said Bowen. 'It's finding a way, and it goes back to tackling — it takes all 11 every snap. But making sure some of those runs that they might crease us and get through the line of scrimmage, let's see if we can limit those to 10 to 12 yards instead of the 40-yarders that showed up last year, right?' The upgrades in the secondary should theoretically help, as Holland (six missed tackles in 2024, according to Pro Football Reference) replaces former starter Jason Pinnock (nine), but the Giants also simply need better play from their linebackers. McFadden led the team with 15 missed tackles, while Okereke was third with eight. Those two upping their games as the rest of the young defense grows around them should help the Giants take a step forward when it comes to stopping the run. After a season in which the Giants finished 28th in takeaways with just 15, turnovers were unsurprisingly a huge focal point this spring. Bowen, inspired by his son's T-ball team name, the Pirates, implemented a 'turnover chest' to celebrate takeaways throughout OTAs. 'We've got to get better at takeaways,' Bowen said. 'Somehow got the idea of piracy, violent, attacking to steal possessions or goods, right? You'll hear our guys say it. I say it ad nauseam: 'Be a damn pirate.' We've got to find ways to get the ball. And, again, you get what you emphasize. We're making it a priority this year to make sure we find ways to get the ball.' Adebo is a fan: 'I'm happy and excited to try to get a lot of turnovers, and hopefully I can put a lot of balls in (the chest).' Advertisement And the new addition to the cornerback room, along with the new safety, should help in that regard. Adebo has 10 interceptions in his career, including three in just seven games last year. Holland has tallied five interceptions, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in his four NFL seasons. If Carter's addition boosts the pass rush the way the Giants think it might, that could go a long way in helping create more opportunities for turnovers. Not only will Carter and company look to rack up strip-sacks, but the pass rush should force plenty of errant throws for the secondary to capitalize on. (Photo of Brian Daboll and Abdul Carter: Dan Mullan / Getty Images)
Reuters
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Russell Wilson praises Giants' 'amazing' camaraderie
June 17 - Preparing for his first season with the New York Giants and his 14th in the NFL, starting quarterback Russell Wilson is enthused about the team's daily improvement in all facets of the game at this week's minicamp. Wilson, who signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract in April with the potential to earn an additional $10 million in incentives, listed inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and outside linebacker Brian Burns, along with center John Michael Schmitz, guard Greg Van Roten and wide receivers Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson, among the group of players who have stood out. "I just think that we're just on this constant growth of trajectory and we've got to stay there," Wilson said. "I think that we've grown so much every day. The team, the team, the team, the team. I think we just have gotten better and better every day. "Offense, defense, special teams. I think our camaraderie has been amazing. It's always cool ... and it's fun to be able to see guys who are young, staying extra, doing the extra necessary things." Wilson, who went 6-5 as a starter in 2024 during his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, also lauded the Giants' coaching staff and the joy he has felt since joining the organization. "I think if I had to describe it, just the joy to be able to do what I love to do, number one -- and number two, to do it with the people that you really want to be around," the 10-time Pro Bowl selection said. "I think the coaching staff is tremendous. I think their ability to teach every day -- I think what makes a great coach is the ability to teach, to be able to teach young guys, to be able to teach veterans to be able to constantly learn. I think being on that constant quest for knowledge is such a necessary thing and that's the part that I love the most." As for the offense, Wilson praised head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for the work they've put in this spring after New York's offense ranked 30th in total yards (294.8) and 31st in points (16.1 ppg) last season. Wilson was brought in this season after the quartet of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle combined for just 15 touchdown passes along with 13 interceptions. The team's 77.8 passer-efficiency rating ranked last in the NFC. "I think that we've been stacking great days and just seeing guys really shine is a really cool thing," Wilson said of the offense. ... "Like I said, teaching and when you put it on, you get to do the walkthroughs and do the film and all the notes and all the things you do to try to be great and then you take it out to the field, that's what you want to see. That's what you want to feel. And I think that we're definitely feeling that." The Giants drafted quarterback Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 pick in the first round, but the starting job is Wilson's entering the summer. The team brought in veteran Jameis Winston to serve as a backup and DeVito remains on the roster to provide more depth. "I think you're always just trying to prove yourself right," said Wilson, who has 350 touchdown passes in 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2012-21), Denver Broncos (2022-23) and Steelers. "I know what I'm capable of every day. I never lack confidence." --Field Level Media
New York Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Giants OTA takeaways: No battle between Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart; Abdul Carter a ‘beast'
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The heavy lifting of the New York Giants' offseason program wrapped up Tuesday. The team will take the field for what figures to be a light practice Wednesday to conclude a two-day minicamp. The team will then disperse for a five-week break before reporting to training camp in late July. Advertisement Here's a report on everything that happened in Tuesday's minicamp practice: RB Eric Gray, WR Zach Pascal, LT Andrew Thomas, OLB Victor Dimukeje, ILB Bobby Okereke, ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and S Anthony Johnson weren't spotted at practice. Thomas (foot/ankle), Dimukeje (pec) and Johnson (shoulder) are rehabilitating documented injuries. Daboll said every player was in the building for the mandatory minicamp, so that means Gray, Pascal, Okereke and Flannigan-Fowles were likely absent due to undisclosed injuries. WR Jalin Hyatt, who has produced a strong offseason, left practice early with an apparent hamstring injury. Hyatt went to the sideline during individual drills and had his left leg stretched by a trainer. Hyatt then spoke to Daboll and didn't return to practice. It's safe to assume the next time Hyatt will practice will be at training camp. RB Cam Skattebo, WR Malik Nabers, TE Chris Manhertz and DL Darius Alexander didn't participate in practice. Skattebo and Alexander have done very little in practice since the draft. Manhertz worked on the side with a trainer. As has been the case all spring, Nabers walked onto the field about an hour into practice. Nabers, who is dealing with a lingering toe injury, lined up with the second-team offense during a walk-through period and listened into the huddle during a live team period. Any thought of a quarterback competition entering the spring has been put to rest. Russell Wilson took every first-team rep during Tuesday's practice. That was also the case in last week's open OTA practice. Wilson completed 9-of-14 attempts in Tuesday's practice. He mostly tallied short completions, although his best throws continued to be deep toward the sideline. He throws a pretty fade in the red zone, connecting Tuesday with tight end Theo Johnson over safety Tyler Nubin for a touchdown. Advertisement Wilson delivered a strike to tight end Daniel Bellinger for a big gain on a corner route in a marathon period late in practice. The first-team offense ran 12 plays in the unscripted period and moved the ball well until later in the drive when it stalled with three straight incompletions, featuring slot cornerback Nic Jones breaking up a slant to wide receiver Beaux Collins on the final play. Rookie Jaxson Dart took the majority of second-team reps. Dart was held out of the first 11-on-11 period, with Jameis Winston working with the No. 2 offense. Dart worked with the second team for the rest of practice. Dart was sharp, completing 8-of-11 passes. The first-round pick finished strong, completing 7-of-8 passes during the final unscripted period. Dart's lone incompletion in the period was an overthrown post to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey after holding the ball and going through his progressions. Dart mostly completed short passes on the drive before nailing undrafted rookie wide receiver Dalen Cambre with a well-placed fade for a touchdown. After his cameo with the second-team offense early in practice, Winston worked with the third-stringers. Winston is the most erratic of the quarterbacks, with overthrows a recurrent issue. Tommy DeVito got one period with the third-team offense early in practice. His first two reps were blown dead as sacks before he completed an out to wide receiver Montrell Washington. That was the only pass DeVito threw during practice. Jaxson Dart on the run to Lil'Jordan Humphrey! — Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 17, 2025 • Evan Neal had worked exclusively at left guard during OTA practices open to the media as he transitions inside from right tackle. Neal played left guard as a freshman at Alabama, so offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said they wanted to maintain some familiarity for the 2022 first-round pick. However, Neal took reps Tuesday at both guard spots. Neal played right guard when starter Jon Runyan was at left guard early in practice. Neal then shifted back to left guard with Jake Kubas at right guard late in practice. Advertisement The Giants continued to manage the workload of 35-year-old Greg Van Roten, who remained the first-team right guard in walk-through periods. Van Roten interestingly took a couple of first-team reps at center with the starters early in practice. John Michael Schmitz has been the center for every other first-team rep this spring. • Rookie Marcus Mbow had mostly worked at right tackle this spring, but he got time at left tackle with all three units on Tuesday. Mbow stepped in briefly for James Hudson, who has been the starting left tackle all spring while Thomas rehabs. After consecutive pressures from the left side, Mbow was replaced by Hudson. Mbow also was beaten cleanly around the edge by outside linebacker Tomon Fox while playing right tackle for the third-team offense. Fox registered another sack off the right edge on the next play. • Nabers' absence and Hyatt's injury opened the door for Collins. The undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame got extensive work with the starting offense, catching a touchdown on a red-zone fade from Wilson in a 7-on-7 period early in practice. Collins failed to capitalize beyond that, however, as he didn't record a catch on any of his four targets from Wilson in 11-on-11 periods. Collins would have a had a touchdown on a fade from Dart, but the 6-foot-3, 206-pounder was flagged for pushing off Jones. Russell Wilson hits Beaux Collins in the back of the end zone for a TD — Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 17, 2025 Cambre is the unheralded young receiver who continues to make the most of his opportunities. Cambre, who had 10 catches in his entire career at Louisiana, recorded a team-high five receptions Tuesday. All of those came with the second- or third-team offenses, but Cambre got some reps with the starters. Cambre made three straight catches on passes from Winston with the third-team offense. The 6-foot, 192-pounder repeatedly used his quickness to beat cornerback Art Green on out routes. • Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux described rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter as a 'beast.' It's a fitting description, as Carter once again was a constant presence in the backfield on Tuesday. Advertisement Carter beat Mbow to create a pressure on Dart with the second team and then beat starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor for a sack in the final period of practice. Carter continued to move all over the defensive front. The Giants still haven't unleashed their full complement of pass rushers, as defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence hasn't participated in any full-team drills this spring. "Man, he's a beast…excited to have another guy to add to the gauntlet" Kayvon Thibodeaux on Abdul Carter: — Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 17, 2025 • Deonte Banks and Cor'Dale Flott again rotated at the cornerback spot opposite Paulson Adebo. Notably, Flott was with the starters while Banks was with the second-stringers when the defense broke into separate groups for an install period. • The offense has operated at a high tempo all spring. That was the case again Tuesday, which was more of a game-like setting. In addition to the extended unscripted final period of practice, penalties were enforced and obvious sacks were blown dead. All of the coaches wore headsets, with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka again calling the plays via walkie talkie. • Four veterans participated in practice as tryouts: OL Carter O'Donnell, OLB Kenny Dyson, S K'Von Wallace and S Millard Bradford. Wallace is the most accomplished player among that group, playing in 71 games over five seasons with four teams. Wallace made 12 starts during the 2023 season, which was split between the Cardinals and Titans. Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was the DC in Tennessee during the 2023 season. Wallace broke up a pass from Winston to Washington on the final play of Tuesday's practice. Wallace has a shot to earn a roster spot based on the Giants' suspect safety depth. The Giants signed veteran cornerback Tre Herndon after a minicamp tryout last season. Dart's final pass of the day was his best, as he lofted a fade to the corner of the end zone that was hauled in by Cambre with rookie cornerback TJ Moore in coverage. Jaxson Dart has been "excellent" in the Giants' spring program, says Brian Daboll: "He's smart, he's aggressive with the football – which I like…he's progressed since he's been here" — Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 17, 2025 'I think I'm a consistent double-digit sack guy, and I got to do that. It's been three years, going on four now. It's been a lot of ups and downs in my career and as a team, but I think this is a team that can win, and I can help that.' — OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux The Giants will conduct their second and final minicamp practice Wednesday.
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
This player has given Patriots the most trouble since 2020, per PFF
This player has given Patriots the most trouble since 2020, per PFF Pro Football Focus released a list of the highest-graded player each NFL team has faced since 2020, and the player who has bothered the New England Patriots the most might surprise you. According to PFF, the highest-graded player to face the Patriots since 2020 is Bobby Okereke. The veteran linebacker had a monstrous game when he last faced New England with the New York Giants in 2023, recording eight tackles, one interception and two pass deflections. PFF's Dalton Wasserman broke down exactly how Okereke has made his mark against the Patriots: "Okereke has done his best work to disrupt New England's offense in the three games that he's faced them. His 92.2 PFF overall grade across those matchups is buoyed primarily by his 90.9 PFF coverage grade. One of those games in Week 9 of 2022 saw Okereke turn in a career-high 97.3 PFF overall grade after making three defensive stops and forcing a fumble." Okereke is certainly one of the more underrated players in the NFL. His ball-hawking ability and nose for the football have made him a nightmare for the Patriots in recent outings. We'll see if the Patriots can put an end to that success in primetime when they meet the Giants for a Monday Night Football clash on December 1. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
