Ghobrial indicates there is still much to learn about new kickoff setup
There are still a lot of variables for coaches and players to learn about the new NFL kickoff rule. New York Giants special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial has, though, learned one thing.
“It hits pretty damn quick,” Ghobrial said. “Speed is always a huge attribute of any returner. A returner that can eat up grass initially with good catch mechanics, catching it forward, that can get to that initial line of defense has the best chance of actually having an explosive return in this league.
“I think at the end of the day, any player that has the ability to make smart decisions with the football and can eat up grass is going to have a chance to have success in that specific play.”
In the redesigned kickoff, 10 defenders are at the receiving team’s 40-yard line, with blockers aligned at the 35-yard line.
Ghobrial would not commit to who the Giants will use on kickoff return, saying that will be “game plan specific.”
Ghobrial knows that teams probably did not show everything during the preseason in regards to how they will approach blocking for the new rule, kicking the ball, or covering the kickoffs. He said the Giants played the play close to the vest.
“There’s balance to it because it was a new rule. It still is a new rule, so you wanted to be able to gather useful information. You did’t want to necessarily just go out there and say, ‘we’re going to be very vanilla the whole preseason’ and not actually get good at potentially stuff that you want to do,” he said. “But at the same time, yes, you are keeping some stuff close to the vest there. I felt like we did a good job, and our players did a great job in terms of just owning the fundamentals and the technique, which I feel if you can do that in this play, you have a chance.”
Here are more takeaways from Ghobrial’s Wednesday media availability.
Adoree’ the punt returner?
Gunner Olszewski is the Giants’ primary punt returner. His groin injury, though, might lead to Adoree’ Jackson having to return punts against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I’ll never close the door on getting the ball in the playmaker’s hands,” Ghobrial said. “He’s dynamic with the ball in his hand. I do know that.”
Jackson has a career average of 8.4 yards returning punts. He averaged just 1.3 yards on three returns for the Giants in 2022, and suffered a knee injury that cost him seven games.
Does Graham Gano still have it?
Veteran placekicker Graham Gano is returning from knee surgery. Now having suffered two serious leg injuries, it is fair to wonder if the 37-year-old still has the leg strength that has made him the best long-distance placekicker in franchise history.
“I’ve seen Graham, the Graham Gano that wins football games in this league,” Ghobrial said. “I’m really excited to see him put pen to paper. He is a proven kicker in this league and I’m fully confident in his ability to go make kicks at any distance.”
Bryce Ford-Wheaton’s potential
Ford-Wheaton made the 53-man roster over Miles Boykin, Allen Robinson, and Isaiah Hodgins. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Ford-Wheaton missed last season due to a torn ACL, but has immense potential on special teams.
“I love Bryce Ford-Wheaton, by the way. He’s wired the right way. I think it starts with the mentality. When the mentality is right, the rest of it comes into play,” Ghobrial said. “Obviously, as a receiver, he has a natural feel for being able to get people off the spot. He’s a really good catcher. He gives that possession position flexibility in terms of that. Anybody that’s a receiver that’s out there, you’ve got to obviously regard them in terms of coverage. I think the mentality, number one, is awesome because he approaches it like he is going to go win that rep every time. Then again, the experience of him being a receiver also translates in other parts.
“So, with him being a younger player, you always question whether the experience will come to life and how quickly he can translate to play that position at a high level … To the kid’s credit, he studies his tail off. He does. He’s always there after practice working extra drills, and he truly wants to be great with whatever role that he’s given.”
