Seriously?
It would seem obvious that veteran Greg Joseph, signed this week to replace the injured Graham Gano, would be the New York Giants’ placekicker Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial, though, opened the door on Thursday for rookie Jude McAtamney to be elevated from the practice squad to handle that job.
“It’s going to be good competition,” Ghobrial said.
Still, it would be a major upset — and probably another personnel decision that would leave the Giants open to criticism — should McAtamney be the choice and ultimately fail on Sunday.
Ghobrial also defended the decision not to have McAtamney available vs. the Washington Commanders with Gano on the injury report with a groin issue.
“We had ultimate confidence in him (Gano) to be able to kick kicks and he did a good job. He hit a 58-yarder in pregame. He looked good,” Ghobrial said.
‘Demoralizing’ missed opportunities
One of the under-the-radar issues with the Giants defense over the first two games has been giving up too many first downs on third-and-long situations. Some of that has been via penalty, and some via not being able to make a play when an opportunity has been present.
I asked linebacker Micah McFadden about that this week:
“When you do give up a third-and-13 or you give up third-and-10, those longer situations where you feel like you have them on their heels and we can make a play, those are a little bit more demoralizing than that midrange or the short yardage third down,” McFadden said.
Too much Malik?
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was targeted 18 times in Week 2 against Washington. That has led some to wonder if the Giants are going to become overly reliant on the No. 6 overall pick.
“I think just every week is going to be different,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said on Thursday. “You look at the defense they present, you look at the matchups and you try to put your best players in the positions to be successful. So, within the game, that could change. And certainly, you go in thinking one thing, they want to play a bunch of man or a bunch of zone. They switch, we have to make sure we go and adjust. And then it’s about putting those guys in positions.
“So, whether that’s the same or not this week or in the future, I don’t know. You have to see how the game declares itself. But I think you always want to put your best player, your best scheme, or your best players in those spots so that they can be successful.”
Thursday injury report
Did not practice
CB Nick McCloud (knee)
LB Isaiah Simmons (not injury related – personal)
Limited participation
LB Darius Muasau (knee)
LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder)
