The New York Giants are usually guarded in their public remarks about players, especially when it comes to criticism. That is why it was shocking to read a comment from a “Giants staffer”shredding third-year cornerback Deonte Banks.
“Does the player even feel responsible for people losing their jobs?” the Giants staffer asked. “A lot of people got burned by him. The kid really needs to grow up.”
Veteran defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, who admitted last year that he went to bat for Banks before the Giants traded up to select him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and then broke ranks by being publicly critical of the player, was fired at season’s end.
Banks tenure as a Giant has not worked out the way it was hoped when then-defensive coordinator Wink Martindale nearly broke Joe Schoen with a hug after the GM successfully traded up in the draft to get the former Maryland cornerback.
Banks was OK as a rookie, with two interceptions, 11 passes defensed and a passer rating against of 79.6 in 15 games and starts as a rookie. Asked to take on the role of CB1 in 2024, Banks imploded.
In 14 games and starts, Banks had zero interceptions, 12 passes defensed, a completion percentage against of 70.3 and a passer rating against of 124.2.
More critical were the issues with effort displayed by Banks throughout the season.
Banks was criticized for lack of hustle on a 55-yard touchdown reception by CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 last year.
“Didn’t like it. Liked nothing about it,” Henderson said at the time. “When your man catches the ball, you have [to] break your legs, figuratively, to get him on the ground. And I thought there was room to do more. We expect that from him and he expects that from himself but in that moment he failed.”
In Week 7, Banks wad criticized for pulling up rather than trying to tackle scrambling Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Banks was benched halfway through the Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
After the season, defensive backs coaches Henderson and Mike Treier were replaced by Marquand Manuel and Jeff Burris.
Banks has been competing with Cor’Dale Flott for a starting role. It isn’t clear who has won that job.
What is clear, though, is that Banks has yet to justify the Giants decision not only to draft him in 2023, but to trade up one spot to do so.
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