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From Big Blue View
Other Giant observations
Inside the 10-minute meeting that put the Giants defense back on track | New York Post
The names of the legends who built the tradition of New York Giants defense are there for these current players to see overhead on the locker room wall. The names serve as a reminder of what has long been the franchise’s identity, a virtual siren call to all those who have followed and have failed more often than not to uphold the proud tradition.
“There’s a standard you play with, there’s a standard that’s bestowed upon you by being a Giant, right?” Kayvon Thibodeaux told The Post. “It’s a heavy crown to wear. But I know we’re all grateful to wear it.”
It is time for them, in Denver on Sunday, to wear it the way it was meant to be worn.
“Craziness”
After our 30-minute phone call, I texted Flair the video to get his take on the shirt rip and also that “woo!” He responded quickly: “The Wooooo is better.” Then, in fitting Flair fashion, he toasted Skattebo by adding three emojis — a wine glass, a martini and a beer mug.
Skattebo smiled when I told him about all this and showed him Flair’s emoji-filled text message. “That’s awesome,” he said. “I’d be willing to talk to him, obviously. It’s awesome that he even knows who I am.”
Why this Giants LB wants to prove he belongs with high school teammates turned Broncos stars | The Record
Brian Burns is jealous, but from a place of motivation, not negativity.
But when Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year last season, the New York Giants co-captain and standout outside linebacker looked in the mirror and found even more purpose to take his game to another level.
5 players to watch on Sunday in Denver | Giants.com
The Giants may not want to test cornerback Pat Surtain II too often, as the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is having yet another dominant season as one of the league’s top players. However, Denver’s other outside cornerback, Riley Moss, has struggled this year with 18 receptions allowed for 270 yards and two touchdowns, according to PFF. Ja’Quan McMillan, the Broncos’ slot corner, has had more success than Moss with 14 receptions allowed for 127 yards and a passer rating against of 86.9.
While he has lined up outside on around 25 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, Wan’Dale Robinson has primarily played in the slot, meaning he could be seeing plenty of McMillan on Sunday. With the Broncos playing the highest rate of man coverage in the NFL, Robinson will have to take advantage of the snaps where he isn’t matched up against Surtain in coverage.
Mike Kafka on the importance of Russell Wilson in the quarterback room
What’s Trending in the NFL: Truths we knew before the season that have manifested themselves | The Athletic
Truths we already knew before the season began. 5. Russell Wilson won’t last long as New York Giants’ starter: The clock on Wilson started ticking when the Giants traded back into the first round of the NFL Draft and selected Jaxson Dart at No. 25. The ticks got louder when Wilson couldn’t even get a firm vote of confidence as the starter following the team’s 21-6 Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders. Nowadays, first-round quarterbacks don’t often have the luxury of sitting back on the depth chart and learning for a year or two. The Giants came into the season with a head coach on the hot seat. Turning to Dart was always going to be Brian Daboll’s final lifeline, and you can see how desperately he’s relying on that, rules be damned.
Jaxson Dart’s early success in vital area already transforming Giants | New York Post
The first possession in each of Dart’s first three career starts has resulted in a touchdown, on drives of nine plays for 89 yards against the Chargers, eight plays for 59 yards against the Saints, and six plays for 54 yards against the Eagles. In total, the Giants are 4-for-4 converting third downs on those drives.
Not only is it the first time since 2009 that the Giants have scored touchdowns on their opening drive in three straight games, but Dart is taking the franchise back to a time before Phil Simms’ rookie season. The last time that the Giants scored touchdowns on both of their first two drives in back-to-back games — as was the case against the Saints and Eagles — was 1978, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“Dane is playing at a Pro Bowl level”
New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart embraces Broncos pass rush as ultimate rookie test | USAToday.com
“Obviously, the sacks stand out as the first thing and their ability to rush the passer at every down,” Dart told reporters on Wednesday, praising their cohesion and coaching. “They’re just coached really well, and they play really well together. They play really hard. It’s going to be a really good test for us, one that I think that we’re all excited for just because, in my mind, I see them as one of the best defenses in the entire league. So, being able to just go out and compete, yeah, they do a lot of really good things.”
This week’s opponent
Broncos player disses Jaxson Dart: ‘He’s feeling himself a little bit’ | NJ.com
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon CooperDenver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper began his response by talking about Dart’s antics on the field and the celebrations he has shown since taking over the starting job.
“He’s a young guy and he’s feeling himself a little bit,” Cooper said. “He’s out there running around, he’s got the chain on, and he’s dancing. I feel like everybody needs something. We have gone against quarterbacks who have ran around in the pocket and have tried to do stuff with their legs, so this isn’t something we have not seen. You have to make him feel uncomfortable in the pocket. You can’t let him get that confidence and that ego going, so we have to take care of that.”
Could more tempo with Bo Nix be the answer to Broncos’ offensive struggles? | The Athletic
Denver, through six games, ranks eighth in EPA (expected points added) per snap when operating without a huddle, according to TruMedia. The sample size, however, is small — just 39 plays. That’s well short of the league-leading Washington Commanders and their 217 no-huddle snaps.
Adding more tempo, of course, is not the only consideration for Denver’s offense. Finding the right offensive line combination is paramount to help ensure last week’s setback in the run game — season-low 60 yards on designed rushes — doesn’t become a pervasive problem.
Broncos vs Giants: 3 Keys to Victory | Mile High Report
3. Convert third downs. Unsurprisingly, the Broncos are near the bottom of the league in third down conversion rates. They sit 24th in the league with a conversion rate of just 36.59%. The league average is right above 40%. Against the Jets they converted just 33% of their third downs and went three-and-out on four of their 11 non-end-of-game drives.
Around the league
What’s Wrong With the Eagles? So Much That They Can’t Agree on Exactly What | FOX Sports
Micah Parsons sounds off on officiating when asked about lack of holding calls | Pro Football Talk
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward reveals what he’s looking for in the Titans’ next coach | CBSSports.com
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