Giants coordinators hold weekly media availabilities
New York Giants coordinators addressed a wide variety of topics, including Jalin Hyatt, kicker injuries, lack of turnovers created, and more during their Thursday media sessions. Here are some of the takeaways.
Hey, Jude
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial was “fired up” for rookie placekicker’s Jude McAtamney’s NFL debut last Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
McAtamney, elevated to kick after substitute placekicker Greg Joseph went on IR with an oblique injury, made an extra point and a 31-yard field goal.
“Awesome, man. I was fired up for him,” Ghobrial said. “A guy that you bring in, and then you as a group start to see the maturation. Both as a person understanding the business and then also as a player. Being very convicted in himself of understanding that he belongs in this league, but also having the courage to adapt some things and learn from some veterans to where when he does get his opportunity, he gets to take advantage of that. So, to see Jude get his opportunity was awesome, number one. To see him excel in it was another thing, knowing that he was ready. He had a lot of confidence going into the game. And I thought he did a nice job for us.”
McAtamney will travel to Germany with the team for Sunday’s game against Carolina. He won’t kick unless regular placekicker Graham Gano, who is expected to be activated off injured reserve after missing seven games with a hamstring injury, suffers a setback.
Bad things come in 3s
Gano, Joseph and punter Jamie Gillan have all suffered injuries this year. Joseph and Gillan were injured in practice. Ghobrial didn’t have an explanation.
“Honestly, unfortunate. Nothing extreme with the workload,” Ghobrial said. “You’re always going to evaluate when you see just a culmination of injuries like that pile up. So, you look at the workload, you look at what you’re asking them to do, spacing between games and all that, and it was nothing out of the norm from a general NFL year and a general volume of kicks that they normally take on.”
Those missing takeaways
The Giants have only one interception. That was off a tipped pass in Week 1 and was by rookie linebacker Darius Muasau. They don’t have an interception from a defensive back, and have gone a franchise record eight games without one.
What gives?
“It starts with making sure we stop the run. We got to get them in some passing situations. Get in some favorable situations for us where we can rush, we can cover. Play with vision, affect the quarterback,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “Continue to make the plays that are there. Hopefully get some balls tipped in the air that we can catch. Just got to create those opportunities for ourselves and when they present themselves, we got to be able to make them.”
The Giants lead the league in sacks. Bowen would like to see his pass rushers separate the ball from the quarterback more often, as well.
“I would say a big emphasis for me is we’re back there on the quarterback and we don’t get the ball off him. Quarterbacks are the number one fumblers in the NFL. So, there’s got to be an emphasis. If we’re able to get back there and we’re able to get to him, let’s try to attack the football,” Bowen said. “Strip sack is a sack just the same. So, I would say that’s a major point of emphasis.
“You would think if you’re able to affect. But again, those quarterbacks, if you’re getting the sack numbers, they’re not putting it up in the air either. So hopefully we can take advantage of those times where we’re able to get some pressure, get them off the spot, make them uncomfortable back there. If there are opportunities that aren’t great throws, we can take advantage of them.”
Jalin Hyatt’s opportunity
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said he wouldn’t call Jalin Hyatt’s thus far disappointing season (one catch for 6 yards) a step back for the 2023 third-round pick.
“I think Jalin has taken advantage of all his opportunities,” Kafka said. “He’s working his tail off in practice. He’s working on the fundamental, those things that we talked about in the offseason and through training camp. He’s taking that opportunity and that time right now to work on it. So, when his time’s called, whenever that may be, he’ll be ready. He’ll be prepared because that’s what he’s been working to do.”
Why has Hyatt, who showed promise in 2023, struggled?
“I think just opportunities. I don’t think he’s had enough opportunities to do it,” Kafka said. “Any week could present those, whether more or less. When they show up, I’m confident that Jalin (Hyatt) will be able to make those plays.”
Hyatt should receive plenty of playing time Sunday with Darius Slayton (concussion) to traveling to Germany with the team.
