The Giants started defensive preparations for Sunday’s sport anticipating to face a right-handed pocket passer with 169 video games of NFL expertise.
As a substitute, they are going to face a left-handed rookie with higher mobility however much less institutional data gained from throwing simply 5 profession passes.
When the Falcons made a quarterback change Tuesday from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr., it meant that the Giants needed to scrap what they thought they knew and watch faculty tape of Penix at Washington and evaluation their very own draft stories.
The primary-round choose will make his first NFL begin towards the Giants.
“He can sling it,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen mentioned. “You go back and watch the accuracy throwing the ball down the field. He puts it in places receivers can catch it. We’re going to have to do a good job making sure we defend the deep part of the field because I think he’s going to take his chances launching it.”
The Giants by no means strongly thought-about utilizing their first-round choose on Penix, who surprisingly was drafted No. 8 general — two picks after they took Malik Nabers.
“You watch Washington, try to get a feel for him and see his strengths,” Bowen mentioned. “Hopefully you can find some weaknesses, which is hard to do.”
The Giants are coming off permitting six performs of 20 yards or extra to the Ravens as receivers ran open by way of their patchwork secondary.
“We can’t let guys free,” Bowen mentioned, “and have to make sure we’re deep when we need to be deep and on the right guys at the right time.”
Penix is just not a real twin menace — actually not in comparison with final week’s problem of Lamar Jackson — however that aspect can’t be ignored, both.
“If there’s space, he’s going to take off,” Bowen mentioned. “Can’t give him big rush lanes down the middle for him to take and make it inviting for him. There’s obviously a little bit more mobility than what they had there previously [with Cousins].”
5 gamers didn’t follow Thursday: LB Bobby Okereke (again), EDGE Brian Burns (ankle/neck), LB Patrick Johnson (knee), G Aaron Stinnie (concussion) and CB Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin).
Burns “should be ready to go for the game,” coach Brian Daboll mentioned.
Six gamers who have been restricted in Wednesday’s follow have been upgraded to full contributors: QB Drew Lock (heel/left elbow), WR Malik Nabers (knee/foot), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (shoulder), TE Chris Manhertz (ankle), DL Cory Durden (shoulder) and S Dane Belton (knee).
Eight gamers stay restricted: QB Tommy DeVito (concussion), RB Tyrone Tracy (ankle), C John Michael Schmitz (ankle), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), CB Tae Banks (rib), CB Cor’Dale Flott (quad/finger), CB Dru Phillips (shoulder) and CB Artwork Inexperienced (shoulder).
Daboll mentioned that DeVito is “moving right along (through the protocol) and should be available.”
The Giants tried a brand new kick returner final week, utilizing just lately acquired CB Dee Williams instead of fumble-prone Eric Grey as the choice subsequent to Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The undrafted rookie had one 23-yard return and is predicted to carry on to the spot Sunday.
“Just want to give a younger player in this league, who’s shown a skill set to do it, an opportunity,” particular groups coordinator Michael Ghobrial mentioned. “He definitely has the right skill set to do it — a lot of juice, speed, elusiveness.”
