New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks had a less-than-stellar performance against the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday night.
Banks surrendered three receptions on three targets for 76 yards and one touchdown — a 55-yard catch-and-run courtesy of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who put Banks’ effort to shame.
The one where CeeDee Lamb 🔥🔥🔥’d Deonte Banks. 👀
pic.twitter.com/Gr9dStwvmG— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) September 27, 2024
“It was a bad finish by me,” Banks told reporters on Friday. “After I saw the film, I didn’t really feel it in the game. But I could have definitely finished more. I maybe could have even tackled him. But we’re passed it now.”
The lack of hustle drew the ire of long-time assistant coach Jerome Henderson, who interviewed to become Brian Daboll’s defensive coordinator during the offseason before the hiring of Shane Bowen.
The usually subdued Henderson was so frustrated by what he saw that he got loud with Banks.
“I’ve always been coachable. He don’t really do too much yelling, but I’ve been yelled at by a coach at a young age. So, I kind of learned that as a kid,” the second-year corner said.
Henderson didn’t coddle Banks publicly, either. He wasn’t shy about sharing his thoughts with reporters before the team’s final practice of Week 5.
“Didn’t like it,” Henderson said, via the New York Post. “Liked nothing about it.
“When your man catches a ball, you have to break your legs — not literally, but figuratively — to get him on the ground. I thought there was room to do more. We expect it from him and he expects it from himself, but in that moment he failed.”
Rookie safety Tyler Nubin also took a bad angle to the ball carrier and the play ended up going for 33 yards over expected, per NextGen Stats. It was seven points that shouldn’t have been on the board.
The Giants lost, 20-15.
“I expect more from myself. So, it is what it is. It’s coaching,” Banks said.
Things get no easier for Banks this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks when he’s slated to go up against the much more physical DK Metcalf. Any lack of effort will be exposed, so expect Banks to come in motivated to right his wrong.
