The New York Giants came into training camp excited to see what their young secondary is made of. After a joint practice with the New York Jets this week, they should be realizing they might be in for a rough ride.
The Jets torched the Giants in both short and deep drills to the degree that members of the Giants’ beat pool had to call out the carnage.
This is by far the worst practice I think the giants secondary has had. They’re getting beat deep left and right.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) August 21, 2024
This is obviously just one example, and we’re not allowed to shoot any more video, but …
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ offense vs. the Giants’ secondary has not exactly been a fair fight in this joint practice so far. https://t.co/wmiuYXRCQ2
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 21, 2024
The Giants, who were visiting the Jets in Florham Park for the one-day joint practice, had no answers for the Jets’ pitch-catch tandem of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The Giants’ starting cornerback duo of Deonte Banks and Nick McCloud were beaten early and often.
From Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic:
With the crowd loving the moment and chanting Wilson’s name, Rodgers imitated putting a crown on Wilson’s head. Rodgers finished 16-of-22 in 11-on-11 periods.
Wilson torched the Giants secondary, including one play where he was so open that it was difficult to tell which Giants defender was supposed to be covering him. Coverage on Wilson varied between Deonte Banks and McCloud, but Wilson found success regardless.
With Flott sidelined, McCloud has taken first-team corner reps opposite Banks. But after getting burned by Wilson, the Giants put in Tre Hawkins for the final two-minute drill period. Banks was targeted repeatedly on the drive, but on the final play of the drill, Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard beat Hawkins for a touchdown.
The Flott that Carroll is referring to is Cor’Dale Flott, who the Giants were hoping would take over the outside corner role across from Banks. Instead, he’s been hobbled by a quad issue and McCloud is stepping into the role. Hawkins, who flashed last year, is in the mix but hasn’t done enough for the Giants to trust him again.
The Giants drafted two players they hope will step up and become solid pros in slot corner Dru Phillips and safety Tyler Nubin.
It will take time for the young group to gel. Right now, the growing pains are tough for the long-suffering Giant fans to watch.
