New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux caught a lot of flack at the beginning of the season. He left the gate with seemingly lackluster effort and subpar stats. Over the last several weeks, though, that has changed.
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who regularly defends Thibodeaux, discussed the linebacker’s progress as a pass rusher on Thursday.
“Everything. Everything. Everything from the classroom in there with Drew and studying the tackles, and he’s perfecting his moves and counters and things like that. He’s taking advantage of situations when he gets one-on-ones,” Martindale said of what Thibs has done better.
“You guys know how I feel about Kayvon. I stand up here and say it every day. I told him, hell, I feel like I’m his attorney sometimes standing up here. But I really do. I think he’s a great person. He’s becoming a leader of this defense as well. I think that his hard work is really paying off for him.”
Martindale probably does feel like Thibodeaux’s attorney during press conferences given how often he’s forced to pound the drum for him.
That kicked into high gear recently thanks to personal attacks from a pair of WFAN co-hosts, which led to a spat with Giants legend Carl Banks, who ultimately resigned from his weekly spot on the flagship’s midday show.
Through eight games this season, Thibodeaux has already eclipsed his rookie sacks total (4.0) with 8.5 and is on pace to set personal bests in nearly every other statistical category.
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