New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is stoked about his unit as the 2023 NFL regular season descends upon us this weekend.
Martindale has been gifted with a new inside linebacker in Bobby Okereke but it’s two other players that have him excited this year — rookie cornerback Deonte Banks and linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
Banks, the Giants’ first-round selection in this year’s NFL draft, is a player that Martindale says “just loves to compete,” and loves the defensive scheme and his defense.
Martindale also said Banks is making the transition from college star to NFL life quite seamlessly.
Martindale said Deonte Banks is “ahead of schedule” because of his confidence, maturity, and skill set.
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) September 6, 2023
The Giants traded a seventh-round pick for Simmons, who was a top-10 pick by the Arizona Cardinals a few years ago. Martindale sees Simmons fitting in nicely with the Giants.
The Cardinals had a hard time finding the right role for Simmons but Martindale said that would not be a problem in his ‘position-less’ defensive scheme.
"We've had success with really good football players, and I think he's a really good football player"
Wink Martindale on getting the most out of Isaiah Simmons: pic.twitter.com/1g4YU5tOUW
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) September 6, 2023
If the Giants are to have success on defense this season, both Banks and Simmons will have to play well in their respective roles.
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