What we learned from Giants’ 27-10 win over Eagles

The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10, in Week 18 and here’s some of what we learned from that game.

The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon to close out the 2023 regular season.

It was a positive finish to an otherwise dismal season that saw the Giants finish 6-11 and out of the postseason one year after they made their first trip to the playoffs in six years.

Here are three things we learned from Sunday’s Week 18 game.

Giants’ Brian Daboll laments cutdown day: ‘It sucks’

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is no fan of cutdown day, admitting it “sucks” for him after building relationships with each player.

Whether the NFL staggers training camp cuts or has a deadline for teams to trim their roster to 53 men all on the same day, it doesn’t matter. The conclusion of camp is a difficult one and something that New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll laments.

“To be completely honest, cutdown day sucks,” Daboll told reporters on Tuesday. “It really does because you develop relationships with players, you see how hard they work and to bring a player up to your office and let them know that we’re going in a different direction or they didn’t make the team, you get a lot of different reactions and I completely understand it. They’ve laid everything the have on the line and it’s a sports business but it’s a people business. If you have relationships with people, that’s not easy. It’s not easy for me.”

It will be especially difficult for Daboll here in 2023 because there is not only an abundance of talent at certain positions, but several players he’s been close with over the years are almost guaranteed to be in the crossfire.

The players aren’t immune to the emotions, either. Not only does their anxiety rise on cutdown day itself, they feel the growing pressure to perform leading up to the deadline.

“Look, they’re human, so you know that as it gets closer to a cutdown date, I’m sure some players feel that way,” Daboll said. “Again, you just try to be open and honest with everybody. The team is not cut down yet. There’s plenty of opportunities for people to show what they can do, particularly in this last game. Again, empathy goes a long way, I think.”

Teams have until 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday to reduce their respective roster to 53 players.

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Giants’ Jalin Hyatt wants to win Offensive Rookie of the Year

New York Giants WR Jalin Hyatt has set a lofty goal for himself: Winning the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

The New York Giants third-round selection in this year’s draft, Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, is setting lofty goals for himself in his first year in the NFL.

Thus far in camp, Hyatt has been very impressive. Impressive to the point where he’s opening eyes and setting records for speed that has not been seen in the league in many years.

“I always set high goals for myself,” Hyatt said on Thursday after another super showing on the practice field.

“A high goal is I want to be Offensive Rookie of the Year. I think that’s the biggest thing I want to do. But we’re going to get there. It’s going to be day by day, we’re going to stack days, and even if it’s a good day or a bad day, we’re going to learn from it and get better.”

If Hyatt can pull off winning the OROY, he’ll be the third Giant in past decade to receive the award. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and running back Saquon Barkley (2018) are the others.

Hyatt is not short on confidence, however. He believes in his ability.

“I think I can do everything,” he said. “I want to be a complete receiver. I think that’s the biggest thing for me, and that’s going to be day by day. Just getting more comfortable as far as in the league and how defenders are and how they cover; everything is more in tight space, so just getting open quicker. But that’s what I want to show, that I’m a complete receiver.”

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Giants OC Mike Kafka talks Northwestern, Daniel Jones’ development, rookies

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka spoke on a number of topics on Thursday, including Northwestern and quarterback Daniel Jones’ development.

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was a hot name on the NFL head-coaching carousel this past winter, as he was interviewed — and seriously considered — by as many as five teams.

Kafka did not land any of the open jobs and returned to the Giants with a little more juice as he heads into his second season running the offense for head coach Brian Daboll.

One job opening that could intrigue Kafka going forward is the one at his college alma mater, Northwestern, where head coach Pat Fitzgerald was recently fired after 17 seasons following a hazing scandal.

Kafka, a quarterback, both played and coached under Fitzgerald at Northwestern.

He opened his presser at Giants’ training camp on Thursday morning with some remarks about NU and Fitzgerald, while noting he’s “just focused on today” when asked about the head-coach vacancy there.

Of course, Kafka had to field questions regarding the development of quarterback Daniel Jones, who is entering Year 2 in the offense. He said Jones is now able to “problem-solve faster.”

Kafka also said he and Giants defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale, work together to try to make each unit better during drills.

In addition, Kakfa had positive things to say about several young players, including wide receivers Isaiah Hodgins and rookie Jalin Hyatt, and his rookie center, John Michael Schmitz, who Martindale is sending the kitchen sink at in practices.

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5 standouts from Giants’ first week of training camp

A look at five New York Giants who stood out during the first week of training camp.

The New York Giants have completed their first week of training camp and things have been relatively quiet.

As things go for the Giants, that’s always a positive. That means no injuries, no controversy and lots of harmony.

There has been some news, however, in the way of standout players. Here’s five players who have impressed thus far.

Giants players excited for Azeez Ojulari ahead of third season

“If you can get him 17 games, who knows how many sacks you’ll get,” Kayvon Thibodeaux said of fellow New York Giants edge rusher Azeez Ojulari.

When the New York Giants selected Georgia outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari No. 50 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, many experts felt they got a steal with someone who they believed was a first-round talent — and, maybe they are right.

Unfortunately, after a promising rookie season where Ojulari set a new Giants franchise rookie record for sacks with eight, he immediately fell victim to the Big Blue injury curse.

Year 2 for Ojulari would prove to be frustrating. Held to just seven games and five starts by a calf issue, he never got on track health-wise but still managed to log 5.5 sacks on the season.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was drafted last April to augment the pass-rush opposite Ojulari but the two were rarely on the field together. He hopes that changes this year.

“It’s going to be exciting,” said Thibodeaux this week at camp. “For him (Ojulari) on paper, you know how many sacks he had to how many plays he had, so just knowing that, I mean, if you can get him 17 games, who knows how many sacks you’ll get. Yeah, he’s definitely one of the most talented pass rushers I’ve ever played with. So yeah, I’m excited to really get it going.”

Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams also holds Ojulari in high regard.

“Azeez is a great player to have on the team,” Williams said. “He’s a great player to have on the field. It’s unfortunate when guys ever go through injuries and stuff like that. When he was on the field, he was very productive. I think having him out there is always a great thing. I think he’s focusing a lot on taking care of himself and taking care of his body to make sure that he is out there as much as he can be.

“I think he has a natural feel for the game and natural feel for pass rushing,” he added. “I think it’s smooth the way he pass rushes. It doesn’t seem like he has to try too hard. I think it’s great to have all four of us, and even the more additions that we added to the team, just healthy on the field when we’re called upon. We’re trying to create more bond between us all this year and work together.”

The Giants’ defense is beginning to come together, especially in the front seven.

With Williams and Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence upfront, and with Bobby Okereke at inside linebacker and flanked by Thibodeaux and Ojulari, this group has to have Giant fans amped this summer.

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Photos from Giants’ first week of training camp practices

The photos from the New York Giants’ first week of training camp practices.

The New York Giants are into their second week of training camp, with Tuesday being a big day for the team.

It’s a big day because the Giants will be wearing pads for the first time this summer and that’s when the evaluations from coaches really start and, in turn, the competitions heat up.

But before we get to the biggest day of training camp thus far, here’s a look back at the first week of practice, via photos.

Giants’ Isaiah Hodgins: ‘We are not satisfied’ after 2022 season

New York Giants WR Isaiah Hodgins wants more for himself and the team going into 2023.

Mid-season, the New York Giants found themselves thin at receiver. It was then that General Manager Joe Schoen had to get creative with the Giants being tight for salary cap space.

Schoen added wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins in early November, a player he and head coach Brian Daboll were very familiar with from their days in Buffalo.

Hodgins quickly became one of Daniel Jones’ favorite targets for the remainder of the season and was a catalyst in the team’s playoff berth, leading to his getting a new contract this offseason to return to Big Blue.

Although this is Hodgins’ first training camp with the team, he already feels comfortable while knowing the value of his play in system last season:

“I feel very comfortable in the offense and the scheme,” Hodgins said. “Just being able to take a different approach to my game and knowing that I’m not just thrown into the fire like I was last year. (I) kind of get to work on some mental stuff for me. Kind of like looking at coverages and disguising stuff and seeing stuff that I give away and stuff that I can work on in my game. So, I’m trying to take that next step myself.

“It was really beneficial,” he added. “Just being able to compete against top teams, to play in huge games and playoff games and be able to be in the grit and grind with this team. Coming back from being down or a big divisional game. It was good to be able to see the character in that locker room and whether we take a hit or whether we’re winning big games, just never change and keep working throughout the week. I definitely love the guys in the locker room, and it made me feel more a part of the team being in those moments with them.”
Even with Hodgins being all the Giants could have hoped for and more last season, he hopes to eclipse his performance from last season:

“I try to push myself to forget it completely about last year and just sit there and take it day by day and really eclipse what I did last year,” he said. “That’s our goal, we are not satisfied with that.”

This offseason, the Giants added a plethora of weapons including Darren Waller, Parris Campbell and Jalin Hyatt. Even with the additions, it’s likely Hodgins will be featured and continue to build chemistry with Daniel Jones.

Considering defenses will be heavily focused on Saquon Barkley and Darren Waller and given Hodgins a full offseason to work with the team, he could be primed for a big leap this season.

Giants’ Bobby Okereke talks linebackers room, stopping the run

After practice on Monday, New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke shared his thoughts on the linebackers room and stopping the run.

The New York Giants signed former Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Bobby Okereke to help solidify the interior on the second level of their defense.

They think highly of the former Stanford star, enough to invest $40 million in him over the next four years.

Okereke, 27, signed with Giants because he sees himself getting more opportunities to do what he does best as an off-ball linebacker, plus rushing the passer more under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme.

On Monday, Okereke was asked if he could be the answer to the Giants’ middle linebacker woes the past few seasons.

“I just think I’m a good addition to the group,” he said. “Obviously, just trying to push everybody and make it a very competitive group, competitive training camp. Hopefully we just can contribute to this team as best we can.”

“Bobby O has been a good addition,” said head coach Brian Daboll. “He’s got good length, speed, practices hard. I think someone asked about his leadership. He’s done good in that regard. He’s been playing both spots. Someone asked about that as well. We’ll see where it goes.”

Okereke is going to be a starter inside, but who will line up next to him on the base defense is still to be determined.

The top candidates to replace injured veteran Jarrad Davis are two second-year players, Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers.

McFadden was the only Giants draft pick to play in all 17 games last year, starting seven. He lost his spot to Davis, a late-season free-agent add.

Beavers tore his ACL in Week 2 of the preseason and was lost for the season but is back this summer participating in camp.

Daboll told reporters that Beavers was on a “pitch count” in camp while he rehabs the knee but continues to spin positive about the former University of Cincinnati standout.

“Still a young player, still has a ways to go,” said Daboll. “He’s done a good job since he’s been out here. Obviously fighting through that rehab and now getting an opportunity, he’s done some nice things.”

Okereke also likes what he has seen in Beavers since arriving back in March.

“He’s a big, athletic guy (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) that’s very physical and can run. He’s got smooth hips. He’s a really good athlete.”

Beavers told reporters earlier that stopping the run is the priority at inside linebacker. Okereke agreed.

“100 percent,” he said, while also adding that stopping the run was the strength of his game. But Okereke knows it will take a village to get the job done.

“It takes 11 guys to do their own job at the same time,” he said. “But also, once you fit your gap, go be a football player and tackle the ball. It takes that dogmatic mentality to go make the tackles, but you also have to do your one-of-11. Stay in your A-gap, stay in your B-gap, set the edge. It takes everybody.”

The Giants allowed 5.2 yards per attempt on the ground in 2022, second-highest in the NFL. Okereke and whoever plays next to him will have their work cut out for them.

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Giants’ Brian Daboll updates injuries, competitions, more ahead of Week 2 of camp

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll gave some updates on injuries, competitions and more ahead of Week 2 of training camp.

The New York Giants enter Week 2 of their 2023 training camp on Monday, with opening remarks from head coach Brian Daboll followed by another workout in shorts.

The weather is expected to be much more seasonable temperature-wise for the next four days, with little to no precipitation, so the Giants can expect to get some serious work in.

Daboll began by addressing some injuries.

Linebacker Jihad Ward (undisclosed but not considered serious) and tight end Ryan Jones (knee) will sit out again and center J.C. Hassenauer (torn triceps) will require surgery and be out long term. The injury was sustained during practice on Sunday.

Daboll said the rotation at center going forward would be John Michael Schmitz, Ben Bredeson, Shane Lemieux and Jack Anderson.

After making his impressive return on Sunday, wide receiver Sterling Shepard (knee) will not practice on Monday, which is part of his rehab schedule.

Like everyone else who witnessed it, Daboll was impressed by the one-handed interception by safety Jason Pinnock at the end of Sunday’s practice.

Daboll addressed the progress of first-round selection Deonte Banks, saying they are loading the corner up early on in camp.

In addition, the coach said he was going to continue to let jobs be won via competition on the field.

Asked what improvements he plans to make in Year 2 as the Giants’ head coach, Daboll joked, “my weight’, which he says he has not done a good job in managing.

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