For the better part of the 2022 season, defenses knew they could stack the box against the New York Giants, focusing much of their attention on quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.
Due to injuries and the lack of big-play receivers, the Giants were limited offensively.
That will change in 2023 thanks to the addition of dynamic tight end Darren Waller, who was acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
“I feel like defenses kind of have to make decisions, they want to put the extra guy in the box, which is something that you have to do to stop 26. You know, you need as many bodies as possible, but when you do that, you are more susceptible to those play actions and over routes, which I feel like I’ve succeeded a lot at in my career, so it creates a good harmony. Whatever defenses want to do, it allows different guys including receivers to have advantages in different strengths of their game,” Waller told reporters on Tuesday.
Waller recognizes that his presence will help others produce but he also expects to see favorable matchups where he, too, can make an impact.
“They are zone team early downs and then once you get third down, they are a little more man coverage. They have some good safeties, they’ve got (Jayron) Kearse, he’s solid, big dude, he’s got a lot of skills. I think (Donovan) Wilson, I mean really all those guys, (Malik) Hooker, can play and you’ll see some of those corners as well because they’ll match. It’ll basically be man when you are out wide. They’ve got a lot of talented cover players, so that’s who you want to go up against,” Waller said.
Not only is Waller excited to take on the Cowboys, but he’s excited to make his Giants under the lights in primetime.
“I’m excited man, just trying to stay within the day, you know? Every single individual day of practice leads to a good game on Sunday, so not trying to get too excited, peak before then. Just trying to keep building as the week goes,” he said.
Expectations for both the Giants and Waller are high, and their renewed journey begins in just under four days.
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