It may be hard to believe, but once upon a time, New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor played special teams.
It’s true. Taylor actually played on four separate special teams units and made an impact on each. It’s something New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick often reminds his players and something he reflects on when discussing Taylor.
Here in 2020, the Giants will adopt a similar philosophy when it comes to using starters on special teams, including safety Jabrill Peppers, who will have a major role on the punt team.
“You don’t have starters, you have players,” head coach Joe Judge said on Wednesday.
Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was asked about using Peppers and other starters on specials this season and he channeled Belichick and Judge in his response.
Thomas McGaughey said, "If a guy named Lawrence Taylor…can play on special teams," then anyone can. They are going to use the best players available. It's part of winning games.
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 10, 2020
Peppers won’t just be used exclusively in the return game, either. McGaughey said his role will be “all-encompassing.”
But Peppers won’t be alone. Wide receivers Golden Tate, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, cornerbacks Darnay Holmes and Corey Ballentine, and others will all also have a role on specials.
Welcome to the special teams-heavy New York Giants.
A part of the reason why the Giants have adopted this philosophy is the presence of first-year head coach Joe Judge, who cut his teeth as a special teams coach.
It’s also why McGaughey has hope that more special teams coaches will land head coaching jobs in the future. And if you think that’s just about unit coaches sticking together, think again. McGaughey says he’s learned more from Judge in six months than he’s learned the previous six years.
Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey says he has learned more football in the last six months than ever before. Says “It’s awesome” that Joe Judge, with a history on special teams, became a head coach. pic.twitter.com/1ZyABfkJIc
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) September 10, 2020
Thomas McGaughey is asked why more special teams coaches don't get looks at head coach. He says most people just look at them as punter and kicker coaches. "They don't understand that we coach all positions and all players."
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 10, 2020
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