Tag: Dane Belton

Giants rookie Dane Belton has excelled in coverage

New York Giants rookie safety Dane Belton has played well in his first NFL season, excelling in coverage specifically.

The New York Giants’ 2022 draft class has had an immediate effect on the team, unlike in recent years. Big Blue hasn’t had a draft class hit the ground running like this 2007, the season they won their first Super under head coach Tom Coughlin.

Many of the 11 players selected this year have played key roles already through the first eight games. First-round picks, outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and right tackle Evan Neal, are starters, as are second-round wideout Wan’Dale Robinson and fourth-round tight end Daniel Bellinger — when healthy.

Others have added depth and value such as inside linebacker Micah McFadden, offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu, defensive back Cor’Dale Flott and defensive lineman D.J. Davidson.

One player who has stepped right in and performed from the outset is safety Dane Belton, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa who was said to be a perfect fit for Wink Martindale’s defensive scheme and they have been proven correct.

Belton is a perfect compliment to starting safeties Julian Love and Xavier McKinney, and now will be joined by veteran Landon Collins to create a formidable gouger of defensive backs to execute martingale’s strategy going forward.

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What we learned from Giants’ 24-20 win over Ravens

The New York Giants defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 24-20, in Week 6 and here’s some of what we learned from that win.

The New York Giants defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 24-20, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Here are some things we learned from the stunning Week 6 victory.

Darius Slayton, Oshane Ximines were highest-graded Giants in Week 5

Darius Slayton and Oshane Ximines earned the New York Giants’ highest PFF grades in a Week 5 upset of the Green Bay Packers.

The New York Giants rallied on Sunday in London, coming back from two touchdowns down to defeat the Green Bay Packers, 27-22.

With injuries piling up, the team was forced to rely on some unlikely heroes. One of those was wide receiver Darius Slayton, who caught six passes for 79 yards and earned a 89.6 grade from Pro Football Focus, the team’s highest mark of the week.

Just behind Slayton on the offensive side of the ball were left tackle Andrew Thomas (75.3), guard Mark Glowinski (74.5) and running back Saquon Barkley (72.1).

Other notable offensive grades belong to quarterback Daniel Jones (69.8), tight end Daniel Bellinger (67.5) and right tackle Evan Neal (56.4).

The lowest-graded Giants on offense were tight end Tanner Hudson (52.0) and center Jon Feliciano (39.4).

Defensively, edge rusher Oshane Ximines, who recorded the game-sealing sack, led the charge with a grade of 80.6. He was followed by edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (75.0), linebacker Jaylon Smith (73.3) and nose tackle Dexter Lawrence (70.6).

Other notable defensive grades include safety Julian Love (70.5), cornerback Nick McCloud (61.5) and safety Xavier McKinney (44.7).

The lowest-graded Giants defenders were linebacker Jihad Ward (43.3) and safety Dane Belton (34.1).

The highest-graded special teams player was Cam Brown (91.0).

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Giants stun Packers in London, improve to 4-1

The New York Giants rallied in the second half to stun the Green Bay Packers, 27-22, in London and improved their record to 4-1.

The New York Giants headed overseas to London where they were 7.5-point underdogs against the Green Bay Packers. NFL experts heavily favored Green Bay in the game with 99% of all insider picks going with Aaron Rodgers & Co.

The Giants didn’t care.

Despite injuries mounting at an incredibly rapid pace, Big Blue was able to overcome a 20-10 halftime deficit to stun the Packers, putting up 17 second half points to secure a 27-22 victory.

The Giants are now the “worst 4-1 team in NFL history.”

Andrew Thomas, Dexter Lawrence were highest-graded Giants in Week 3

Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence were the highest-graded New York Giants in a Week 3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

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The New York Giants fell to the Dallas Cowboys, 23-16, on Monday night due in large part to being dominated in the trenches. Ironically, however, that’s where some of the team’s highest-graded players resided.

Left tackle Andrew Thomas continued his early-season dominance, earning a team-leading grade of 79.5 courtesy of Pro Football Focus. He was followed by tight end Daniel Bellinger (76.5), center Jon Feliciano (71.6) and quarterback Daniel Jones (64.5).

The Feliciano grade is surprising to say the least.

Other notable offensive grades include right guard Mark Glowinski (63.2), running back Saquon Barkley (60.5) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (53.8).

The lowest-graded Giants on offense were right tackle Evan Neal (45.8) and guard Ben Bredeson (44.8).

Defensively, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence tied with cornerback Fabian Moreau for the highest grade (77.5). They were followed by defensive lineman Nick Williams (75.0), linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (73.2) and safety Xavier McKinney (72.4).

Other notable defensive grades include linebacker Oshane Ximines (71.8), safety Julian Love (66.9) and linebacker Tae Crowder (47.4).

The lowest-graded Giants on defense were nose tackle D.J. Davidson (29.6) and safety Dane Belton (27.1).

The Giants’ highest-graded special teams player was Fabian Moreau (65.7).

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Giants injury report: Kadarius Toney a projected non-participant

The New York Giants released a projected injury report on Friday and WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) was downgraded from the day prior.

The New York Giants did not have an official practice on Friday but did release a projected injury report following the day’s meetings and walkthrough.

Nothing had changed since the day prior with one alarming exception: wide receiver Kadarius Toney was listed as a non-participant.

Toney has been dealing with a hamstring issue for several weeks and the fact that he was DNP on a projection does not bode well for his potential availability on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants’ (projected) Friday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: DL Leonard Williams (knee), CB Aaron Robinson (appendicitis), CB Nick McCloud (hamstring), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), CB Justin Layne (concussion), WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring)

Limited participant: LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (calf), OL Jon Feliciano (shin), S Jason Pinnock (shoulder), DB Dane Belton (clavicle)

Full participant: N/A

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Giants injury report: Kadarius Toney returns to practice

New York Giants WR Kadarius Toney returned to practice on Thursday, while Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari appear ready to go.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Thursday as they continue preparations for a Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Head coach Brian Daboll says edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari are both making strides and indicated they are likely to play on Monday night. Both players have seen an uptick in practice reps.

Ojulari declared himself good to go.

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who sat out of practice on Wednesday, returned on a limited basis.

Daboll also wouldn’t officially rule defensive lineman Leonard Williams out for the team’s Monday night game, although it remains unlikely that he’ll play.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: DL Leonard Williams (knee), CB Aaron Robinson (appendicitis), CB Nick McCloud (hamstring), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), CB Justin Layne (concussion)

Limited participant: LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (calf), OL Jon Feliciano (shin), S Jason Pinnock (shoulder), WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring), DB Dane Belton (clavicle)

Full participant: N/A

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Julian Love ‘couldn’t be happier’ for Dane Belton after electric debut

New York Giants rookie Dane Belton had a stellar debut and team captain, Julian Love, “couldn’t be happier for him.”

The New York Giants have had defensive back Julian Love on their roster for four seasons now and we seem to learn something new about him every week.

The former Notre Dame star began his Giants career as a backup safety/cornerback who can add value on special teams. As a result, the Giants really didn’t have role for him unless someone got hurt.

This year, under another new coaching staff, Love does have a role on defense. He is starting at safety and has played all 123 defensive snaps for the Giants. Love currently leads the Giants with 13 total tackles.

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme features safeties and Love is the senior man in the Giants’ safety rotation, which includes the talented Xavier McKinney and rookie Dane Belton, who made a splash in his pro debut last week on both defense and special teams, where he recovered a key fumble.

“Oh my gosh, that’s quite the start to a career. I couldn’t be happier for him,” Love said Belton. “He’s a guy who came in as a rookie and has done everything that we’ve asked him to do, everything I’ve asked him to do, from a rookie perspective.

“He’s stayed prepared, he’s stayed locked in mentally, which is so tough to do when you’re really young. He was able to get around the ball this weekend. I couldn’t be happier him. He’s going to do a lot for us, he needs to do a lot for us, quite frankly. I think that’s what is expected of him, and he knows that. I think the future’s bright for him.”

Belton missed a good swath of training camp and the preseason with a fracture to his clavicle. He is back now and the Giants’ defense and special teams are better off for it.

Love, McKinney and Belton are playing like de facto linebackers in Martindale’s system. They will creep down low in the box on some plays and then recede back to the top on others.

Last week, against Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey, they were down low quite a bit.

“We needed speed on the field to account for what he can do with the ball in his hands,” explained Love. “That’s what that was and we’re going to switch it up every single week depending on what puts us in the best position to succeed.

“I’ve been a part of three safety rotations in the past, at the end of the day you just want your best players on the field. Wink does a great job of playing to players’ strengths. Which not every coach does, so we have the freedom to know that we’re getting put in the situations where we can succeed. That’s what that is.”

And it is working. The Giants, who were 21st in total defense last season, are 12th after two games this year.

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Giants vs. Panthers: Statistics, numbers and broken records

The New York Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 and here’s a look at some of the records, statistics and numbers.

The New York Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers, 19-16, on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. It improved their record to 2-0 on the season and has them sitting in first place in the NFC East — at least for now.

There’s a lot the Giants need to clean up, especially with the Dallas Cowboys coming to town, but there are increasing reasons for optimism.

Here’s a glance at what interesting stats, numbers and broken records were birthed from the Week 2 win over the Panthers.

  • With the win, the Giants start 2-0 for the first time since 2016. They had started 0-2 in each of the previous five seasons.
  • The Giants won their home opener for the first time since 2016 — six years later to the day.
  • New York and Carolina were tied at both halftime and after three quarters, which hasn’t happened in a Giants game since 2017.
  • Graham Gano connected on two 50-plus yard field goals on Sunday, extending his franchise record to 14 50-plus yard field goals.
  • Daniel Bellinger scored his first career touchdown and became the Giants’ first rookie tight end to score a touchdown since 2019 (Kaden Smith).
  • On his first career play, rookie safety Dane Belton recovered a fumble.
  • The Giants last recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff in 2009.
  • Darnay Holmes recorded his first career forced fumble.
  • Julian Love recorded his first full career sack.
  • Cor’Dale Flott made his first career start.
  • Tanner Hudson recorded his first (and second) receptions as a member of the Giants.
  • Justin Layne and Antonio Williams made their Giants debuts.

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Giants injury report: Kadarius Toney limited with hamstring issue

The New York Giants saw a few changes to their injury report on Thursday with WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) being added.

The New York Giants were back on the practice field Thursday and a few things changed from the day prior.

Rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who head coach Brian Daboll said did some team work on Wednesday, was again limited. The same held true for fellow edge rusher Azeez Ojulari.

The status and participation of other injured Giants, including wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, remained the same. The good news came via cornerback Aaron Robinson, who is scheduled to be released from the hospital following an emergency appendectomy.

On the downside of things, wide receiver Kadarius Toney was added to the injury report with a hamstring issue.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Nick McCloud (hamstring), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), CB Aaron Robinson (appendicitis), OL Devery Hamilton (illness)

Limited participant: LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (calf), OL Jon Feliciano (lower leg), S Jason Pinnock (shoulder), WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring)

Full participant: S Dane Belton (clavicle)

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