Auburn in the NFL: Week 14 Recap

It was a solid week for Auburn Alumni in Week 14.

We have reached the final quarter of the NFL regular season.

As we do every week, Auburn Wire will take a look at some of the most notable performances from Auburn Alumni across the League.

Auburn Alumni were busy in Week 14, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

[autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag] collected his second interception of the season, helping the Buccaneers take first place in the NFC South. [autotag]Derrick Brown[/autotag] tallied the second INT of his career, [autotag]Darius Slayton[/autotag]’s Giants won their third game in a row, and [autotag]Jonathan Jones[/autotag]’s Patriots got the best of [autotag]Montravius Adams[/autotag]’s Steelers on Thursday Night.

Here is a look at several headlines from Week 14 that feature Auburn’s top NFL players.

Giants players discuss differences between Tyrod Taylor, Tommy DeVito

New York Giants players break down the differences between Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito with uncertainty over who will start in Week 14.

The New York Giants designated quarterback Tyrod Taylor to return from injured reserve (IR) on Monday and expectations are that he’ll be active in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers.

That puts head coach Brian Daboll in somewhat of a precarious position.

The Giants have gone 2-1 in Tommy DeVito’s three starts and the rookie is now the toast of the town. He’s become a national sensation and earned the respect and trust of his teammates.

Still, there’s no denying that Taylor’s skillset gives the Giants a better chance to win. And that’s not a knock on DeVito, it’s just a credit to Taylor.

So, what are the Giants to do? Technically still in the NFC Playoff hunt, do they go with Taylor, who is likely to depart via free agency this coming offseason, or DeVito, who could use the added NFL experience?

Whatever decision Daboll makes, his players will support it.

“Obviously, Tyrod, the veteran presence. He’s been in the league I think it’s 13 years. DeVito brings in energy, juice. He’s still learning the game and that works out for him,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “So they’re different guys, but we trust both of those guys. Whatever the coaches decide, that’s what we’ll go with and we’re going to protect the same and we’re going to block the same regardless of who’s back there.”

Although there wasn’t a single Giants player willing to put a stamp on either Taylor or DeVito, it was clear that the former’s NFL experience looms large.

“Tyrod has been in the league for 12 years, something like that and DeVito is a rookie. There’s a lot of things that Tyrod knows about the game and kind of more so like the way he carries himself,” wide receiver Darius Slayton said. “Everybody kind of has to learn how to carry themselves — like how you fit into a team as you grow in this league and as a rookie, especially a quarterback, a leadership position, you have to kind of find your way.

“I feel like DeVito’s done a good job of finding his way quickly, but it’s impossible to close a gap of 12 years. I think DeVito’s done a great job and Tyrod’s a professional, that’s why he’s been in this league so long. I’m glad to have both on our team.”

With five games remaining, Daboll’s quarterback decision will be telling. If he chooses Taylor, that will mean the Giants are gunning for a sneaky playoff spot. If he chooses DeVito, that likely indicates he’s already looking ahead to next year.

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Giants experience the pros and cons of a late bye week

The New York Giants may have had a late in-season bye — the latest some players have ever experienced — but they maximized the time off.

The New York Giants waited 13 long weeks — more than two months — for their bye to arrive. For many players, that was the latest in-season bye week that they’ve ever had.

“I think it’s good when you look at it with this last five-game stretch, you know this bye week was kind of an opportunity to reenergize and rejuvenate and really just get your mind right for a five-game stretch,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “Obviously, one game at a time, but where we are, where the playoff picture is looking like, and just how close all these games and teams are in the NFL. There is a lot of opportunity ahead of us.”

Although the players treated it like any other bye, there was a noticeable difference in that it came so late. And now, upon their return, they will close out the season with five games in 28 days — another unique grind for a team that’s dealt with multiple schedule quirks this season.

“I’d rather not have another one this late, but at the same time though, it’s kind of unique in that when it is this late, you come back and as you said, you have played the vast majority of the season. So, it’s kind of like you get a little reset and then I feel like it kind of gives you a good chance to finish strong. We have what? Five games left,” wide receiver Darius Slayton said.

“It kind of just allows you to, even though it’s later in the year, you kind of get the wear on the front end. It kind of comes at the right time because obviously if you go into the postseason then it’s nice to have that little break right before.”

Whether the bye came in Week 6 or Week 13, Slayton was just happy to get a break from the normal NFL beating he takes on a weekly basis.

“It does good to not get tackled, you know, kept my body off the ground helped out but I feel good,” he said. “You get so used to starting your week feeling terrible. Like now, like on Monday, you know, I feel great. It’s like, wow, this is how Mondays are for regular people. It’s always like that coming off byes, but I feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to go.”

Left tackle Andrew Thomas, who’s dealt with injury issues all season, also used the time to recover.

“For me, the first few days of the bye week was really just getting rest,” Thomas said. “I had my family in town for a few days for Thanksgiving so just spending time with the family, letting my body recover and then later in the week just trying to get some lifts in, some recovery, some treatment, just to get my body primed to go for this last stretch.

It’s not just the physical break the players welcomed, but the mental one, too.

“It was cool. I didn’t do anything but relax, so that was much needed to get a little away from football and let my mind do something else besides think of guarding a receiver or looking at different formations. So, it was nice,” cornerback Adoree’ Jackson said.

Now the break is over. It’s back to work for these Giants, who are just two games out in the NFC Playoff hunt.

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Darius Slayton named the Giants’ best value contract

ESPN says wide receiver Darius Slayton is the New York Giants’ best value contract over LB Bobby Okereke and others.

The New York Giants selected Darius Slayton in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Slayton is incredibly talented and athletic, but he’s been saddled by the Giants’ lackluster offense for five years. Like Daniel Jones, Slayton is on his third head coach in his short tenure with the team.

Still, Slayton has had an impact on the field. While not as consistent as most would like, he’s still capable of great things and occasionally we see glimpses of that. Because of this, Slayton was deemed to have the Giants’ best value contract by ESPN.

This one was hard, as the Giants’ most valuable veteran cap hits of 2023 belong to players whose cap hits jump in future years. For example, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II has a $5.7 million cap number this year, which is hugely valuable. Next year, that jumps to $22.1 million. Or take linebacker Bobby Okereke, tied for second in the NFL in defeats. Okereke has a cap number of just $4.4 million in 2023, but that jumps to $11.2 million next season and $12.2 million in 2025 and 2026.

We’ll give the best value contract award to Slayton’s two-year deal that covers 2023 and 2024. Slayton has an inconsistent career but is the most valuable wide receiver on the Giants. Last season, he ranked 16th among receivers in DVOA, catching 46 passes for 724 yards and two touchdowns. This season, his DVOA is below average, but he still leads the Giants in receiving yards with 435 yards through Week 12. He has played 78% of New York’s offensive snaps so far in 2023.

Slayton’s 2023 cap hit is $4.2 million (1.8% of the Giants’ total cap) and his 2024 cap hit is $7.75 million (3.0%). On a two-year deal for a solid wide receiver, this is a huge value.

As ESPN noted, Slayton ranked 16th among receivers in DVOA last season. This season is below average, but he still leads the Giants in receiving yards and has played 78% of the Giants’ offensive snaps in 2023.

Slayton is not flashy and he doesn’t demand attention, but he can get the job done, and that’s the value he brings.

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Giants hang on, defeat Patriots, 10-7, in ugly Week 12 affair

It’s better to win ugly than lose pretty, and that’s exactly what the New York Giants did on Sunday, defeating the Patriots, 10-7.

The New York Giants played host to the New England Patriots on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in a matchup between two teams whose seasons have not gone as expected thus far.

On a typical late November weather day in Northern New Jersey, the NFL’s two lowest-scoring teams played as anticipated. The over/under at game time was 33.5. This game went well under that number.

Giants rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito made his first home start while reliable defensive line stalwart Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) missed the first game in his five seasons with Big Blue.

Giants players have ‘tremendous respect’ for ex-coach Joe Judge

New York Giants players expressed a “tremendous respect” for their former head coach, Joe Judge, ahead of Sunday’s game against New England.

The New York Giants face the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium and on the opposing sideline will be their former head coach, Joe Judge.

Judge was fired after compiling a 4-13 record during the 2021 regular season, which featured a wild 11-minute rant following a Week 17 loss to the Chicago Bears and controversial back-to-back quarterback sneaks in a Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders.

While fans were happy to see Judge get shown the door, his players weren’t nearly as enthusiastic. Despite the team’s struggles and Judge’s unorthodox coaching style, he had earned the respect of the men he commanded.

Running back Saquon Barkley was one of those men, who to this day appreciates Judge for his calming presence after the running back tore his ACL.

“With Judge, obviously the biggest thing was focus on the little things and the details. That’s something that I’ll always take,” Barkley told reporters this week. “He’s the one where, the first thing that goes in my mind, I was sitting there after I tore my knee, I’m sitting there bawling and I look up and he’s the one that told me it’s going to be a hell of a story.

“From that moment, that kind of my whole mantra was like this is not over. I’m going to be okay. I’m going to find a way. I’m going to work my butt off and I’m going to get back to the player that I’m known to be and the player that I know that I am. So, I’ve got nothing but tremendous respect for Joe and obviously, the two years here didn’t go the way we would’ve liked, but I’m really thankful for him.”

Barkley wasn’t alone in those sentiments. Wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton also have an admiration for Judge and they’re excited to talk to him on Sunday.

“He hasn’t done anything but treat me with respect,” Shepard said, via the New York Post. “Was he a tough coach and his practice style different than I’ve seen before? Yes, but that’s who he is. And he’s a great dude.”

Current Giants head coach, Brian Daboll, also has a close relationship with Judge. In fact, Judge had wanted Daboll to be his offensive coordinator after being hired by the Giants but the Buffalo Bills, Daboll’s then-employer, denied Judge’s request for an interview.

“I’d say when I see those guys, we say hello, but during the season you’re not talking to a lot of coaches on other staffs. You’re really focused on your staff,” Daboll said this week. “But got a lot of respect for Joe, too. I know him, his wife, his children. I’d say (our relationship) is good.”

Sunday won’t mark the first time Judge has returned to MetLife Stadium, but it will mark the first time he’s faced his former team since that ugly divorce.

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Giants’ Dexter Lawrence, Darius Slayton doubtful vs. Patriots

The New York Giants have ruled RT Evan Neal out and listed NT Dexter Lawrence and WR Darius Slayton as doubtful vs. the New England Patriots.

The New York Giants will host the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in Week 12 and could be down several additional key players.

Man games lost has been the major story for the Giants since 2009 as they lead the league in injuries over that span, and they will look to continue that string here in 2023.

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, the team’s most dominant player, missed all three practices this week due to a hamstring injury and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Darius Slayton, the team’s leading receiver, is also listed as doubtful for the Patriots clash due to a neck injury that is causing some nerve-related issues.

“So, we’ll take both those guys right up to game time,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Evan Neal will be out.”

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Patriots can be found below:

Giants injury report: Dexter Lawrence continues to miss practice

New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence missed his second consecutive practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury.

The New York Giants held a brief practice on Thursday morning before players and staff were permitted to leave early and attend their respective Thanksgiving celebrations.

“We’ll bump it up a little bit,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Thursday’s practice. “I talked to the captains last week relative to how they wanted to approach the week, if they wanted to push it up and practice on Tuesday, give them off on Thursday.

“They wanted to keep it a normal week. So, we’ll push up the time that we start, and then they’ll get out a little bit earlier than they would. Fairly normal.”

East Rutherford facilities were closed to the media, so there were no press conferences or Zoom calls held, while practice was closed.

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

Did not participate: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), OL Evan Neal (ankle)

Limited participant: WR Darius Slayton (neck), LB Bobby Okereke (rib/hip), DL A’Shawn Robinson (back), CB Tre Hawkins (shoulder)

Full participant: OL John Michael Schmitz (finger), RB Saquon Barkley (rest), LT Andrew Thomas (knee), RB Eric Gray (ankle), OL Tyre Phillips (knee), WR Sterling Shepard (hip), CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion), S Bobby McCain (illness)

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Giants injury report: Eric Gray designated to return from IR

New York Giants RB Eric Gray has been designated to return from IR while NT Dexter Lawrence was a non-participant with a hamstring injury.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday ahead of a Week 12 game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.

Before practice, head coach Brian Daboll met with reporters to update the status on several players, including wide receiver Darius Slayton and left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is reportedly playing on a sprained MCL.

“He won’t practice today,” Daboll said of Slayton, indicating he could play on Sunday.

Additionally, the Giants announced that rookie running back Eric Gray has been designated to return from injured reserve (IR) with his 21-day window officially opening.

Linebacker Bobby Okereke also revealed that he’s dealing with a broken rib and dislocated finger, noting that the latter hurts worse than the former. Both he and Slayton intend to play.

Finally, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence was a surprise addition to the injury report. He generally has a veteran rest day on Wednesday but was listed as a non-participant due to a hamstring injury this week.

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

Did not participate: WR Darius Slayton (neck), LB Bobby Okereke (rib/hip), NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), RB Saquon Barkley (rest), OL Evan Neal (ankle)

Limited participant: LT Andrew Thomas (knee), RB Eric Gray (ankle), OL Tyre Phillips (knee), WR Sterling Shepard (hip), CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion)

Full participant: OL John Michael Schmitz (finger)

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Giants force six turnovers, ride Saquon Barkley to 31-19 win over Commanders

The New York Giants forced six turnovers, recorded four sacks and rode the back of Saquon Barkley in a 31-19 win over the Commanders.

The Washington Commanders hosted their long-time rivals, the New York Giants, at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Sunday afternoon.

It was a game that had very little significance in the NFC East standings between the third- and fourth-place teams.

Washington was favored by 9.5 points on most betting platforms with an over/under of 35 total points.

The Giants came into the game 2-0-1 versus the Commanders under head coach Brian Daboll.

Make that 3-0-1 after this one as Big Blue won for just the third time this season.