Tag: Isaiah Simmons

Giants’ Isaiah Simmons named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

New York Giants defensive back Isaiah Simmons has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a blocked field goal in Week 5.

New York Giants defensive back Isaiah Simmons has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday.

Simmons was a catalyst in the 29-20 victory, blocking a 47-yard Jason Myers field goal attempt, which was recovered by wide receiver Bryde Ford-Wheaton and returned for a touchdown.

The play sealed the victory.

Simmons called his shot earlier in the week when special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial put the play in the playbook.

“I said today I was going to block a punt or field goal, one of the two. I didn’t know which one, But it was going to be one of them,” Simmons told reporters after the game.

After the game, head coach Brian Daboll gave Simmons the game ball.

“He’s a high first-round pick,” Daboll said. “He’s been on a couple different teams. There are certain roles that he plays, and not everybody is a starter for you. The people that play behind them or the roles, specific roles we have, they have to execute their job at a high level, whatever that role is. That’s what good teammates do.

“Certainly, everybody wants the ball on offense or to play 100% of the time. This is a team game, and you can only put 11 out there. When your number is called, we’re expecting you to make the play. I’m proud of the young man for that. He made one hell of a play at the end of the game to seal it.”

Simmons is the first Giant to be named Player of the Week this season and the 35th Giant to be named Special Teams Player of the Week since 1984.

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Giants’ Isaiah Simmons called his shot days before Seahawks game

The very second the play was added to the New York Giants’ playbook last week, DB Isaiah Simmons knew he was blocking a kick in Week 5.

New York Giants defensive back Isaiah Simmons leaped over the line, splitting two offensive linemen, and managed to get hit feet down and then propel himself back in the air to block a Jason Myers kick.

Game.

It was an incredibly athletic display by Simmons, who called his shot days before the Giants even took off for the West Coast.

“I said today I was going to block a punt or field goal, one of the two. I didn’t know which one, But it was going to be one of them,” Simmons told reporters after the game.

If the Bryce Ford-Wheaton scoop-and-score looked too clean, it’s because that was predicted as well. He was in the precise spot he was supposed to be in knowing Simmons was about to block the attempt.

“I said, be prepared to scoop because it’s getting blocked. See that ball off wherever it hits, just see it off. I promise it’s getting blocked. So just be ready to scoop,” Simmons said. “He was more than ready to scoop from what I’ve seen I’m happy for BFW. Good for him.”

“We didn’t even practice Isaiah jumping over, we just knew he was capable of doing it. Big shout out to him,” Ford-Wheaton said.

The perfectly executed play wasn’t even in the Giants’ playbook until Tuesday of last week. That’s when special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial approached head coach Brian Daboll with the idea and the two settled on Simmons as the perfect player to pull it off.

“I think it was Tuesday Ghobi brought that play up to me. You know, he talked about who he thought would be a good candidate to do the jump. Isaiah came to mind. He executed perfectly,” Daboll said.

“There is risk-reward, because if you get a penalty then it’s first down for the offense. I thought Ghobi did a good job setting up the rush. Called it at the perfect time. Then, you know, Isaiah is over there before the play practicing get-offs and what he’s doing, so he was prepared to go. We had Dexter (Lawrence) in there. Well-executed play. Critical situation.”

Some questioned whether or not there should have been penalties called on Lawrence and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches for using leverage on the back of offensive linemen, but the league confirmed there had been no infraction. Not only did the offensive linemen dive, but both Lawrence and Nacho kept their hands on the nameplates as opposed to the neck or helmet.

On the most important play of the game, the Giants did literally everything to perfection.

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Giants snap counts from Week 5: What’s up with Jalin Hyatt?

The New York Giants won their Week 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Here are the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams.

The New York Giants pulled off an improbable upset of the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon and did it in unexpectedly dominant fashion.

Although the final scoreboard showed 29-20, it’s not indicative of how the game played out. The Giants controlled the pace from the opening whistle until the final whistle, winning in all three phases of the game.

“Proud of the guys to come out here, play a good game, and get a win on the road,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters. “Proud of our team, our coaches. They put a lot of hard work to come out here on the road.

“So proud of the guys. Competed well. Got the result we wanted. Really the process is what I’m proud of, how they stayed true to it, how they practiced, how they prepared, meetings, all those type of things. Good win.”

The Giants improved to 2-3 with the win and are showing signs of life.

Here are the snap counts that contributed to the Giants’ Week 5 victory.

Offensive snaps: 72
Defensive snaps: 58
Special teams snaps: 30

In the absence of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, fellow wideout Jalin Hyatt drew the start and was on the field for 48 snaps. He ran 26 routes but wasn’t targeted a single time.

Although Hyatt did draw two crucial holding penalties, his lack of involvement in the offense continues to raise eyebrows. It was previously believed the issue was relative to his snap share but that wasn’t the case on Sunday. There’s more to this story.

Meanwhile, Tyrone Tracy Jr. appeared to establish himself as the team’s No. 2 back following Eric Gray’s latest fumble. Veteran wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins also got some field time after being elevated from the practice squad.

Defensively, Isaiah Simmons didn’t see a single snap but boy did he make his presence felt on special teams. Good things happen when he’s on the field, so perhaps the Giants should make note of that moving forward.

Also of note, cornerbacks Adroee’ Jackson and Andru Phillips played well in their returns, taking 27 and 23 snaps, respectively. Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau took just five snaps.

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Blocked field goal return seals Giants’ upset of Seahawks

The Giants came up with a huge blocked field goal to seal a win in Seattle

The New York Giants must have decided turnabout is fair play on Sunday.

Having seen a near touchdown turn into a 101-yard fumble return in the first half at Seattle, the Giants blocked a potential game-tying field goal in the final minute to seal a 29-20 victory.

Hanging on to a 23-20 lead, Isaiah Simmons broke through the line to block Jason Myers’ field-goal attempt.

The football caromed to Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who returned it 60 yards for the surprising score.

Giants injury report: Kayvon Thibodeaux expected to play vs. Browns

New York Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux is dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Sunday matchup with the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field.

All eyes were on linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who popped up on Wednesday’s injury report with a shoulder issue.

https://twitter.com/PLeonardNYDN/status/1836808768866140314

Meanwhile, defensive back Isaiah Simmons was absent for the second consecutive day due to a personal matter but Daboll said he will suit up against the Browns.

Cornerback Nick McCloud continued to sit out.

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

Did not participate: CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Isaiah Simmons (not injury related)

Limited participant: LB Darius Muasau (knee), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder)

Full participant: N/A

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Giants injury report: Nick McCloud sits out, Kayvon Thibodeaux limited

New York Giants CB Nick McCloud (knee) missed practice on Wednesday and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) was limited.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday morning in preparation for a Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Giants are coming off another embarrassing loss, this time at the hands of the Washington Commanders, which was largely due to poor personnel management. They became the first team in NFL history to score three-plus touchdowns, hold their opponents out of the endzone, and lose in regulation.

Cleveland, meanwhile, picked up their first victory of the season, taking down the Jacksonville Jaguars, 18-13, amid more Deshaun Watson drama.

Before practice, head coach Brian Daboll revealed that rookie linebacker Darius Muasau (knee) would return to the field. However, the same could not be said for cornerback Nick McCloud (knee).

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

Did not participate: CB Nick McCloud (knee)

Limited participant: LB Darius Muasau (knee), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), LB Isaiah Simmons (not injury related)

Full participant: N/A

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Giants’ Isaiah Simmons already frustrated with his role?

After playing zero defensive snaps in Week 1, New York Giants LB/DB Isaiah Simmons is expressing frustration with his role (or lack thereof).

On Sunday, the New York Giants hosted the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium in their 2024 season opener. The Giants bombed the outing and the 28-6 score does not really tell the entire story.

Every Giants player is frustrated and unhappy with how that game went, but defensive back Isaiah Simmons is getting vocal after he received a grand total of zero defensive snaps.

Simmons was traded to the Giants ahead of the 2023 season after spending his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Last season, he appeared in all 17 games for the Giants, recording 50 tackles (33 solo), one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, one touchdown and three passes defensed.

The Giants’ defense allowed a middling Sam Darnold to put up 208 passing yards and two touchdowns. Simmons is a veteran of the Giants’ youthful secondary, and his experience would have benefitted the rest of the secondary.

Simmons is right to be upset, especially as Cor’Dale Flott was playing a position he never practiced this offseason. Not to mention the significant role that Simmons appeared destined for after the arrival of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen — a role they sold him on.

The Giants travel to face the Washington Commanders this week, a team also looking for its first win after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their own season opener. It would be a mistake to not play Simmons again this week, but the call is ultimately up to Bowen and head coach Brian Daboll.

We’ll see what changes the Giants make, if any, going forward and how that impacts Simmons’ morale.

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Giants made several concerning personnel decisions in Week 1

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll made several baffling personnel decisions in Week 1 that deserve scrutiny.

In front of legends celebrating the team’s 100th season, the New York Giants were utterly embarrassed on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, falling to Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings, 28-6.

The loss came after Vikings defenders literally laughed at any notion the Giants would challenge them offensively.

Things got so bad that fans waited an hour after the game — having left the stadium in the third quarter — just to heckle quarterback Daniel Jones on the way to his car.

It was a rock-bottom moment for a franchise that has had entirely too many rock-bottom moments over the past decade-plus. But Sunday’s failure began long before anyone took the field.

Entering the game, the Giants had just 51 players on their 53-man roster, leaving them shorthanded out of the gate.

“It was roster management relative to some of the guys that we released or put on the practice squad. We’ll revisit that (on Monday),” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters after the game.

Things got even worse for the Giants during pre-game warmups when wide receiver Gunner Olszewski, who was already nursing a groin injury, suffered a setback and was unable to play. That left the team with just 50 players plus their two practice squad elevations.

Knowing that Olszewski had been limited all week and was hurt, one would think Daboll had a backup plan. He didn’t.

With Olszewski out, the Giants thrust wide receiver Darius Slayton into the role of punt returner. He responded with a fumble.

Then came something even more bizarre — the snap counts.

Offensive snaps: 71
Defensive snaps: 55
Special teams snaps: 24

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt took just four snaps through the first three quarters and finished with 16. He was targeted just once, leaving his field-stretching ability on the cutting room floor.

And how about “money backer” Isaiah Simmons? After serving as a defensive focal point and impact player all summer, he took a grand total of zero defensive snaps in the game.

Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau drew the start over Micah McFadden, who had a breakout campaign in 2023, while Cor’Dale Flott was shifted into the slot where he saw no action throughout training camp and the preseason.

Then there was Dexter Lawrence. After weeks of speculation that he would play close to 100 percent of the snaps, he took just 37 on Sunday — three more than Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Each time he left the game, the Giants were dashed.

Maybe the Giants are trying to tank. What other explanation could there be?

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Giants’ Dru Phillips leaning on vets to help slow the game down

New York Giants rookie cornerback Dru Phillips is hoping the game slows down for him but he has no choice but to learn his craft quickly.

The New York Giants are banking on their young secondary to come together quickly this season and third-round pick Andru Phillips is one of the players they have high hopes for.

Phillips, who was selected 70th overall out of Kentucky in this year’s NFL draft, is more known for his physical play as an inside defender than as an outside corner.

Thus far in training camp, the Giants are lining Phillips up inside in the slot and in packages, per veteran beat reporter Art Stapleton:

Rookie Dru Phillips got his first extended looks at nickel corner with 1st team. Had been in with 1s in dime with Nick McCloud in the slot. Phillips had a PBU in breaking up screen to Wan’Dale Robinson

Phillips, who showed good penetration in the box on Monday, was asked after practice how he thought the team’s first padded practice of training camp went.

“I love it,” he said. “Any time you can play football and put the pads on, it just clicks something different inside most people, like me. It just amplifies it a lot more. I had so much fun out there today.”

The pro game is so much faster than the college game and rookies sometimes experience a shock to the system when they first hit an NFL practice field. Phillips has been no different.

“It’s been so fast, especially with the talent of guys, you’re in a new level, and the efficiency and the attention to detail is so much higher,” he said. “There’s so much going on, especially with the nickel, at one time, it’s like, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, but in like two seconds.

“You’ve got to think, make a play, move on, and try also to be in the right spot to make a play. Yeah, it’s faster, but it’s going to slow down eventually. I’m just taking my time and learning everything.”

Things can’t get too slow with fellow rookie Malik Nabers lining up at wide receiver. Nabers has been exceptional so far in camp.

“That kid is a baller,” Phillips said of Nabers. “I’ve been running some reps and just trying to emphasize the details. But you’re going to go see a guy like Malik every week of the season. So, going against him in a practice is — now I know what to expect. . . It’s great work every day.”

Phillips also spoke about the amount of information a young player has to process in just a short period of time. He’s working through it with the help of his veteran teammates.

“I want to be a perfectionist, but I’m always so fast, my mind is always moving every part of the day,” he said. “I’ve got to do better at some things, they make me be better. Bobby (Okereke) and J-Pin (Jason Pinnock), every single play they are in my ear like, ‘We need to hear you, you got to say this, you got to say that.’ It’s things I need to learn where eventually, they don’t have to tell me, but I’m getting there and I’m just happy that each day is getting better.”

Phillips mentioned two other veterans — Nick McCloud and Isaiah Simmons — who have helped him navigate his way through the process in his first week.

“Those two guys, they’re older,” said Phillips. “They’ve been doing it, especially Nick. He teaches me so much. Anytime I have a question, I go ask him. He’s been nothing but a great leader and role model for me.”

Simmons is a linebacker by trade but the Giants are using him as a defensive back as well this summer. Phillips was asked if he ever saw a nickel as big as Simmons.

“No,” he said. “In the spring, I was looking at him and thinking, ‘How is he going to do this?’ He’s just so big but you see him out there covering guys like (wide receiver) Wan’Dale Robinson and whatnot. It’s surprising. But he’s a freak of nature and he’s blessed for the talents that he’s got.”

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Giants’ Brian Daboll heaps praise on Malik Nabers, Jalin Hyatt

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has been wildly impressed with Malik Nabers and Jalin Hyatt this offseason.

The New York Giants were back on the practice field on Friday as their 2024 training camp barrels on. Head coach Brian Daboll met the media and was more forthcoming than in his previous sessions this week.

Of course, the main subject was rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the team’s first-round draft pick this past April. Nabers put on a show at Thursday’s practice, catching three touchdowns and appearing to be basically uncoverable.

Daboll is pleased, to say the least, at what he’s seen from Nabers thus far.

Other news centered around injuries. Guard Jermaine Eluemunor (ribs) will be limited in practice. Rookie safety Tyler Nubin will be held out with a calf and defensive lineman Timmy Horne also is dealing with a calf issue.

Daboll is hopeful that Eluemunor and Nubin could participate in Monday’s padded practice, the Giants’ first of this training camp.

The coach pointed out some of the players who had caught his eye at camp during the first few days. Backup tight end Lawrence Cager was one in particular. He has been smooth and appears to be much improved this summer.

“He’s playing faster,” Daboll said. “He’s absorbed what he needs to do understanding the playcalling and the nuances of the position. . . (Tight ends coach) Tim Kelly has done a great job with him”

Other players include wide receivers Allen Robinson and Jalin Hyatt along with free agent running back Devin Singletary.

Daboll lauded Robinson as a “good fit” and said that Hyatt’s total all-around game is improving by the day. The 30-year-old Robinson, a veteran of 10 NFL seasons, has already made his presence known and is working with Nabers and the other young wideouts in the film room.

Hyatt’s route running and understanding of the pro game have improved substantially. It hasn’t hurt that there’s more competition in camp this summer as well.

Singletary, who will be asked to help fill the void left by the departure of Saquon Barkley in free agency, also got some props.

Daboll didn’t totally ignore the defense. He had some positive notes on safety Jason Pinnock.

The Giants will take a day off on Saturday and resume workouts on Sunday.

Today is Isaiah Simmons’ 26th birthday. The team is excited about the energy he brings to their defense. So far in camp, Simmons has lined up as a defensive back in several packages. Interesting.

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