Tag: jason pinnock

Free agency preview: Should Giants re-sign Jason Pinnock?

Should the New York Giants strike early and re-sign safety Jason Pinnock before he hits the open free agent market?

The New York Giants are still reeling from last year’s losses in free agency. Two players they let walk, running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney, both became All-Pros in their first season with their new teams.

The Giants don’t want to see a repeat this offseason. They can partially avoid that by simply re-signing safety Jason Pinnock, who will be an unrestricted free agent come March.

Pinnock, 25, has been a solid performer since the Giants picked him up off waivers before the 2022 season from the Jets, who drafted him out of Pitt in the fifth round in 2021.

Since being picked up by the Giants, Pinnock had played in 46 games (starting 37) with 211 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two interceptions — one of which he returned 102 yards for a touchdown.

This past season, Pinnock played on 89.3 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, a team-high. The Giants should make him a priority this offseason.

You can bet there will be other clubs interested in Pinnock’s services. The league is onto the Giants and their poor management decisions as many players they seem to let go move on to have solid careers elsewhere.

Pinnock is the only starter on defense that is an impending free agent. Everyone else is under contract. He has become the leader of a young secondary that is in dire need of direction.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen mentioned prioritizing bringing back Pinnock, who matched up well with rookie safety Tyler Nubin this season under first-year coordinator Shane Bowen.

Perhaps they are onto something with this duo. The Giants have questions up and down their roster and getting some stability down the middle of the defense would go a long way.

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Giants’ Darius Slayton, Bryce Ford-Wheaton out vs. Panthers

New York Giants wide receivers Darius Slayton and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are out against the Carolina Panthers, and four others are questionable.

The New York Giants wrapped up their week of practice on Friday morning in Germany and their final injury report is a bit of a mixed bag.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who remains in concussion protocol, did not make the flight with his teammates and was officially ruled out on Thursday evening.

The good news is that offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, kicker Graham Gano, and punter Jamie Gillan all made the trip.

“We’ll go ahead and go through practice like we normally do and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do. But, I think for both the kickers and for Chris, that’s looking positive. So, we’ll see,” Daboll told reporters.

Meanwhile, wide receiver and special teams ace, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, also failed to make the trip and will be out on Sunday.

Daboll also expressed doubt about the availability ot safety Jason Pinnock.

“Pinnock is a concern for the game. I wouldn’t rule him out, but he’s probably the one,” he said.

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

Luke Hales/Getty Images

New York Giants

Out: WR Darius Slayton (concussion), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: LB Matthew Adams (calf), K Graham Gano (hamstring), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring)

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers

Out: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: N/A

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Giants injury report: Darius Slayton out vs. Panthers

New York Giants wide receivers Darius Slayton and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are unlikely to play in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers.

Editor’s note: Darius Slayton did not travel with the team to Germany and is officially out in Week 10.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll delivered the unfortunate news that wide receivers Darius Slayton and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are unlikely to travel and will subsequently miss Sunday’s game against Carolina.

On the flip side of that coin, both kicker Graham Gano and punter Jamie Gillan continue to progress and are likely to suit up in Week 10. Gillan is all but guaranteed to play and Daboll says Gano has a strong chance.

The coach also revealed that offensive lineman Greg Van Roten should be “OK” to play on Sunday.

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

Did not participate: WR Darius Slayton (concussion), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), OL Chris Hubbard (illness)

Limited participant: K Graham Gano (hamstring), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), TE Theo Johnson (knee/back), LB Ty Summers (ankle), NT Dexter Lawrence (NIR), OL Greg Van Roten (shoulder), LB Matthew Adams (calf), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring)

Full participant: None

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Giants’ young secondary developing into top-tier unit

Despite some effort issues (cough, Deonte Banks, cough), the New York Giants’ young secondary is developing into a top-tier unit.

Entering the 2024 season, one of the biggest concerns was whether or not the New York Giants’ young secondary would hold up.

They were relying on 25-year-old safety Jason Pinnock, who was claimed on waivers two summers ago from the Jets, to anchor a group of rookies and second-year players.

Pinnock was to be paired with second-round pick Tyler Nubin at safety while the three cornerback spots would be manned by rookie Dru Phillips, last year’s top pick, Deonte Banks, and Cor’Dale Flott, a 2022 third-round selection.

So far, the results appear mixed but the statistics tell us otherwise. The group has become one of the top secondaries in the NFL this year.

The Giants have only allowed 10 touchdowns through the air over the first seven weeks which is mid for the third-lowest in the NFL. They are also allowing just 179.4 passing yards per game, which is good enough for sixth-best in the league.

Banks has taken on some heat with his lackluster effort at times but has generally been solid. He has taken on a mountain of responsibility this season and has gone up against some of the game’s best wideouts: Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, Terry McLaurin, Amari Cooper, D.K. Metcalf, and A.J. Brown.

Only McLaurin had 100-plus yards receiving against the Giants this year, and he had 100 on the dot.

Nubin leads the team in tackles with 48 (31 solo) and Phillips has been outstanding when it comes to sticking close to opposing pass catchers.

The Giants may be 2-5 but the secondary has held up its end thus far. They will get better with time and experience. With all of the things that have been going wrong for Big Blue this year, this is the one unit that is working well.

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Jason Pinnock compares Giants-Cowboys to sibling rivalry

The Cowboys have gotten the better of the New York Giants for a while but Jason Pinnock says, like a sibling rivalry, that will change.

The New York Giants came into 2024 knowing they were going to start two rookies, a second-year player, and another changing position in their young secondary.

The only constant is safety Jason Pinnock, 25, a player the Giants plucked off waivers from the Jets two summers ago.

Pinnock, a 2021 fifth-round pick out of Pitt by the Jets, has steadily become the Giants’ rock in the secondary. So much so that they are relying on him to take a leadership role. Thus far this season, he has lived up to his responsibilities.

This Thursday, the Giants will face the Dallas Cowboys, a team they have lost six straight games to, and they could be without Andru Phillips and two other corners — Adoree’ Jackson and Nick McCloud, who were all on Monday’s injury report.

Asked if he was concerned about the number of key injuries heading into Thursday night’s game, Pinnock said that he wasn’t.

“No,” he told reporters on Monday. “Honestly, we stressed that, being young, in the offseason understanding, going into the year, that we would be young and that everybody has to be ready. That’s just what it is. It’s a violent, fast, physical game. We’re always ready. Next man up mentality. Not too worried.”

We’ll see. The Giants’ secondary will be charged with trying to shut down Dallas wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Cooks.

“It’d be a challenge, regardless,” Pinnock said of trying to take on that dynamic duo while being shorthanded. “But our personnel, we believe in all of our depth, really. I don’t have too much on that.”

One thing we could see from Pinnock is his ability to get to the passer. He has three sacks in the first three games, tied for the team lead with Dexter Lawrence.

Pinnock said that while his teammates might be a little shocked at his sack total, he’s not surprised at all.

The Cowboys have the Giants’ number and they know it. But Pinnock cautions that a day of reckoning could be on the way.

“It’s a new day,” he said. “That’s the only thing I can really say. With that, my analogy goes towards my big brother. We joke about this all the time. It’s sort of like, he probably beat on me for 12 years, but that 13th, I’m going to bust your (expletive). It is what it is.”

The Giants are underdogs again this week, by 5.5 points. It is the 19th consecutive game in which the Giants are not favored, a franchise record.

The tide has to turn at some point. Dallas has not looked like themselves this season and could be ripe for an upset.

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Giants’ Dane Belton feels like he deserves starting job

New York Giants third-year safety Dane Belton believes he is in line to fill the void left by the departure of Xavier McKinney.

New York Giants third-year safety Dane Belton was in line for more work after stater Xavier McKinney left for Green Bay via free agency this March.

Then the Giants signed veteran Jalen Mills in free agency and selected Tyler Nubin in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Nubin has been penciled in as a starter next to Jason Pinnock, but it’s early.

Nubin is beginning training camp on the sidelines with a calf issue and Mills is currently on the NFI list. This could be Belton’s opportunity to win favor with the coaching staff as he’s getting first-team reps at safety in practice.

“I’m confident in my abilities,” Belton said on Wednesday, via NJ Advance Media. “I feel like I earned the right to play (more last year). . . This year, I’m trying to take the job.”

Last season, Belton was the team’s third safety behind McKinney and Pinnock. McKinney played all 1,128 defensive snaps and Pinnock played on 89.3 percent. Belton played on just 296 of the plays or 26.2 percent.

Belton’s real value to the Giants was more as a special teamer.

“Coming off last year, I feel like I deserve this spot — and I’m going to go out there and earn it for sure. I feel like I’ve earned what I’ve gotten so far (with first-team reps in 2024). Things might change. (But) if I go out and make plays, it’s not going to matter. That’s the mindset.”

Belton was a fourth-round pick of the Giants out of Iowa in 2022. He was a hybrid linebacker/defensive back who the Giants have deployed mainly as a safety on defense.

We won’t know until Nubin hits the field what the Giants’ plans are under first-year coordinator Shane Bowen. We know Belton will play, but in what role and how much?

The Giants are looking for a reliable player to come in and take a ton of snaps like McKinney did last season.

“They’re big shoes,” Belton said. “He’s a really good player. But at the same time, I feel like I can do it. I know I make plays.”

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Giants’ Jason Pinnock crowned American Cornhole League Celebrity Series champ

New York Giants DB Jason Pinnock has won the American Cornhole League Celebrity Series, defeating teammate Cor’Dale Flott (and others).

New York Giants starting safety Jason Pinnock is a man of many talents. We’ve seen him walk on a football field and do spectacular things.

Pinnock recently expanded his resume by being crowned a champion at the SuperHole V qualifier in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Pinnock and Chicago Bears offense lineman Braxton Jones were teamed with American Cornhole League pros Ethan Walker and Daymon Dennis.

Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott also took part in the event.

From the Giants:

SuperHole V features 32 NFL players paired with 32 cornhole pros competing in a series of four qualifiers in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, and Canton. The location of the Championship event has yet to be determined.

In years past such NFL players as Sam Darnold, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Jay Cutler, Doug Flutie, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Poyer have taken part in the event.

Quarterback Daniel Jones is also an avid cornhole player.

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Giants’ Jason Pinnock among NFL leaders in performance-based pay

New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock was among the NFL leaders in performance-based pay for 2023.

New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock is among this year’s leaders in performance-based pay, amassing an additional $817, 224 in 2023.

Guard Ben Bredeson, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing a free agent deal last month, earned $764,130 in performance-based pay.

According to NFL Communication: “Under the Performance-Based Pay program, a fund is created and used as a supplemental form of player compensation based upon a comparison of playing time to salary. Players become eligible to receive a bonus distribution in any regular season in which they play at least one official down. In general, players with higher playtime percentages and lower salaries benefit most from the pool.”

Bredeson led the Giants with 1.014 snaps on offense (91.85%) while Pinnock played on 89.63 percent of the defensive snaps.

To get a full rundown of how PBP works, visit the NFL Communications website.

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Do the Giants have a glaring issue in the secondary?

Bill Barnwell believes the New York Giants have glaring and concerning issues in the secondary, especially at safety.

The New York Giants still have some holes to fill on their roster but none may be more glaring than in the secondary.

This offseason, they lost their most reliable player — safety Xavier McKinney — to the Green Bay Packers in free agency. It was the second year in a row they let a solid safety walk. Last spring, Julian Love signed on with the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Giants, while they may have made some splashes in other areas, are now devoid of top talent in their secondary.

The Giants wanted to trade for edge rusher Brian Burns and pay him more than $28 million per year, which means they have to make cutbacks somewhere. For general manager Joe Schoen, those cutbacks appear to be in the secondary. New York let its two most prominent defensive backs hit the open market. McKinney immediately signed a four-year, $68 million deal with the Packers, becoming one of the few safeties in a loaded market to get paid. (Cornerback Adoree’) Jackson remains unsigned.

The Giants signed veteran safety Jalen Mills in free agency and fans are hoping they are not done adding. Mills will be joined by Jason Pinnock at safety, a duo Barnwell says is “arguably the weakest pair of starting safeties on paper.”

At cornerback, last year’s first-round pick, Deonte Banks will be one starter while Jackson’s role is up for grabs. Right now, the Giants will choose from a group that includes Tre Hawkins III and Nick McCloud. Ouch.

Barnwell points out there are still many defensive backs still on the market, including Adoree’ Jackson, and the Giants can still bolster the group with a signing or two.

“I would be surprised if they didn’t take advantage of the market and add at least one veteran safety,” writes Barnwell. “Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, Marcus Maye, Tashaun Gipson and Julian Blackmon are all free agents. . . Adding one of those guys on a one-year deal would bring a veteran into the defensive backs room and help a team that is otherwise set to run out a young secondary.”

Big Blue also has six selections in the 2024 NFL draft and will most likely use a pick or two on the secondary.

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Giants’ 6 biggest surprises of 2023

The New York Giants’ 2023 season wasn’t all bad. Despite the drama issues, there are six players who surprised us with their performance.

The 2023 NFL season has come to an end for the New York Giants, who finished with an ugly 6-11 record.

There’s already been a ton of upheaval across the league, and the Giants are no exception. Still, as hard as this season was to watch, it wasn’t all bad. There were some high points, including a handful of wins under a third-string quarterback.

That’s not the only highlight of the season. Despite the turmoil in the front office, there are players on both sides of the ball who surprised us with their performance on the field.