Tag: tae crowder

Giants’ Xavier McKinney inching closer to return

New York Giants rookie safety Xavier McKinney is inching closer to his return, as are linebacker Oshane Ximines and Tae Crowder.

[jwplayer bkhB5hxO-ThvAeFxT]

When New York Giants rookie safety Xavier McKinney went down with a fractured foot in training camp, the initial timeline that had been discussed postulated the second-round pick would return in mid-November.

That timeline has proven to be relatively accurate as McKinney has been seen working with trainers on the side during practice, doing some running and other resistance work.

Although McKinney is eligible to be designated to return from injured reserve, the Giants may wait an additional week or two before making that decision.

“That’s still up in the air,” head coach Joe Judge said of McKinney returning this week. “I don’t know if we will necessarily see him this week. He was on the field the other day running with the trainers. I haven’t had much of a chance with my own eyes to really get my eyes on him. I know he’s making a lot of progress. I’m getting positive reports on him. We have until Wednesday. He’ll be with the trainers tomorrow, that may shed a little bit more light on it for us. Based on how we practice Wednesday, if we go full tilt or some kind of an abbreviated walk thru, or short fundamentals practice, we haven’t decided yet. That may affect whether or not we start his clock on that day or not.”

The same line of thinking applies to linebackers Oshane Ximines and Tae Crowder.

“With Oshane and Tae, they are very similar to X-man. We have to figure out where they’re at physically and when do we want to start their clock. All of them have made a lot of progress. Some are a little bit closer than others. I want to see where they’re at,” Judge said. “The biggest thing I’d say at this point is because you have the bye week coming up next week, we want to be very calculated when we start their clock, that 21-day window. If you start it too early and then you lose another week with the bye week anyway, it may set them back.

“There’s a benefit of getting them going with us right away, getting their legs back under them, get them back playing football. There’s also a benefit of holding a little bit knowing you have the bye week next week and there’s really no advantage to getting them to a game next week anyway. There’s a couple different avenues we can take with these guys. I want to see where they’re at physically. We talked this morning with the trainers and basically said, ‘hey look, tomorrow we have to have some answers to at least help us make a better decision.’ ”

With the additional bye week looming, the Giants do not seem rushed about getting any of the three back. And while they could potentially return to the field on Wednesday, it’s far more likely Judge holds them out until the team returns from their bye on or around November 25.

[lawrence-related id=659235,659209,659219]

Giants place rookie LB Tae Crowder on injured reserve

Giants rookie LB hits injured reserve.

The New York Giants just can’t to buy a break. Just two days after rookie linebacker Tae Crowder scored the winning touchdown on a 43-yard fumble return, he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Crowder, the 255th and final selection in this year’s NFL Draft, aka ‘Mr. Irrelevant’, overcame long odds to become a starter and will now miss at least three games due to the injury.

The Giants replaced Crowder on the roster by signing edge rusher Jabaal Sheard off the Jacksonville Jaguar’s practice squad.

Crowder was a running back turned linebacker at Georgia and many felt he would not even make the Giants’ roster coming out of training camp. He’s started the last two games, making five total tackles against Dallas two weeks ago and ten (six solo) against Washington last week.

“Throughout training camp and all that, he was one of those rookies where he doesn’t say much,” said Blake Martinez, who lines up nest to Crowder at inside linebacker. “Just goes to work every single day and once he’s gotten that opportunity, it’s been amazing to see him flourish out there. He just feels so comfortable being able to make calls, make everything simpler even for me out there. It’s cool to see him obviously get that touchdown this last game. I was proud of him.”

Giants injury report: Sterling Shepard designated to return from IR

The New York Giants have designated WR Sterling Shepard (toe) to return from IR and he was participating in Tuesday’s practice.

The New York Giants took the field on Tuesday for their only open practice (see: walkthrough) of the week and the injury news seemed generally positive.

As expected, wide receiver Sterling Shepard (toe) had his helmet on and was participating, which means the Giants have designated him to return and begun his 21-day window for activation.

New York has until Thursday at 4:00 p.m. ET to return Shepard to their 53-man roster in order for him to play in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Head coach Joe Judge has stated previously that be a game-day decision.

“Being a walkthrough week for us, we’ll have to go really based on what the trainers tell us,” Judge said on Monday. “We’ll have to go ahead and look at him. We’ll see. This could go up to a pregame workout. We’re not sure. We’ll see where he’s at throughout the week.”

In addition to Shepard, veteran cornerback Brandon Williams (groin) also returned to practice on Tuesday, starting his 21-day activation window.

The full practice report, with updates on wide receiver Darius Slayton (foot) and linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring), will be published shortly, so check back for that news.

Did not practice:

Limited participant:

Full participant:

[lawrence-related id=657978,657780,657974]

‘Mr. Irrelevant’ no more, Tae Crowder introduces himself to NFL

New York Giants rookie LB Tae Crowder is motivated by the “Mr. Irrelevant” moniker, which he all but shed with a big Week 6 performance.

New York Giants rookie linebacker Tae Crowder, who has been called upon to play more snaps in recent weeks, had the game of a lifetime on Sunday against the Washington Football Team.

Crowder recorded 10 tackles (six solo), which was good for second on the team, as well as a fumble recovery and game-winning touchdown.

“I have to say big ups to my teammate Kyler Fackrell for making a big play, a strip-sack on the quarterback and I was in the right place at the right time. Just trying to make a play for my team,” Crowder said humbly after the game, also crediting fellow rookie linebacker Cam Brown with a good block on the play.

As the very last pick (No. 255) in the 2020 NFL Draft, Crowder earned the popular NFL moniker, “Mr. Irrelevant,” which is annually bestowed upon the final draft pick.

From moment one, Crowder has embraced all that comes with the “Mr. Irrelevant” label, but his teammates scoff at the name.

“It’s funny that you call him ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ because he’s been doing a lot for us,” defensive lineman Leonard Williams told reporters. “I think since he came in, he’s been the quiet guy just working hard and he slowly has worked his way up to playing with the defense.

“He’s built his trust up with his teammates and he went out there and made a huge play today, and it was possibly the deciding factor of the game. That late in the game when it was that tight, we needed a huge play and the defense delivered. It was huge for him to not just dive on that ball and be okay with that, he picked it up and made a big play and we needed it.”

Crowder has no issues with the nickname, however. In fact, it has only served to motivate him.

“I took it as motivation. I love the name, I just wanted to get here, get to work with my team. One of my goals for this year was to help the team in any way I can. I thank God for coming to work each day and going to work with my team,” Crowder said.

Crowder may have to find his motivation elsewhere now — something that shouldn’t be a problem — because he’s “Mr. Irrelevant” no more.

[vertical-gallery id=657890]

Giants-Washington Week 6: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The New York Giants won their Week 6 game against Washington. Here are the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams.

The New York Giants picked up their first win of the season on Sunday, defeating the Washington Football Team, 20-19, at MetLife Stadium.

It wasn’t exactly a pretty win for the Giants, but it was another step forward and showed continuing progress. And after five straight losses, the taste of victory must be sweet.

Here’s a look at the snap counts that attributed to their first W.

Offensive snaps: 48
Defensive snaps: 73
Special teams snaps: 22

Undrafted rookie receiver Austin Mack out-snapping veteran Golden Tate 36-30 immediately leaps off the page. Tate has been a disappointment this season and his playing time is beginning to dwindle as a result.

Meanwhile, running backs Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman have seen their roles almost entirely vanish in favor of Devonta Freeman, who took 73% of all offensive snaps.

In his return, linebacker David Mayo took just 11 defensive snaps, while rookie linebacker Tae Crowder has all but established himself as a starter.

Linebacker Markus Golden, who had seen his role increase in recent weeks, took just 24 snaps.

[vertical-gallery id=657890]

Giants vs. Washington Player of the Game: Tae Crowder

The New York Giants defeated the Washington Football Team in Week 6 and rookie LB Tae Crowder earns out Player of the Game.

For the first time since Week 16 of the 2019 season, the New York Giants have won a football game.

The Giants were able to end their five-game skid to start the 2020 season and get their first win of the year with a 20-19 victory at MetLife Stadium over the Washington Football Team.

With the win, head coach Joe Judge was able to secure his first win as an NFL head coach and hopefully, he’ll be able to celebrate a few more of those this season.

The biggest play of the game, and probably the turning point, was late in the fourth quarter when linebacker Kyler Fackrell hit Washington quarterback Kyle Allen, which jarred the ball loose and into the hands of rookie linebacker Tae Crowder.

Crowder picked it up 43 yards and returned it for the go-ahead touchdown.

This game nearly went to overtime when Allen threw what was the potential game-tying touchdown with 36 seconds left, but he couldn’t convert on the two-point conversion. Instead, the Giants held on by the skin of their teeth.

Crowder finished the game with 10 total tackles, six of which were solo tackles and a huge fumble recovery for the game-winning touchdown.

The win was ugly, but the Giants at least have their first victory of 2020.

[lawrence-related id=657789,657843]

Giants defeat Washington, 20-19: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the New York Giants’ 20-19 Week 6 victory over the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium.

It was a battle for last place in the NFC East, which is suddenly the worst division in the NFL. This game didn’t do much to change that. Two offenses that continue to be challenged faced off in an ugly game between two lost franchises that will likely be drafting in the first hour of next year’s NFL Draft.

The 20-19 victory was the first of the Joe Judge era and it came right down to the wire. The Giants are now 1-5 on the season and are very much alive in the division right now.

The Giants’ offense is still in small ball mode. Jones passed for only 112 yards on 12-of-19 passing. He threw a beautiful 23-yard touchdown pass to Darius Slayton in the first quarter which incidentally was his longest completion of the day.

Jones failed to play a clean game again however, tossing an interception in the red zone on a pass he though he was throwing out of the end zone. The replay showed that WFT’s Kendall Fuller was not in bounds, but Jones should have not put that ball anyplace where it could be picked off.

The Giants played fairly well on defense, but considering that Washington started Kyle Allen at quarterback, it’s difficult to crow about.

Kyler Fackrell’s fourth quarter sack of Allen dislodged the ball which was scooped by rookie linebacker Tae Crowder for a 43-yard return for the winning score.

Of course, the game was far from over at that point. Washington came down the field and scored a touchdown to narrow the score to 20-19, but head coach Ron Rivera rolled the dice on two-point conversion try in an attempt to win the ballgame. It failed and the Giants stayed out of last place.

Notes

  • First round draft pick Andrew Thomas did not start at left tackle. Third rounder Matt Peart got the nod but the two rotated throughout the game. Thomas has been embarrassing bad so far in his rookie season, almost to the point where the Giants and their fans are wondering if they made the right pick here.
  • Jones led the Giants in rushing again with 74 yards on seven attempts buoyed by a 49-yard ramble.
  • Darius Slayton toughed it out with a foot injury and then had his leg bent backwards making a catch.
  • Wide receiver C.J. Board suffered a concussion and a sprained neck and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
  • The Giants came into the game 31st in red zone efficiency (30.8%) and went 0-3 in this game.

[lawrence-related id=657843,657771]

Giants’ Kyler Fackrell prepared to carry the load at linebacker

New York Giants LB Kyler Fackrell says he is prepared to carry the load after the team lost several linebackers to injury.

[jwplayer mBxpxGO4-ThvAeFxT]

The New York Giants came into the 2020 regular season somewhat thin at linebacker and things have only gotten worse since then.

David Mayo (knee) and Oshane Ximines (shoulder) remain on injured reserve, and Lorenzo Carter has been lost for the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 5.

That leaves the Giants in a somewhat precarious position, which is something Kyler Fackrell, who was signed as a free agent earlier this year, openly admits.

“I feel for Zo. We’ve had him in our thoughts and prayers,” Fackrell told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s rough, we’re a little thin at outside backer right now. Maybe just a little bit, I think I ended up playing every snap on Sunday.”

Playing every snap in the NFL is a tall order, but Fackrell is prepared to shoulder that burden over the next several weeks if it’s what the Giants ultimately need. And they may.

“I think that will be the plan moving forward, at least that’s what I’m preparing for. I don’t mind it. I would prefer to be on the field,” he said.

In the interim, the Giants may also boost the roles of rookie linebacker Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin, as well as Tae Crowder, who plays more on the inside.

It’s not an ideal scenario for late-round rookies to see a lot of field time, but circumstances dictate that need. And Fackrell feels confident that if called upon, they can hold their own.

“[Coughling and Brown] done a great job, even through training camp and everything. I feel for the rookies this year with how everything has been with COVID-19 and not getting any offseason. I feel like they have come in at a big disadvantage,” Fackrell said. “They’ve both done a great job. I think both of them have started to blossom here, just getting comfortable with the speed of the game and everything. I think definitely we can rely on them to step in when we need them to on defense.

“[Crowder] a really talented guy, I think he has a great nose for the ball. His confidence has been building. It started with special teams, but they’ve kind of chosen to give him that bigger role. I think he has stepped into it really well.”

Even with the rookies likely seeing increased roles, the burden ultimately falls on the shoulders of Fackrell and veteran Markus Golden, both of whom are ready to step up and do what’s needed.

[lawrence-related id=657544,657516,657549]

Darius Slayton, James Bradberry were highest-graded Giants in Week 5

WR Darius Slayton and CB James Bradberry were the highest-graded New York Giants in a Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

[jwplayer 1VluAHxZ-ThvAeFxT]

The New York Giants experienced another mixed bag in a Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Their offense finally stepped up to the plate, but it was their defense that ultimately let them down.

It was just the latest example of the Giants failing to put things all together and ending up with another loss.

On the positive side of things, wide receiver Darius Slayton had one of the best games of his career (8 receptions for 129 yards) and that was reflected in the Pro Football Focus grades. Slayton earned a team-high grade of 91.6.

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback James Bradberry led the charge with an overall grade of 77.9, including a coverage grade of 791. And even that seems low for a guy who completely shut down Amari Cooper.

Also checking in with an impressive grade was punter Riley Dixon, who earned an 87.9 for his beautiful touchdown pass to tight end Evan Engram on a fake field goal (the play was negated due to a penalty).

Meanwhile, quarterback Daniel Jones earned an overall grade of 68.6, defensive tackle Leonard Williams a grade of 74.6 and safety Jabrill Peppers a grade of 73.5.

The lowest-graded Giants of Week 5 were linebackers Tae Crowder (28.0) and Devante Down (32.4), and cornerback Ryan Lewis (33.8).

The lowest-graded offensive players were center Nick Gates (42.6) and wide receiver Damion Ratley (49.0).

[lawrence-related id=657474,657462,657403]

Giants injury report: Golden Tate listed as questionable

New York Giants WR Golden Tate is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, while DB Adrian Colbert has been ruled out.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field for the final time ahead of a Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, and all eyes were on wide receiver Golden Tate.

Tate, who missed a Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a hamstring injury, appeared to ratchet up his participation, but head coach Joe Judge sounded less than optimistic about his chances to play.

“Obviously, I’m expecting him to practice today like he has the rest of the week. We’ll take a look at him today and see how he looks in practice. But he’s been working hard with the trainers and has progressed nicely,” Judge said, refusing to commit to Tate one way or the other.

It’s likely that Tate, who is listed as questionable, will be a game-time decision.

Joining Tate with a questionable designation is rookie linebacker Carter Coughlin, who made his NFL debut in Week 1, primarily playing on special teams. He has been limited this week with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, veteran defensive back Adrian Colbert, who was added to the injury report on Thursday, is out with a quad injury.

Finally, rookie linebacker Tae Crowder, who was inactive on Monday night and missed practice last week due to a hamstring injury, did not receive a designation and appears cleared to play.

[lawrence-related id=655991,655978,655951]