Tag: Trevon Diggs

Giants’ Malik Nabers draws praise from Odell Beckham Jr., Trevon Diggs

New York Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers drew high praise from Odell Beckham Jr. and Dallas Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs on Thursday night.

When the New York Giants selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft they knew he would be something special.

Nabers is certainly making a case for Rookie of the Year honors with his play over the last few weeks, which has resulted in praise from former Giants’ stud Odell Beckham Jr.

So far this season, Nabers has roped in 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Before last night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 271 yards receiving, which was good enough for sixth in receiving yards.

After recording 115 receiving yards on Thursday night, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs said he’s impressed with the rookie and is looking forward to the battles he will have with Nabers going forward.

The Cowboys extended Diggs’ rookie contract through 2028, so he and Nabers will meet at least twice a year for the next four years. Longer if they both stay with their respective teams beyond their current contracts.

It’s no secret that Nabers has whatever the secret sauce is that makes a receiver great. He has natural athletic ability, solid instincts and is already making better decisions during the game. He has become a reliable option for Daniel Jones, and he draws the attention of other teams making it easier for Jones to hit other targets like Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson.

It didn’t pan out like most people thought it would against the Cowboys on Monday night, but this Giants team is much improved over last year, and Nabers is a big reason why.

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Malik Nabers on offseason exchange with Trevon Diggs: ‘It’s game time now’

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers isn’t talking about his offseason exchange with Dallas Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs anymore: “It’s game time now.”

New York Giants rookie sensation Malik Nabers knows very little of the history between his new team and their opponent this Thursday night, the Dallas Cowboys.

As a kid growing up in Louisiana who played both his high school and college ball there, the recently turned 21-year-old can’t be expected to know the last 64 years of history between the Giants and Cowboys. Heck, most seasoned Giant fans don’t even know it.

“It’s a regular game,” Nabers told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s football. A game is a game. Every time I go out there, a game is a game. No matter what day it is, a game is a game.”

But, it’s Dallas. National television. It’s always been more than a game.

For years, the Giants would wear white at home just to force the Cowboys to wear their blue jerseys in an attempt to knock them from their comfort zone.

And that comfort zone has been pretty comfortable for the Cowboys this decade. They own a six-game winning streak over the Giants and have been victorious in 13 of the last 14 meetings with Big Blue.

Nabers is likely being told by the team that this game against Dallas is of the utmost importance to both the organization and the fans. Given the recent skein against them, the Giants really need to win this game for many a reason.

“It’s a conference game, so it’s going always feel good to go against your conference, try to get a win out there,” said Nabers.

The Giants and the Cowboys are both 1-2 entering this game with each team’s only win coming against the Cleveland Browns. The Giants squandered their Week 2 game against Washington and were completely outclassed by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.

After Dallas disposed of the Browns in the opener, they got boat-raced by the New Orleans Saints and then steamrolled by the Baltimore Ravens last week.

Nabers, who is setting records three weeks into his young career, told reporters that he’s “just excited to go out and play” and was having a lot of fun so far.

As for his offseason back-and-forth with Cowboys cornerback Tevon Diggs? That was all fun and games, too.

“It is what it is,” Nabers said, via the New York Post. “I don’t really want to talk about it. It’s game time now.”

The Giants hope the fun continues on Thursday against an opponent in which they’ve had anything but fun against the last seven years.

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Giants vs. Cowboys: 3 causes for concern in Week 4

The New York Giants square off in a Thursday night battle against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Here are three reasons for concern.

The New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 4 of the NFL season.

The Giants are fresh off their first win of the year this past Sunday in Cleveland. Meanwhile, Dallas just dropped their second game in a row, so both teams will enter Thursday’s divisional matchup with an identical 1-2 record.

Despite the game being at MetLife Stadium, the Giants have opened up as home underdogs against their rivals. This will be the first of the two matchups between the two teams this season, the second one coming on Thanksgiving Day.

The game certainly picked up a little more steam with the Giants winning on Sunday and coming in at 1-2 instead of 0-3.

With the division rivals facing off on Thursday, here are three causes for concern.

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Trevon Diggs

Trevon Diggs is a ballhawk who has a knack for forcing turnovers against the Giants. In Diggs’ last five games against the Giants, he has three interceptions and a forced fumble.

With the Giants going to Malik Nabers early and often, the Cowboys are likely going to try and get a takeaway off of Nabers. New York will have to be careful and Head Coach Brian Daboll may have to get creative in getting Nabers the ball without risking a turnover.

Daniel Jones had a good day on the stat book in Week 3 against the Browns. However, he had an interception on the team’s first offensive play of the game that was called back due to a penalty, and two other balls that easily could have been picked off — one being Nabers’ most impressive catch of the day, stealing the ball from the defender’s hands.

The Giants must protect the ball on Thursday at all costs.

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Giants secondary

The Giants came into the season with a belief in Deonte Banks as a strong No. 1 cornerback after an impressive rookie season.

Banks was torched by Amari Cooper and looked lost on the field on Sunday. And the Cowboys rank first in the league in passing yards per game.

The road will not get any easier on Thursday as CeeDee Lamb will visit MetLife Stadium. Lamb plays well against the Giants and Banks will have to step up to slow him down.

Lamb has seen at least nine targets in four of his last five games against the Giants and with the Cowboys’ running game not what it used to be, he will likely see a heavy workload on Thursday.

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Special Teams

The Giants have had issues on special teams the last few weeks. In Week 2, they lost their kicker, Graham Gano, on the first play of the game.

With Gano on IR, the Giants signed Greg Joseph to fill in. Joseph naturally continued the Giants special teams woes on Sunday by missing a kick with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, which would have made it a two-possession game.

Head coach Brian Daboll was noncommittal on Joseph being the kicker in Week 4 on Monday despite the game just a few days away.

The Giants have also had their fair share of issues at both kick returner and punt returner over the last two weeks, including a fumble on the opening kickoff this past Sunday which quickly put Big Blue behind in the game Sunday.

The Giants will need to clean up the special teams miscues going into Thursday.

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Gimme Him: One player Giants would steal from Cowboys

The New York Giants are in desperate need of improvements at cornerback, so stealing this player from the Dallas Cowboys was an easy choice.

The New York Giants (1-2) will host the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Thursday night in a Week 4 primetime battle.

That, of course, provides those of us here at Giants Wire the opportunity to hypothetically steal from the Cowboys’ roster in search of depth and/or talent upgrades for Big Blue.

You always want to take linebacker Micah Parsons in this scenario but with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns under contract, it’s more of a want than an actual need.

There are also guards Tyler Smith and Zack Martin, but they fall into the same category as Parsons.

Truth be told? The Cowboys’ overall roster isn’t as alluring as it once was. With the Giants having addressed several areas of need and Dallas doing very little this past offseason, the pickings are slim — much slimmer than they’ve been in recent years.

We could go the easy route and take quarterback Dak Prescott but even that doesn’t feel like a game-changer at this point. So, instead, we’ll upgrade the cornerback position with the theft of Trevon Diggs.

Diggs is not off to the best start this season and has struggled mightily against the run, but he would still be a major upgrade alongside Deonte Banks, who also struggled against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.

The two-time All-Pro earned his highest overall grade in 2023 (80.7) and is likely to rebound throughout this season. Still just 26 years old, Diggs is in the prime of his career and the Giants would benefit greatly from his tight coverage and ball-hawking ability.

What are your thoughts, Giants fans? Would you pick Trevon Diggs or would you steal an entirely different player from the Dallas Cowboys?

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Ravens vs. Cowboys: Top photos from 28-25 win at AT&T Stadium

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 28-25 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium

For one week, we thought John Harbaugh’s team would be entering the 2024 regular season.

All-world running back Derrick Henry ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson logged a passing and rushing score, and the Baltimore Ravens held on for a 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday after blowing a 22-point fourth-quarter lead.

Baltimore (1-2) scored touchdowns on their first two drives, while the Cowboys (1-2) have allowed 120 points in their past three home games.

With the final results, here are the top photos from Sunday’s massive win.

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3 keys for Ravens offense vs. Cowboys defense in Week 3

We’re looking at three keys for the Baltimore Ravens offense against the Dallas Cowboys defense on Sunday

The Ravens are in Dallas for a must-win afternoon delight against a Cowboys team looking to regroup after a 44-19 loss to the Saints in Week 2 at AT&T Stadium. Baltimore has a versatile offense, but Todd Monken’s unit’s strengths mesh well with what the Cowboys struggle to defend consistently.

With pregame warmups fast approaching, we’re looking at three keys for the Ravens’ offense against the Cowboys’ defense.

Locate Micah Parsons:

The Cowboys star pass rusher joked about being the spy on quarterback Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens would love for Parsons to spend more time in coverage than rushing the passer.

Feed Derrick Henry:

Saints running back Alvin Kamara logged 20 carries for 115 rushing yards and four total touchdowns against Dallas’ banged-up defense.   Henry needs a breakout performance, and the Dallas defense is the perfect recipe.

Tight ends are your friends

Baltimore has two of the NFL’s top tight ends, and with the Cowboys utilizing Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis to lock up opposing wide receivers, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely could feast on the safeties and linebackers.

NFL Week 3 Injury Report: Final updates on Cowboys Jake Ferguson, Trevon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb vs Ravens

The Cowboys finalize preparations for the Baltimore Ravens’ visit, here’s a look at both team’s health status. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys are trending in the right direction when it comes to player availability for Sunday’s crucial early season contest. In danger of dropping to 1-2 on the young season, the Cowboys have a rather extensive injury report this week for having played just two games. Fortunately it looks like many of the players who have appeared on the reports throughout the week are preparing to play, including tight end Jake Ferguson who missed last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Dallas’ passing offense ground to a halt with only CeeDee Lamb giving the team much of anything until garbage time in the 44-19 blowout. Without Ferguson as a seam threat, the team bogged down once again, leading to four Brandon Aubrey field goals. Lamb missed practice earlier in the week, but it looks like both are going to be at Dak Prescott’s disposal against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

In fact of the 14 players listed this week, 11 of them have No Game Designation, meaning they are completely good to go. The other three players are listed as questionable.

  • WR Jalen Brooks (Ankle): Questionable
    Wednesday: N/A | Thursday: Limited | Friday: Limited
  • DT Mazi Smith (Back): Questionable
    Wednesday: DNP | Thursday: DNP | Friday: Limited
  • TE John Stephens (Hamstring): Questionable
    Limited throughout the week
  • WR CeeDee Lamb (Ankle): No Designation
    Wednesday: DNP | Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full
  • TE Jake Ferguson (Knee): No Designation
    Wednesday: Limited | Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full
  • S Malik Hooker (Shoulder): No Designation
    Wednesday: Limited | Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full
  • CB Trevon Diggs (Foot): No Designation
    Wednesday: DNP | Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full
  • DE Marshawn Kneeland (Calf): No Designation
    Practices in Full all week
  • RG Zack Martin (Knee): No Designation
    Wednesday: Limited | Thursday: Full | Friday: Full
  • WR Brandin Cooks, LB Eric Kendricks, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, DE Tyrus Wheat were all held out Wednesday for non-injury reasons

For the Baltimore Ravens, they will be without guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, who will be out for personal reasonss. WR Deonte Harty (Calf), OLB David Ojabo (Quad) and CB Nate Wiggins (Neck/Concussion) are all questionable.

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Cowboys Injury Report: Lamb, Diggs return to practice but will they play vs Ravens?

A look at the latest injury news as the Cowboys finalize preparations for the Baltimore Ravens’ visit. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys returned to the practice field Thursday, and they had a much higher participation rate than they did on Wednesday. Preparing for their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon, the club welcomed back some star power to the fold, even if a sizable portion didn’t fully participate.

On Wednesday, the team hit the field without notable contributors such as WR CeeDee Lamb and CB Trevon Diggs, both missing Wednesday’s work with injuries suffered in their blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Thursday saw their return, in a limited capacity. In addition, there was a step forward for some veterans who, thanks to a vet day off, got to heal some aches and nicks.

RG Zack Martin was among the group of four and the only one who also was listed with an injury. His NIR had a “knee” addendum, but he returned in full on Thursday.

TE Jake Ferguson, continued to be listed as limited as he tries to work back from his Week 1 MCL sprain. One of his backups, John Stephens, has been limited both days as he looks to make his 2024 season debut and is dealing with a hamstring injury.

The worst injury news is that DT Mazi Smith has been out both days dealing with a back injury. The team’s interior defenders got embarrassed against the Saints and really haven’t played well in either game. Jordan Phillips was moved to IR on Wednesday, amidst controversy that he doesn’t really have an injured wrist. The team signed former contributor Carlos Watkins in a corresponding move.

Here’s a look at the complete injury report from Thursday.

Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs has blithe response to challenge of guarding Chris Olave

Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs had a blithe response to the challenge of guarding Chris Olave: ‘Is that a trick question?’

Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys has a couple of marquee matchups, but Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs isn’t sweating the task of guarding Saints wideout Chris Olave. Diggs responded with indifference when asked what challenges Olave presents as New Orleans’ No. 1 wide receiver.

“Is that a trick question?” Diggs replied. When pressed, he responded, “He’s a good player.”

Fans looking for disrespect are going to find it in a statement like that, though you could just as easily read Diggs’ comments as quiet confidence. He’s earned that swagger after intercepting 19 passes through his first 48 games, which won him two Pro Bowls and a spot on the All-Pro first team in 2021. If Diggs isn’t eager to talk his opponent up too highly, well — that’s his choice.

At the same time, it’s not like Diggs is an invincible cover corner. He’s known as a gambler with as many big takeaways and clutch pass breakups as big completions allowed into his coverage. Pro Football Reference found that he led the league in receiving yards given up (907) during that same 2021 season he won All-Pro recognition. And the gap between Diggs and the next-ranked cornerback, James Bradberry, was almost as wide as that between  Bradberry and the sixth-ranked corner.

But it’s a new year. Diggs didn’t allow nearly as many yards in 2022 and he missed all but two games in 2023 due to injury. He had an interception in the season opener last week while yielding just 19 yards in coverage on 11  targets, so he’s clearly playing well right now. The Saints should be looking to lean on their run game against the Cowboys, but there will times when they need to complete a pass. It would be awful vindicating for his fans if Olave can get the better of this matchup when the ball goes his way.

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‘This ain’t nothing yet’: Cowboys rookie CB promises bumpy ride for opposing QBs after Week 1 lockdown

From @ToddBrock24f7: Caelen Carson didn’t look like a rookie in his first NFL game; Trevon Diggs says the Cowboys D showed just a fraction of its calls Sunday.

No one knew what to expect, really. It was Week 1, playing an unfamiliar opponent, facing a quarterback capable of lighting it up any given week and a talented receiving corps that included a 1,000-yard threat who wanted to show up the team that once shipped him out of town.

It had the potential to be a wild and bumpy ride.

Good thing the Cowboys invested in a Seat Belt this offseason.

In his NFL debut, rookie cornerback Caelen Carson lived up to the nickname given to him at Wake Forest and was instrumental in restraining the Browns’ air attack in the Cowboys’ 33-17 opening day win. The dominant Dallas defense limited Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson to a meager 3.75 yards per attempt and a 51.1 passer rating on the day, looking nothing like a fifth-round DB making his first pro appearance.

“Honestly, I didn’t know how the first game was going to go,” Carson said after the win, “but I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to come in here scared.”

The 22-year-old more than held his own despite being matched up against five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper, with Carson holding the former Cowboy to just 16 yards and breaking up as many passes- two- as he let Cooper catch.

And he nearly came away with two interceptions.

“I didn’t capitalize on my opportunities today,” the rookie confessed. “I think I played okay, but I’ve got to capitalize on the opportunities. That’s the biggest thing with a Cowboys defense- turnovers.”

Fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs was quick to point out Carson’s near-misses, interrupting the youngster’s Q&A session with reporters with an announcement of his own:

“He owes, like, 70 push-ups!” Diggs reported with a laugh.

The fifth-year All-Pro had plenty to smile about on Sunday, making his return to the field after an ACL tear suffered in practice last September

“Tears of joy,” Diggs said at his locker. “Just thankful to be back. I’ve been gone for so long… I had a lot of emotions.”

And he made the most of it, nabbing his first pick in 357 days.

It was quite a performance, especially considering that neither of the Cowboys’ starting cornerbacks for the majority of the 2023 season were even on the field. DaRon Bland is out for several more weeks with a foot fracture; Stephon Gilmore was not re-signed by the team.

But Diggs showed no ill effects from his knee injury, and Carson showed no fear as a first-timer, and the result was a near-total lockdown of the Cleveland passing game.

“We pressured the quarterback a lot, so we got him off his game,” said Carson. “And then for the outside pieces- the receivers- the timing was off, everything was off. It helped us a lot. I think the back end played well, too. All phases of the defensed played well.”

But both men vowed that it’s just the beginning.

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“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Carson predicted. “We’ve got a lot of improvement to do, get back in the film room. There’s going to be more to come.”

Diggs confirmed that the Cowboys defense, now under the command of coordinator Mike Zimmer, has plenty more that never even came out of the toolbox on Sunday.

“That was just a little sample,” he explained. “Man, we’ve got, like, 50 calls. We only ran probably three of them.”

Maybe it’s the Cowboys’ opponents who should be buckling up for a bumpy ride.

“I left a lot of plays out there. So, a lot more plays to come,” promised the talented youngster they call Seat Belt.

“A lot more to come. This ain’t nothing yet.”

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