The Giants lost 4 defensive backs last night in Cincinnati. Two safeties and two corners. Two positions that were thin to begin with. Rookie safety tandem Landon Collins and Mykkele Thompson both left the field. Collins will be out for several weeks with an MCL sprain while Thompson’s season is over due to a ruptured achilles. Trumaine Mcbride strained his hamstring and Jayron Hosley suffered a concussion.
The Giants need to be weary with Landon Collins. They are expecting a lot from the rookie safety, if they rush him back too early it could be disastrous. Collins’ presence as a run supporting safety was is something the Giants need after finishing dead last against the run last season. Cooper Taylor must step in for Collins and be the leader of this young secondary. Taylor had a sack against the Bengals and he showed great awareness, speed, and range on the play. He has an opportunity to step in and claim a starting role on the back end for Big Blue.
Jun 16, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Mykkele Thompson (33) participates in practice during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports
Thompson ruptured his achilles tendon and his NFL career will be on hold until 2016. The Giants were hoping Thompson could contribute on special teams and in the secondary this season. Now they’re looking for his replacement. It is an unfortunate turn of events for any player, especially a rookie looking to make an impact and develop his skills as a professional.
Trumaine Mcbride has played well during his time as a Giant. Unfortunately he missed 10 games in 2014 and he is off to a bad start in 2015. McBride is a reliable slot corner and his absence leaves a big question mark in the secondary.
Jayron Hosley has not done much of anything as a Giant. He looked better last night but nothing overly impressive. If he can’t come back from his concussion his Giants’ career will likelyy be over.
Bennett Jackson and Justin Currie played well last night and both play the safety position. Jackson led the Giants defense with 6 tackles . His closing speed impressed me last night he will have every opportunity to take more playing time in the wake of Thompson’s injury. Justin Currie showed some good speed last night as well. He does not shy away from contact. There were a few plays where he took questionable angles to the ball carrier but that can be fixed. He has an uphill battle to make this roster but his chances just got better.
Chykie Brown, Chandler Fenner, Tevin Wade, Mike Harris, and Josh Gordy now all have an opportunity to show their value to the team. Not all 5 of them will make the roster and if one of them can step up and handle the nickel spot in particular they can definitely improve their chances.
Tevin Wade had a pick and had chances for two more but couldn’t haul them in. Fenner looked pretty bad on consecutive plays. The first should have been called pass interference on him and the next play he gave up 17 yards and a first down. He had one missed tackle in particular where he went up high on the ball carrier and attempted an arm tackle. He did still have 4 tackles including a nice open field tackle on punt coverage.
At least one guy has to step up big for the Giants secondary, if no one does the Giants will be vulnerable on the back end.