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Revamped Giants Secondary Taking Shape

By Stephen Tsamblakos

Aug 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) in a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) in a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants will open the season with a revamped defensive secondary, hopefully reversing one of several team weak spots in 2015. Veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was dinged up often last year, but the ninth-year cornerback is now healthy and slated to start opposite the Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant opening night. On the right side, former first-rounder Prince Amukamara departed for sunny Jacksonville after the team elected to bring in Janoris Jenkins from the then-St. Louis Rams. In an interview published on Giants.com on August 3, 2016, cornerbacks’ coach Tim Walton said, “the team is very happy with what [Jenkins] brought to the table thus far.”

Giants’ first-round draft pick Eli Apple (10th overall) figures to find his way on the field in nickel situations in the secondary, as DRC shifts to the slot position. Trevin Wade and the recently signed Leon Hall will also compete for playing time. The Giants typically carry five corners, so the undersized Donte Deayon may have to return to the Giants’ practice squad.

Secondary Concerns at Safety

The team has one returning starter at safety in Landon Collins, who had an up and down year. Collins thrived against the run, but often struggled to defend the pass. His dropped game-winning interception against the New England Patriots immediately comes to mind. The Giants signed Brandon Meriweather off the scrap heap late in training camp last year to start next to Collins. However, he turned out to be a disappointment, blowing coverages and missing tackles frequently.

Oct 19, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants free safety Landon Collins (21) reacts after an interception during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants now list rookie Darian Thompson as the starting free safety on the team’s first depth chart. It is clear he is not taking the opportunity for granted. Thompson said, “learning the playbook has been my focus in training camp”, in an interview posted on Giants.com on August 9, 2016. Nat Berhe, Mykkele Thompson, and Bennett Jackson are all coming back from stints on injured reserve. Each of them are competing for backup jobs and could play a significant role in the secondary. Interestingly, the Giants have used deployed a three-safety look in the past. One of the three safeties then drops down to play the slot, instead of a third cornerback. This may be another option for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the future.

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