Xavier McKinney loves Giants’ defensive approach under Wink Martindale

It’ll be all hands on deck for the NY Giants secondary in 2022 following the release of veteran starters James Bradberry and Logan Ryan.

With most of the rotation composed of first- and second-year players, Adoree Jackson and Xavier McKinney will really have to step up as leaders. A promising sign for what’s to come? The early reports from organized team activities suggests Jackson is making a seamless transition embracing a leadership role.

Though Jackson’s only entering his second year with the franchise, he was a four-year starter in Tennessee before he signed with New York last offseason so he’s already performed the role of an up-and-coming defensive back.

McKinney, on the other hand, is more of a lead-by-example player and the 2020 second-round pick did just that last year as the only defensive back in the NFL to finish with at least 90 tackles, 10 passes defended and five interceptions.

The Alabama product can be expected to take another leap under new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Why do we say that? Because McKinney is absolutely loving the Giants’ approach under the defensive mastermind.

Xavier McKinney is loving the Giants’ aggressive approach on defense under Wink Martindale.

"“I think we’re all enjoying it,” McKinney said of Martindale’s defense. “You know, just so much aggression. It’s just giving us energy. We’re able to go out there and play without worrying about making mistakes, so it’s just giving us a lot of freedom to just go play, go attack and be the play-makers that we have on our defense. It’s been fun and we’ve loved every bit of it.”“Yeah, like I said, we love it because ultimately as a defense, that’s what we want to do [be aggressive]. We want to make the offense make mistakes, not us wait for them to make mistakes, so we want them to make a mistake off of what we do and how we bring that aggression towards them.”"

Inject that right into our veins, please. McKinney, who recorded an interception at practice earlier in the week, makes it clear his defensive teammates prefer forcing the issue instead of sitting back and letting an offense control the tempo.

It almost sounds like the Giants were afraid to be aggressive and make mistakes last season. With the ever-evolving speed of the NFL, that kind of second-guessing – like not knowing whether to jump a route or play it safe and give up a five-yard reception – will only lead to mental mistakes and fewer (if any) turnovers.

The defense won’t be that black and white under Martinale, obviously, as the 59-year-old has mastered the art of deception and throwing teams different looks. As someone with the versatility to play free safety, cover the slot and man the box as a hybrid linebacker, McKinney could be the biggest beneficiary of Martindale’s scheme.

At the very least, the fact McKinney, the de facto leader of the defense, has already endorsed Wink’s philosophy is great news for the Giants.

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