If New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux played the Washington Commanders every week, he’d make Lawrence Taylor or Ray Lewis look pedestrian.
We’re not exaggerating. Thibodeaux enters Sunday with six sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits against the Giants’ longtime NFC East rival. That’s a 20-sack, 34-tackle-for-loss pace over a 17-game season, and we’re sure John Harbaugh would also appreciate the 37 quarterback hits.
For now, though, Harbaugh should be glad if Thibodeaux finally makes his way into the backfield and wreaks havoc for an inconsistent Giants defense.
Can New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux continue dominating the Washington Commanders?
Expectations weren’t exactly high for Thibodeaux entering a contract season, but it’d be uncharacteristically generous of us to say he’s underwhelmed. Not only has the ex-Oregon standout yet to record a sack, but he also hasn’t recorded a tackle for loss despite playing 66 percent of the Giants’ defensive snaps.
Although defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson isn’t concerned, he also implied the 2022 No. 5 pick must “earn the right” to be a pass rusher.
“He’s been around the quarterback, but at times we have to convert a little bit better, and he will,” Wilson told reporters. “It’s coming. It’s coming for him. His speed is still there. I love his power.”
If Wilson thinks highly of Thibodeaux’s speed and power, then why aren’t the Giants unleashing him on passing downs? Keep in mind they already lost Brian Burns to a season-ending knee injury and could be without defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (neck) on Sunday afternoon. Common sense suggests Wilson and Harbaugh would want Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter rushing the quarterback.
Granted, Thibodeaux’s 2.5 sacks last year marked his fewest since his rookie year, but the coaching staff can’t have it both ways. Harbaugh quickly proved he won’t be stubborn and stick with last year’s notable contributors, whether that means benching Tyrone Tracy Jr. or cutting Darius Slayton.
The Giants elected to keep Thibodeaux rather than trade him to the Saints this past spring, and he’s responded with four mediocre games.
“If you’re not a starter in one package and you’re playing, you’re a starter to me,” Wilson said. “So it should be no letup if you’re in and you’re playing, or your responsibilities become more as the season goes.”
All of that reads like a word salad to us. If the Giants don’t trust Thibodeaux as a pass rusher, then wouldn’t it make more sense to add one via trade or the waiver wire? But they’re also saying that they do believe in him and that he’ll eventually get his sacks.
We don’t get it, but the Giants have an opportunity to match last year’s win total on Sunday, so maybe we don’t need to understand.
Add us as a preferred source on Google