The New York Giants had five interceptions last season. That’s it. You don’t need a defensive coordinator’s breakdown to understand how bad that is. Man, you don't even need two hands to know how bad that is. It’s why Shane Bowen has been hammering the turnover message since OTAs, and why Dane Belton’s summer has actually mattered.
The fourth-year safety has been everywhere. Multiple interceptions in OTAs. Another during training camp. If the football’s near him, it’s usually going right into the new turnover chest. He’s having the kind of offseason that forces people to notice, even if he wasn't even supposed to make the roster.
The thing is, being a turnover machine is only part of the job. Jevón Holland and Tyler Nubin aren’t coming off the field because Belton picked off a couple of passes in shorts. The G-Men need a reliable backup, not just a human highlight reel. No matter how electric and desperate the team is for turnovers.
Dane Belton’s highlight reel has to come with consistency
Belton’s role is pretty straightforward. He’s backing up Holland and Nubin, probably seeing most of his snaps in three-safety looks or when the starters need a breather. That means his tape has to show more than just the INTs. Holding up in coverage, being in the right spot, and making tackles in space will keep him on the field just as much as jumping a route.
Bowen’s defense thrives on trust. Belton has shown he clearly has the instincts to take the football away, but those same instincts have to be paired with clean assignments. If he’s gambling and losing, he's going to find himself riding the bench.
The staff already knows he’s a ballhawk. What they need to know now is if he can handle being part of a rotation that expects you to play it straight one snap and take your shot the next. That’s where their preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday comes in. We already know Josh Allen's not playing, but backup QB Mitchell Trubisky is good enough to make some plays that'll challenge the 24-year-old, making it a great first opportunity to impress.
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Funny enough, it’s a contract year for the vet. No better time to put the puzzle together than... now... like, right now. The Giants are loaded up top at safety, and the preseason is where depth charts shift and moves are made.
Belton’s already made himself one of the more interesting players to watch in camp. Now the question is whether he can complete his game by putting the "belt" in Belton. We're talking lockdown coverage. Because as great as the turnovers are — and they're great — the defense needs more. If this team is going anywhere this year, it'll be a 53-man effort. Belton's buy-in starts Saturday.