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Washington Post
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Giants using a swashbuckling approach to turnovers: ‘Be a damn pirate'
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants might have to walk the plank if they don't get better at taking possessions away from opponents. Sitting on the sideline during practice this offseason is a wooden chest – a 'turnover chest,' if you will – that contains no gold, silver or jewels. But to the Giants, what does go in there is even more valuable.
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Giants using a swashbuckling approach to turnovers: ‘Be a damn pirate'
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants might have to walk the plank if they don't get better at taking possessions away from opponents. Sitting on the sideline during practice this offseason is a wooden chest – a 'turnover chest,' if you will – that contains no gold, silver or jewels. But to the Giants, what does go in there is even more valuable. When a defensive player gives the heave-ho to the offense by creating a turnover – an interception, a fumble recovery – he gets to place the football inside the chest while the entire unit celebrates. 'You'll hear our guys say it and I say it ad nauseum: 'Be a damn pirate,'' defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said Thursday before the Giants' heated practice session that ended after tempers flared. 'We've got to find ways to get the ball. And, again, you get what you emphasize. We're making it a priority this year to make sure we find ways to get the ball.' Last season, the Giants struggled to do so, finishing 28th in the NFL with only 15 takeaways. Their five total interceptions — no player had more than one — ranked 31st in the league, with only Cleveland having fewer with four. New York upgraded its secondary by signing cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland during free agency. That should also help the Giants' defensive front, which added first-rounder Abdul Carter to a pass-rushing group that includes Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and has Dexter Lawrence anchoring the line. Still, entering his second year running the Giants' defense, Bowen was searching this offseason for a creative way to focus on forcing turnovers. And he found his inspiration from his son's T-ball team — the Pirates, of course. 'Again, the main thing is emphasizing takeaways,' Bowen said. 'We've got to get better at takeaways. Somehow got the idea of piracy, violent, attacking to steal possessions or goods, right?' Aye, matey. ___ AP NFL:
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
Giants OTAs: Dizzying QB rotation, quest for turnovers highlight feisty Thursday
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants wrapped up their second week of OTAs with a surprisingly spirited practice that ended prematurely due to a fight. Before outside linebackers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux squared off against tackles James Hudson and Jermaine Eluemunor in a rare spring brawl, the story of Thursday's practice was the dizzying rotation at quarterback. Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito alternated after individual reps at one point in the fast-paced practice. Advertisement Here are notes and observations from Thursday's practice: Coach Brian Daboll said every player was at the facility Thursday, but left tackle Andrew Thomas, defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, outside linebacker Victor Dimukeje and safety Anthony Johnson weren't spotted on the field. Thomas (foot/ankle), Dimukeje (pec) and Johnson (shoulder) are rehabilitating documented injuries. Daboll declined to provide any injury updates, so there was no explanation for the absences of Ledbetter and Okereke. Wide receiver Malik Nabers again came out of the facility an hour into practice. Daboll said last week the team is 'being smart' with a toe injury that has lingered since college. Third-round pick Darius Alexander and fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo worked on the side with trainers during practice. Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton joined the limited players after participating in some early-practice drills. Ford-Wheaton is recovering from postseason shoulder surgery. There's no word on what's limiting Alexander and Skattebo. The Giants' quarterback situation has enough intrigue to warrant its own section in the practice report. It was a challenge just to track the constant shuffling on Thursday. In each of Daboll's first three offseasons, there had been a clear pecking order among the quarterbacks, and one QB would handle all of the reps in a period with the first, second and third teams. But there was far more mixing and matching Thursday. Veteran Russell Wilson exclusively worked with the first-team offense. Rookie Jaxson Dart took the majority of second-team reps, but he also got two reps with the starters and one rep with the third-stringers. Jameis Winston took the majority of third-team reps, while also getting one rep with the starters and three with the second-team offense. Tommy DeVito got the fewest reps, and his mostly came with the third-team. Advertisement Wilson was sharp early in practice, mostly hitting underneath passes, before he was picked off by Dane Belton when the ball-hawking safety jumped a slant over the middle. Dart got off to a rough start, with two passes batted down at the line and an interception by cornerback Tre Hawkins on an under-thrown deep ball to undrafted rookie wide receiver Da'Quan Felton. Dart completed some short passes before his second interception on a pass over the middle that undrafted rookie safety Makari Paige picked off. The most notable development was that Dart was ahead of Winston on the depth chart, at least for one practice. It's far too early to read into that, as it appears there will be adjustments among the quarterback reps each practice. Mike Kafka on what stands out about Jaxson Dart 🎥: — GiantsTV (@GiantsTV) June 5, 2025 • Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was the play-caller, using a walkie-talkie to signal the calls into the quarterbacks. That has been the case in every open practice this spring, as all signs point toward Kafka reclaiming the role after being stripped of play-calling last year. With Kafka calling the plays, Daboll often conversed with the quarterbacks after their reps. • There were no reps in team periods for guard Greg Van Roten, guard Jon Runyan, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and cornerback Deonte Banks. With the starting guards not participating, Evan Neal got first-team reps at left guard, while Jake Kubas was the starting right guard. Aaron Stinnie rotated in at both guard spots with the first-team offense late in practice. • Burns and Thibodeaux were the starters at outside linebacker, but No. 3 pick Abdul Carter was heavily involved. There were a handful of plays with all three edge rushers on the field together. Advertisement Carter was in a three-point stance across from the right tackle with Thibodeaux aligned wider in a three-point stance in one package. Burns was the edge rusher on the other side of that formation and recorded a sack when he came free up the middle on a stunt. Carter had a sack on a Winston rollout with the second-team defense. Carter was also spotted lining up at inside linebacker. It's clear that the Giants plan to move the No. 3 pick all over to get their top three pass rushers on the field together as much as possible. • Belton's interception continued what defensive coordinator Shane Bowen called 'a really good spring' before practice. Bowen said they're finding ways to get Belton, who has always displayed a nose for the ball, on the field. Belton was used in a dime package during Thursday's practice. He also stepped in for starting safety Tyler Nubin alongside Jevon Holland late in practice. • Darius Muasau stepped in next to Micah McFadden at inside linebacker with Okereke not practicing. Dyontae Johnson, who flashed potential last offseason, was with the third-team defense. • Before the fight caused an abrupt end to practice, the Giants were competing in a situational period. The starting offense got the ball at its own 33-yard line trailing 21-17 with 58 seconds remaining. Wilson threw the ball away on first down and then tight end Theo Johnson couldn't hang onto a short pass over the middle on second down. Wilson hit running back Tyrone Tracy with a dump-off on third-and-10 before the fight prevented the fourth-down attempt. • Quick hits: With Banks sitting out, Cor'Dale Flott was the first-team cornerback opposite Paulson Adebo … Defensive tackle Elijah Chatman lined up at fullback for a few reps in a walk-through period … Felton made an impressive one-handed snag on a pass from Winston. The rookie stuck out his hand as he made his break and the pass was on the money … Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, running back Dante Miller, wide receiver Montrell Washington and wide receiver Jordan Bly were the punt returners. Advertisement Here's a snapshot of the depth chart from Thursday's practice. It's important to keep in mind that players rotate frequently at some positions and I don't chart the personnel on every play, so you might not see every name listed. Also, not every practice is open during OTAs, so being a starter on Thursday doesn't mean that player is necessarily at the top of the depth chart. • First-team offense: QB Russell Wilson, RB Tyrone Tracy, WR Darius Slayton, WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Wan'Dale Robinson, TE Theo Johnson, LT James Hudson, LG Evan Neal, C John Michael Schmitz, RG Jake Kubas, RT Jermaine Eluemunor. • Second-team offense: QB Jaxson Dart, RB Eric Gray, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR Zach Pascal, WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey, TE Daniel Bellinger, LT Stone Forsythe, LG Josh Ezeudu, C Austin Schlottmann, RG Aaron Stinnie, RT Marcus Mbow. • Third-team offense: QB Jameis Winston, RB Dante Miller, WR Da'Quan Felton, WR Beaux Collins, WR Antwane Wells, TE Thomas Fidone, LT Stone Forsythe, LG Bryan Hudson, C Jimmy Morrissey, RG Jaison Williams, RT Marcus Mbow. • First-team defense: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DL Roy Robertson-Harris, DL Elijah Chatman, OLB Brian Burns, OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, ILB Micah McFadden, ILB Darius Muasau, CB Paulson Adebo, CB Cor'Dale Flott, CB Dru Phillips (slot), S Jevon Holland, S Tyler Nubin. The Giants used a dime package late in practice. Chatman and Robertson-Harris were the linemen with Burns, Thibodeaux and McFadden at linebacker. Adebo, Flott and Phillips were the corners, with Holland, Belton and Raheem Layne at safety. • Second-team defense: DL Elijah Chatman, DL Jordon Riley, DL Elijah Garcia, OLB Abdul Carter, OLB Tomon Fox, ILB CJ Board, ILB Ty Summers, CB Tre Hawkins, CB Art Green, CB Nic Jones (slot), S Dane Belton, S Raheem Layne. Wilson uncorked one of his signature moonballs to wide receiver Darius Slayton for a deep connection over Flott. Wilson flicked the ball quickly as the pass rush closed in. Russell Wilson on being a leader 🎥: — GiantsTV (@GiantsTV) June 5, 2025 'The main thing is emphasizing takeaways. We got to get better at takeaways. Somehow got the idea of piracy — violent, attacking to steal possessions or goods, right? You'll hear our guys say it. I say it ad nauseam: 'Be a damn pirate.' We got to find ways to get the ball. And, again, you get what you emphasize. We're making it a priority this year to make sure we find ways to get the ball.' — Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen on the origins of the defense's new 'turnover chest' The Giants conduct their seventh OTA on Monday. Their next practice open to the media is June 12. (Photo of Jaxson Dart: Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
Washington Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Russell Wilson focused on being a leader for the Giants even with all eyes on rookie Jaxson Dart
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Russell Wilson knows he's not the future. Not at this point in his career. The New York Giants hope that'll be Jaxson Dart. For now, though, Wilson is the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart — and he fully expects to remain there when the season starts.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Russell Wilson focused on being a leader for the Giants even with all eyes on rookie Jaxson Dart
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Russell Wilson knows he's not the future. Not at this point in his career. The New York Giants hope that'll be Jaxson Dart. For now, though, Wilson is the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart — and he fully expects to remain there when the season starts. Still, all eyes during offseason practices are on Dart, the big-armed first-round draft pick from Mississippi. 'It doesn't change anything at all,' Wilson said of his approach after the Giants' sixth practice of organized team activities Thursday. 'I think the biggest thing is for me is just being my best every day, leading. I always think about just leading everybody, just leading every room, every moment, every time I get to step between the white lines and the opportunity of that.' New York signed the 36-year-old Wilson, who's entering his 14th season, in March to a one-year deal worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed. The move gave the Giants a stopgap option at quarterback, teaming with Jameis Winston and holdover Tommy DeVito. But a month later, New York traded back into the first round of the draft and took Dart — giving the Giants a potential signal caller for the future. 'Jaxson's been great, man,' Wilson said while speaking to reporters for the first time since the draft. 'He's a great worker, great teammate. We're having fun, all of us. We have a really good quarterback room. Guys are so focused and working diligently every day. He's going to be an extremely, extremely good talent and everything else throughout his career.' For now, though, Dart is the student and Wilson very much the teacher. And the leader of the offense. 'I always share and I always think about communication,' Wilson said. 'I'm a big believer in communicating out loud, just, 'Here's what I'm thinking, here's what I'm saying.' You don't hold any information. I think that for us, it's always about us being the best that we can all be. 'And I think for me, when you have tremendous confidence in yourself, you have no problem sharing it with others. I think that's just how I've always believed.' Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, helped Pittsburgh make the playoffs last season and threw for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdown passes and five interceptions and a 96.5 passer rating. But the Steelers lost five in a row at the end of the season, including in the wild-card playoffs against Baltimore. The Steelers allowed Wilson to become a free agent and he joined the Giants with a chance to help turn around a franchise that went through a 3-14 season with a revolving door at quarterback. 'It's been nice,' wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson said. 'A guy that's been in this league a long time. He tells you exactly what he wants out there, running routes, and the spots he needs you to be in. So, it's been really, really nice.' Wilson might not be the dynamic playmaker he was while helping the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2014, but there's enough there to make the Giants optimistic about what he can do for them. 'I see a lot of things in Russ and things that I watched from afar for a long time — his time in Seattle, Denver, Pittsburgh, just the leadership, the command,' offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. 'You see that on the field. I think the players are responding to it.' Wilson has also been trying to build chemistry with his new teammates, including throwing with several of them in the Atlanta area. Earlier this week, he gathered several of his offensive linemen, running backs and the other quarterbacks for a group dinner. 'We just had a good time, just tons of laughs and a good time together,' Wilson said. 'I think the fellowship of it all is the best part right now. Obviously, our work ethic and what we're doing in the field. But when it comes to just the tight-knit culture that we're continuing to build and continue to grow, and we want to have a championship football team, and in terms of our mentality and our approach and how we go about it. 'And it's not just the games, but it's everything that leads up to that. And that's the fun part about the game of football.' ___ AP NFL:
