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USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-New York Giants captain Jonathan Casillas can see Malik Nabers in leadership role
Ex-New York Giants captain Jonathan Casillas can see Malik Nabers in leadership role New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers may only be 21 years old, but he's showing signs of putting his stamp on the team both on the field and in the locker room. As a rookie, Nabers led the team in receptions and injected life into a team that had been D.O.A. the season before. Off the field, Nabers was vocal regarding his usage, wanting the football more even though he was second in the NFL in targets in 2024. Former Giants linebacker and captain, Jonathan Casillas, recently told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News that he believes Nabers is on his way to becoming a leader on this transitioning roster. 'He's young, and he might have said some things out of pocket last year as a young, diva-like receiver,' Casillas said on the Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard podcast. 'But Malik Nabers, I think people value the things he says. I think [Brian] Daboll values the things he says. 'I want to highlight him because not just do I think he was a tremendous talent last year, I do think he was trying to step into that leadership role,' Casillas added. 'I think he sensed there was kind of a vacancy there, with the carousel at the quarterback position and QB play that hasn't really been there for a few years. I think he wanted to step up and be that guy.' Last year, Nabers was frustrated with both the team's losing ways and perhaps his game-costing drop in an early-season loss in Washington. He spoke out in the media, which is normally frowned upon when it comes to young players, especially rookies. 'They want me to speak up,' Nabers said of Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll. 'They feel like my energy helps the offense, in a way, to be explosive. So of course I'm going to speak up if something doesn't go my way. That's just how I am. I won't just sit back and let it go down just because I'm a young player. Clout don't mean nothing.' Nabers will surely be the Giants' go-to receiver again this year, no matter who the team plays at quarterback. Veteran Russell Wilson called Nabers a "freak of an athlete" and sees a solid future between them. "This guy, when he touches the ball, he may score every single time. He's been exciting," Wilson said in April. "Got to talk to him along the way. He's fired up and we've had a lot of good conversations so far." First-round pick Jaxson Dart is likely to get some snaps this year and beyond at quarterback. He is also looking forward to playing with Nabers, as are Giant fans.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jameis Winston would make Giants' 2025 season interesting: ‘Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely!'
Signing Jameis Winston as a 2025 bridge quarterback would make the Giants' season interesting, at least, which would be an upgrade from 2024. In all seriousness, while Winston wouldn't provide the ideal solution by any means, there are a lot of reasons why he would make sense. Advertisement He has the talent of a former No. 1 overall quarterback. He would be cheap after carrying only a $1.2 million salary last season in Cleveland. And he would set a positive example for Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward if the Giants draft a quarterback in April. Winston arrives daily to the facility before the sun comes up, as former Saints teammate Bennie Fowler vouched on the Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard podcast this past season. The most important thing Winston would need to do, though, obviously, is play consistently well. And that is where Winston struggles most despite his talent. He gave the Browns a badly needed shot in the arm by promptly beating the Baltimore Ravens, 29-24, when he replaced Deshaun Watson in late October, for example. Winston threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in one of the bigger upsets of the NFL season. Advertisement But then Winston threw 12 interceptions in Cleveland's next six games, including three different games with three INTs. And by mid-December, he was benched for youngster Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Brian Daboll doesn't have any hair to pull out, and he's expected to give up play calling this season after John Mara suggested he do so. But those sideline tablets would not survive a couple of Winston three-interception games in East Rutherford, N.J. Untimely turnovers were the part of Daniel Jones' game that drove Daboll craziest. And it took the coach more than a week to get over Drew Lock's costly giveaways in a December loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Winston is coming up as an option because of comments he has made this week in New Orleans. Advertisement Winston showed up at Super Bowl media night working for FOX and lobbed a question at Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley: 'I'm a free agent, I don't really got no job,' Winston asked. 'Who's gonna sign me in free agency?' Barkley responded: 'I think New York needs a quarterback right now' and clarified he was speaking about his former team, the Giants. Then Winston told NJ Advance Media: 'Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely! I want to keep playing and do what I do best.' When he was asked for his thoughts on the Giants' roster and Daboll, he might have slipped when he referred to the Giants as 'we.' Advertisement 'I have a ton of respect for coach Brian Daboll, the things he does offensively,' Winston told NJ Advance Media. 'I think we have a young — woah! They have a young roster. But they have a young roster that's ready to win. They're ready to bounce back. I know they're hungry over there.' Knowing Winston, that just as easily could have been a hilarious mistake made by one of the more entertaining personalities in football. Winston is famous for ridiculous pre-game speeches and unpredictable on-field interview responses in a grateful and spirited tone. And who wouldn't want that around the Giants for a year? It might literally bring life to a building that was largely dead inside and void of any meaningful culture in 2024. Advertisement Winston's willingness to push the ball downfield and take shots shouldn't be overlooked, either. Daboll showed limited creativity as a playcaller and lamented the Giants' inability to get the ball down the field for explosive plays in the passing game. GM Joe Schoen and Daboll obviously have to consider self-preservation with their quarterback decision here. So that's how a trade for a player like Kirk Cousins, for example, could become the solution: if the Giants are pushing all their chips into 2025. Do they want to make a big financial investment in a player like Cousins or Sam Darnold, though. Or do they simply want to sign a cheap veteran who can capably play NFL football until Sanders or Ward is ready — and add some juice in the process? Advertisement Because if they're looking for the latter, they can find it in New Orleans this week — in the media room. SLAYTON WINS NFLPA COMMUNITY AWARD The NFL Players Association announced Giants receiver Darius Slayton as the recipient of the 2025 Alan Page Community Award at its annual Super Bowl press conference on Wednesday. In recognition, the NFLPA will donate $100,000 to Slayton's Left-Hand Right-Hand (LHRH) Foundation. 'Winning this award means more than words can describe,' Slayton said. 'The main goal for me and my family has always been to be able to give back to the people in our communities. 'It's not about the recognition, but I accept this award with grace and humility,' he added. 'I hope it brings further light to the causes my family and I support. I am extremely grateful to be named the 2025 Alan Page Community Award Winner.'
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints' Cam Jordan: New York Giants 'have a CB1 in Paulson Adebo'
Saints' Cam Jordan: New York Giants 'have a CB1 in Paulson Adebo' Heading into this offseason, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen knew he had to bolster his secondary, especially at outside corner. His top pick from 2023, Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, had taken a step back in his second season and doubts had begun to arise if Banks had the makeup to be a No. 1 cornerback. Banks may still have that in him, but Schoen wanted to make sure he was covered and added former New Orleans Saints budding star Paulson Adebo in free agency. The Giants inked Adebo, a former 2021 third-round selection out from Stanford by the Saints, to a three-year, $54 million deal with $38.5 million guaranteed. In short, the Giants paid Adebo to be their No. 1 corner. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan, an eight-time Pro Bowler with the Saints, says the Giants are getting a No. 1 in his former teammate, Adebo. From the New York Daily News: 'You have a CB1 in Paulson Adebo,' Jordan, who saw Adebo grow the past four years in New Orleans, said on the Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard podcast. 'He's a dog that deserves it. If you look at the way he was covering guys, at one point when Latt [Marshon Lattimore] was healthy and Adebo was on the field, we had two No. 1 CBs.' 'I think he might have gotten underpaid in my mind, because the new market is 30 mill[ion a year],' Jordan said. 'Ya'll really got a steal for my guy. He's definitely CB1 worthy. His footwork, his mindset, and he's not affected by having one bad play. 'He understands that DB life,' the 15th-year edge said of Adebo's defensive back mindset. 'You can get scorched every now and again, but are you gonna give up on a play? Absolutely not. Are you gonna walk somebody down? With his speed, yes. He's calm, cool, collected [and has] composure.' That is satisfying to hear for Giant fans who watched Banks meltdown on and off the field last year. He was even accused of not playing hard at times and giving up on plays by coaches and teammates. Adebo knows he will asked to lead a group of younger players in the secondary including Banks, cornerback Andru Phillips and safety Tyler Nubin. "Any time you can come in and bring experience, that's great," he said in his introductory press conference with the Giants. "I have some experience. So, if there's something that I know, I'll be very willing to be able to share that knowledge and share that wisdom and at the same time being willing to learn. Coming into a new organization, seeing how things are done and adapt accordingly." When asked about Banks, Adebo said he is ready to take him under his wing as well. "I know he's a big, fast, strong, physical corner. I like a lot of things that he does. Very explosive. Very athletic. So, I'm happy to be able to come in and work with him," he said. Perhaps Adebo's presence will be enough to help Banks raise his game.
USA Today
07-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants WR wants to sign with a contender. Could the Kansas City Chiefs be a fit?
New York Giants WR wants to sign with a contender. Could the Kansas City Chiefs be a fit? New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton recently appeared on the 'Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard' podcast. He shared his unique attributes entering free agency, and they're similar to the traits of Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach "When you look at that, my ability to stretch the field becomes more valuable because that leads to shorter drives, one-play touchdowns. You need chunk plays to score in this league," said Slayton. "We know we have a lot of interest out there. And when free agency opens up, we'll have a lot of different conversations to have with a lot of different people." Slayton has never had a 1,000-yard season but possesses breakaway speed and handled shaky quarterback play throughout his tenure with New York. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, he was considered a trade option for the Chiefs before last season's trade deadline. "Definitely, winning and being in an advantageous situation are probably two things that are really important for me right now," said Slayton. "Obviously, five out of my six years with the Giants, we weren't competitive. We didn't make the playoffs. We weren't really close to making the playoffs." The Chiefs don't have much money as they enter free agency and are likely parting ways with several veteran receivers. Slayton could be an intriguing option if available in free agency.
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Adam Schefter gives his take on the Matthew Stafford-Giants trade rumors
One of the biggest storylines in the NFL right now is Matthew Stafford's uncertain future with the Los Angeles Rams. He has two years left on his deal but he'll likely need a raise in order to stay with the Rams after restructuring his deal last summer to reduce his guaranteed money in 2025 and 2026. In the event that the Rams and Stafford can't come to an agreement on a new contract, it's possible the team will look to trade him. One potential suitor that keeps getting brought up? The New York Giants, who just hired Stafford's brother-in-law, Chad Hall, as their assistant wide receivers coach. Colin Cowherd fueled the rumors on Thursday when he floated a theory where the Rams trade Stafford to the Giants for the No. 3 pick and then sign Aaron Rodgers, a crazy idea that he claims to be possible. Adam Schefter gave his take on the whole situation with a more reasoned explanation during an appearance on 'Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard' Thursday and made it clear that the Rams' 'first priority' is extending Stafford. In the event that they can't get a deal done, it's possible Los Angeles will look to move the veteran quarterback. But one thing's for sure: The Giants aren't giving up the third overall pick for Stafford, as Cowherd suggested they could. 'Let me be very clear: That pick is not in the conversation if Matthew Stafford and the Rams can't get a deal worked out, and if Matthew Stafford becomes available and all of a sudden the Giants surface as a contender. If all those things happen – and they could – if all those things happen, there is no way in hell that the Giants are giving up the third overall pick for Matthew Stafford. Zero,' he said. Just had @AdamSchefter on Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard. He told me 'there is no way in hell that the #Giants are giving up the third overall pick for Matthew Stafford' if trade talks ever occur. But it might not even come to that. Schefter said the #Rams' 'first priority' is to… — Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 13, 2025 Here's more of what Schefter said about the situation. 'I think they're committed to trying to work something out,' he said. 'But it doesn't mean that they actually will work something out, and that's where Giants fans and people around the Tr-State New York area are getting curious and interested. Because if – if – they don't get it worked out, then, obviously, the Giants become an option.' Schefter's colleague at ESPN, Dan Graziano, reported last week that Stafford is 'likely' to return to the Rams next season. That would indicate that a deal will get done at some point, keeping Stafford in L.A. for at least one more year. Schefter isn't ruling anything out right now when it comes to Stafford's future. He says the Rams believe they can get something done with the veteran quarterback, but that doesn't mean they'll actually be able to – especially after last year's negotiations dragged out for months until the start of camp. 'I think the Rams have sensed and believed that they think they can get it worked out. Doesn't mean they will,' he said. 'But if they can, then all this talk about Chad Hall and Matthew Stafford and New York doesn't mean anything. If they don't get it worked out, well, then we've got something to talk about leading into the combine and the start of the new league year and I would think we have an answer to that sooner rather than later because the Rams have to get clarity because they have to know, 'OK, are we getting a deal done with Matthew Stafford and if not, then what are we doing about this particular situation?' But I think their first priority, their interest is in re-signing Matthew and I think Matthew would like to be back in L.A., but the Rams have a price, Matthew has a price, and can they meet in a common ground and work it out, or not?' It sounds like the Rams want to get something done with Stafford but that's by no means certain to happen. And if the contract negotiations go nowhere, the Rams will have no choice but to move on – which would make the Giants a potential landing spot. Until then, all eyes are on Stafford and the Rams.
