Giants eye first 2-2 start since 2016

Here's a roundup of what each of the Giants three coordinators had to say during Thursday's media session regarding getting to 2-2.

When Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay missed a 34-yard field goal wide right as time expired, the direction of the Giants season turned.

Instead of 0-3, they are now 1-2. And a win against an 0-3 Washington team Sunday at MetLife Stadium would make the Giants .500, marking the first time they accomplished that since the start of the 2016 season, a year in which they lost their first two games and then won their next two to close out the first quarter of the season.  

Giants on Offense

Like everyone else, offensive coordinator Mike Shula was impressed with quarterback Daniel Jones’ performance against the Bucs last week.

But like Jones, Shula has been drawing up ways to help the rookie signal-caller improve. 

“When you are just starting out playing, you just keep talking about little things that are technique, footwork, getting your eyes in the right place, getting the ball out earlier,” Shula said Thursday. “Obviously, the big thing is ball security.”

Jones already has two fumbles in the two games he's played so far, including a few snaps in relief of Eli Manning in Week 1.

Seeing how Jones reacted to both positive and negative moments in the game also revealed a new side of the quarterback to Shula. 

Even after Jones threw an interception though, Shula said that his quarterback was very steady. 

“For a young guy, he really kind of just blocks everything else out,” Shula said. “It’s like we are in a meeting room, just kind of there by ourselves with the quarterbacks.”

With the injury to running back Saquon Barkley, Shula accepts that there might not be as many explosive offensive plays, but not to worry. The Giants, Shula said, would be happy with getting chunk plays that help move the chains because those plays can help change the momentum of the game by creating better field position.

Giants on Defense

Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher knows that his defense needs to play a more well-rounded four quarters of football.

So why haven't they yet?

“That’s scheme, that’s technique, that’s eyes, those things have to occur for us to play more consistent,” Bettcher said.

Bettcher did not cite any specific changes he might be looking to make this weekend, but said that he believes the process of improvement begins with him emphasizing the importance of fundamentals and techniques.

A big part of the defensive inconsistency has been the Giants pass coverage. Cornerbacks DeAndre Baker, a rookie, and Janoris Jenkins, a veteran, have both received heat for their performances thus far. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Baker has posted a 157.1 rating in three games and Jenkins a 140.2 rating.

Bettcher is not concerned though. He said that Baker is doing a good job at identifying three things each week to improve upon and Jenkins is still competing at a high-level during practice. 

“He’s diving to knock balls away, he’s competing, he’s working on fundamentals and techniques in individual,” Bettcher said. “He’s all in on fixing what he needs to fix.”

Now if he can only bring those improvements from the practice field to the playing field...

Giants on Special Teams

For special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, the success of his unit has been about freedom as much as structure. 

He said that his players understand leverage and lanes, but he also wants everyone to use their instincts and play fast. 

“When you give guys, schematically, a lot to think about, it slows them down,” McGaughey said. “But when you take away that cloud, they get a chance to really shine.”

That's exactly what the Giants special teams unit has done. According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants have the top-ranked special teams unit in the league and it's not even close.

The Giants are also tied for first (with Green Bay) in field goal conversions, rank in the top-5 league-wide in net punting and the top-10 in punt return yardage allowed.

Of late, the Giants have found a secret weapon when it comes to blocking PATs and field goals. 

That would be defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who at 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, gives the special teams unit a unique advantage. 

Last week Lawrence got a hand on a field goal and two weeks ago, came close to getting a hand on another.

 “He knows that once he gets underneath people, he can make people move,” McGaughey said.