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Gervarrius Owens Defines What Giants Are Getting in Him

Gervarrius Owens is ready to contribute in whatever capacity the Giants coaching staff needs him.
Patricia Traina|
Gervarrius Owens Defines What Giants Are Getting in Him
Gervarrius Owens Defines What Giants Are Getting in Him

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New York Giants

Typically not much is expected from late-Day 3 draft picks, who are widely regarded as developmental prospects.

But for New York Giants defensive back Gervarrius Ownes, the second of two seventh-round picks in this year's draft and the 254th pick overall, if anyone thinks the Giants are getting a shrinking violet with this pick, they best think again.

"A hard-hat guy. Do the work every day,” Owens said when asked what the Giants were getting in him.

Owens, a team captain for the Houston Cougars, began his collegiate career as a JUCO player at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. He then transferred to Houston, going on to start 42 of 46 games.

In those games, Owens totaled 208 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, four interceptions (one for a touchdown), and 15 pass breakups, playing over 1,000 of his defensive snaps for the Gougars as the free safety.

Owens also contributed 361 snaps on special teams, most of those coming on the field goal block unit, the punt return unit, and the kickoff coverage unit. He said he would be open to contributing to special teams for the Giants if the coaches need him for that role.

For now, Owens is just getting started in trying to show the coaching staff that he can become a contributor moving forward. He said he comes from a college program whose defensive secondary took tremendous pride in making plays.

"If we mess up, that shows up on the scoreboard," Owens said. "So, just trying to be as detailed and polished as possible."

The Giants rookies went through more instruction than actual offense vs. defensive drills during the recently completed rookie minicamp, which for Owens, in particular, was an exciting time.

“It was just crazy,” Owens said. “You dream of this moment for so long, and then it hits you. Like the first day, me, (cornerback Deonte) Banks, and (defensive back) Trey Hawkins running out to the field like, it’s time, we’re here."

Owens isn't necessarily guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster, where his competition includes Bobby McCain, Dane Belton, Trenton Thompson, and Jason Pinnock, among others. But for Owens, who is grateful for the opportunity t justify the Giants' faith in his skills, these next few weeks and months will be about keeping his eye on the prize.

"It's a childhood dream since I was eight," he said about being drafted. "All my family and friends were around me, so being surrounded by all that love put everything in perspective. I'm blessed to be here and going to get to work for sure."

 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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