Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are the stories you need to know as the Giants are in first place in the NFC East.
Presser Points: Takeaways from GM Joe Schoen | Giants.com
Jaxson Dart has been around the building during his rehab process. “He’s not weight-bearing yet. So he’s on his crutches. But he’s staying as positive as he can. He’s around, which I think is good, you know, mentally being around the guys, being around football still. And, you know, he still thinks if we make the playoffs that he’s going to be able to come back. So, you know, that’s
just his mindset. That’s just his mindset. I mean, he got hurt in the Rams game. He’s in the locker room trying to do pass sets, dying to go back in the game. So, you know, he’s one of those guys you appreciate his toughness and grit.”
The John Harbaugh effect
How John Harbaugh put on a coaching masterclass in lead-up to Giants’ Week 7 win | The Athletic
Harbaugh didn’t hesitate to address the biggest issues facing his team. He cut veteran running back Najee Harris, who had been ineffective and then griped about his role after getting only four carries against the Saints. That paved the way for Harbaugh to turn back to Skattebo, who handled a demotion against New Orleans with professionalism, then responded with a career-high 124 rushing yards against a stout Texans run defense.
Making the right read on which buttons to push is an intangible quality for a coach. Harbaugh’s successful 18-year run in Baltimore provided belief that he had that touch when the Giants made the ballyhooed hiring this offseason. Harbaugh made all the right calls last week, which helped deliver the type of win that has him confident “We’re going to be in this thing until the end now.”
The Winners and Losers of NFL Week 7 | The Ringer
Winner: J.J. McCarthy, Giants Savior. One month after the Vikings gave up on the no. 10 pick in the 2024 draft by trading him to another NFC team for a future fifth-rounder, J.J. McCarthy has the Giants in the driver’s seat to win their division. The quarterback made his first start for New York as a double-digit road underdog against the Texans, and he pulled off the upset in a 27-21 overtime victory that’s the highlight of the Giants’ season so far.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell once said that “organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.” It’s a thought worth revisiting with McCarthy playing well so soon after his turbulent tenure in Minnesota came to an end. While a strained relationship with the Vikings’ coaching staff didn’t help, injuries were McCarthy’s biggest issue during his first few years in the league. If he can stay healthy, the Giants might have found something here—and it’s worth noting that Sunday marked only his 11th professional start.
Abdul Carter urged Giants to empty the tank. Now go win the NFC East | The Record
When Abdul Carter speaks up, the New York Giants pay attention. Because the messaging is often spot on.
Jaxson Dart was the heart and Brian Burns the soul of the team, but both players are out for the season following knee surgeries. What’s become clear is Carter, for all intents and purposes, has an intrinsic ability to feel the Giants’ pulse.
NFL Insider: Giants bully ball taking root
NFL Week 7: Big takeaways, questions and fantasy spin from Sunday’s games | ESPN.com
Trend to watch: Deonte Banks’ strong coverage. The rejuvenated Giants cornerback locked up Texans top receiver Nico Collins most of the afternoon. The Texans completed just four of seven passes for 25 yards when throwing in Banks’ direction, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Collins finished with two catches on five targets for 6 yards, thanks in large part to Banks.
J.J. McCarthy’s resurgence took root long before joining Giants — with plenty of room to grow | New York Post
Despite his struggles with the Vikings, McCarthy said Sunday he began feeling more comfortable in the league in a Week 14 win over Washington. Coming off three straight losses in which he threw six interceptions and just two touchdowns, McCarthy — after missing a week in the concussion protocol — carved up the Commanders on 16-for-23 passing for 163 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He then won his final three starts, though he missed another with a hand injury.
“Just being able to really start feeling like the defense is slowing down and understanding concepts, intent of plays, understanding the situation,’’ McCarthy said. “There’s a lot of things that go into playing NFL quarterback and it takes a little bit to figure those things out. I really feel like I was on an upward trajectory after that game. I continue to just refine my craft and get better every day.’’
Baldy on the Giants run game
Giants’ John Harbaugh echoes Cam Skattebo’s criticism of NFL for penalty | NJ.com
“That’s how I felt about it,” he said. “I mean, I understand the idea, but I also understand human physiology and anatomy and the way the body works. Skatt runs low. You have to run low. You have to run low to protect the football. You have to run low to protect your body. You can’t run in there and give tacklers your chest. When you run low, your head is down there, too. You can’t move your head off your shoulders. It’s a physical impossibility. I’m quite sure Skatt’s not trying to use his helmet as a weapon, as a battering ram.
“It’s not the way he’s thinking. He’s leading with his shoulder. That’s what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to keep his head in a good, strong, upright position. But his pads are down there low. He runs low to the ground. That’s the way you’re supposed to run. That’s how you protect yourself and the football. So I didn’t have a problem with the technique personally at all, but we haven’t heard from the league. Maybe they’ll be able to enlighten us a little bit on it, in terms of what they want us to teach. And that would be great.”
From Big Blue View
- 4 takeaways from Giants GM Joe Schoen: Trade deadline, J.J. McCarthy, more
- Giants roster moves: RB Tyrone Tracy to IR, RB Greg Desrosiers signed
- Giants finally signing veteran defensive tackle
- Giants trade candidate: DT Dalvin Tomlinson a low-cost upgrade?
- How good a pass rusher is Abdul Carter?
- Colts trade OG Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks, per report
- Film review: J.J. McCarthy looked like the real deal vs. Houston
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