Adam Jacobs asks: Like all Giants fans, I am very excited about the coming season. I have a question about Banks. Everyone knows about his struggles the past two seasons, as well as the encouraging signs since the start of training camp. Is his (perceived) improvement more about a change back to a press, man-to-man defense, a change in the coaching staff, or something else? I am more than happy if they could get good production out of him beyond returning kickoffs. Do you think this is just trying
to impress the coaches, or is this a turning the corner thing?
Ed says: Adam, I don’t know what you are getting by asking if “this is just trying to impress the coaches.” Every player who isn’t an established star is always hoping to impress his coaches.
In reference to Deonte Banks, the change in both his play and his demeanor have been real. Banks has been playing like the guy the Giants hoped he would be when they used a first-round pick on him in 2023.
The change in coaching staffs and schemes has a lot to do with it. Maybe there were things going on in the young man’s life that affected him. We don’t know. Banks doesn’t like to talk to the media. When he does talk, his answers are very short. He isn’t going to tell us much.
I don’t know if he will be a starter, but Banks looks like a player who can certainly contribute at cornerback.
Joseph Evans asks: I know it’s most likely in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but why is it you can only dress 45 on game day? With the amount of injuries, that doesn’t make sense to me.
Ed says: Joseph, teams can dress 46. If they elevate two players from the practice squad, that number rises to 48. But, your question, of course, regards why there is any type of limit.
It really has to do with competitive balance. Say one team has five injured players who cannot dress for a game. The opposing team has only two. The NFL wants each team to dress the same number of players in each game, theoretically so that one team is not at a numerical disadvantage.
For me, there is a better way to accomplish this. Let teams dress 53 players for each game. If you have three players who are injured and cannot dress on your 53-man roster, teams should be allowed to activate three players from the practice squad — without needing to pass players through waivers to get them back on the practice squad.
To me, full rosters would improve the quality of play.
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Bob Donnelly asks: The kickoff (not kickoff coverage) is perhaps the only aspect of a preseason game that is not impacted by the other 21 players on the field. Through two preseason games how do you view this aspect of the kicker competition?
Ed says: Bob, it is something we rarely see during practices. Honestly, it isn’t nearly as important as it was prior to the change in the rules that discourages touchbacks. There just isn’t enough to go on for me to say one guy is better at kickoffs than another.
Spencer Gross asks: I just read your piece about JC Davis and I found it interesting about him watching and learning from Thomas. My question to you is do you know if Neal ever tried to learn from Thomas? Did Thomas ever mentor him? I’ve read you say Thomas is a stand up guy during interviews but I wonder about that dynamic between the two. Thomas is a captain so it’s evident he has leadership qualities but I’m curious about that relationship.
Ed says: Spencer, I don’t really know the nature of the relationship between Neal and Thomas. Neal is in his fifth year in the league now, so he’s pretty much beyond the “mentoring” stage. I would have to believe that over the course of 4+ years that Thomas has tried to help him.
Derick Gross asks: Is Nagy allowed to be on the sideline, but watch the offensive plays on a screen with a view from the booth? That way he could get the bird’s eye view of the play unfolding, but still communicate directly with players on the sideline.
Ed says: No, Derick. There are tablets on the sideline, but I am not sure how quickly they show photos or replays of plays. Certainly not quickly enough to call the next play. Nagy will end up wherever he and John Harbaugh deem to be the best spot.
Kölnerbigblue asks: Ed, Normally, when I hear “noncontact” injury, I think if the cleats gripping too well but Austin’s foot apparently slipped. In Germany, I have to change to winter tires come the snow season. In the grass v turf debate, I never hear people talk about the cleat configuration. Since the cleat is half of the equation, I just wonder if the NFL or NFLPA have looked into it. Is this question ever asked?
Ed says: Kölner, you are looking for a problem where one doesn’t exist. It is my understanding that NFL players have about 75 varieties of cleats to choose from. Read this from nearly 10 years ago about how much goes into player footwear.
Anthony Viola asks: A friend of mine saw a recent interview with the LBs (Burns, Carter, Reese, and Thibs I believe) and he came away with the impression that they were not a tight knit group of players.
I was very surprised to hear this. In your opinion, based on what you see and hear, is there any truth to what my friend said? I did not see the interview so admittedly I am getting this opinion/comment second hand.
Ed says: Anthony, I think that’s nonsense. The interview they did was mostly a light-hearted interview with a national media member more or less asking silly questions to get a reaction. The other thing about that interview was that the three edge players insisted that Arvell Reese be included.
That’s just looking for an issue where one doesn’t exist.
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