More than just big names among DBs
There are stars in the Giants’ secondary, which is why it is the strength of their defense and why the defense is the strength of their team.
But the depth back there is going to get tested, and that’s when eyes will eventually turn to a more unknown cornerback, Michael Hunter.
“Be a star in my role,” Hunter told The Post of his expectations after Friday’s practice. “Special teams, the defense now and then, whenever I’m on the field, just make sure I’m starring in my role, I know what I’m doing and that allows me to play fast and have fun.”
The depth chart was evident when starter Eli Apple missed Tuesday’s practice with an ankle injury and Hunter stepped in to play with the first-team defense. Upon the advice of the other starter, Janoris Jenkins — aka Jackrabbit — the 24-year-old Hunter was ready for the opportunity.
“Every day, Jackrabbit tells me you have to prepare like you’re a starter,” Hunter said. “Anything can happen. Not wishing injury on anyone, but we might need a package in a game with four corners or five corners, he said just prepare week in and week out like you’re the starter.”
Hunter was not drafted out of Oklahoma State, and he played just two games for the Giants last season while bouncing back and forth between the active roster and the practice squad. But Hunter believes he’s ready to take the next step under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
“I think getting the playbook this offseason and knowing the plays inside and out is the biggest difference in the transformation from last year,” Hunter said. “It allows me to play faster, react quicker and ultimately make plays.”
Though the Giants added some pieces on offense, it’s still on Spagnuolo’s defense to carry most of the responsibility. Safety Landon Collins emerged as a bonafide Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and Apple is coming off a solid rookie season. With a few questions at linebacker and in the middle of the defensive line, the secondary is going to be asked to do a lot.
“There’s been some great battles and what I like about that group of corners is that they love to compete,” Spagnuolo said. “You can’t play that position in this league if you don’t embrace competitiveness. If you want to be competitive, you’ve got to have a short memory.”
Hunter has leaned on the veterans in front of him, such as Jen- kins, who he called “one of the most intelligent football players I’ve ever been around.”
“He harps on making sure you know all the checks — knowing not only what the cornerback is doing, but know what the safety is doing, know what the nickel is doing, know what the linebacker is doing,” Hunter said. “You know what everybody around is doing, that allows you to play fast. By him just telling me small things like that it really helped my game a lot.”
The Giants’ defense ranked 10th in the league last season, allowing an average of 339.7 yards per game. Yet they were 22nd in passing yards against (251 per game), and Spagnuolo thought that came via too many big plays.
“I would like us to be better in the secondary than we were last year. We gave up too many explosive pass plays, that’s not all the secondary,” he said. “I know the guys feel that, too; everyone wants to get better.”
That includes Hunter, who sees himself as being able to contribute more this year and help make a strength of the Giants even better.
“If you’re more comfortable in the system,” Hunter said, “it allows you to go out and play freely and have more fun.”