Collins makes case for captain

Coach Pat Shurmur said recently he will wait until the Giants finalize their 53man roster to decide on captains, but one defensive leader is ready to step up to the challenge.

“If you know me, then you know that’s an easy question, yeah,” safety Landon Collins said. “I definitely want to be the captain of this defense one of these years.”

The Giants had the same captains in each of the past two seasons — Eli Manning (offense), Zak DeOssie (special teams) and Jonathan Casillas (defense) — but with Casillas gone, there will likely be an opportunity for someone new on the defense to wear the ‘C.’

“If you’re losing, you definitely need [leadership], and when you’re winning, you especially need it because you need to keep everybody focused,” Collins said.

The Giants have largely down-played the opponent in Friday’s game, insisting they’re just focused on their own team, but Collins is looking forward to lining up across from Jets rookie QB Sam Darnold.

“He’s a rookie, we feast on rookies sometimes,” Collins said. “It’s always an exciting game. ... I know he’s going to do a great job at the Jets, but you’re playing against a good defense, and we’re going to have fun with it.”

Collins said he expects the Giants starters to play about three quarters.

B.W. Webb again spent Wednesday taking all of the first-team snaps at the nickel cornerback position. Though it looks as if Webb is on track to be the starter, Shurmur said Webb doesn’t necessarily have the upper hand. ... In the Giants’ first-team goalline package, Chad

Wheeler lined up to the right of Ereck Flowers as the sixth offensive lineman.