Giants make secondary moves
Going with two rookie cornerbacks in the starting lineup was always going to be a risk for the Giants. Going with Deonte Banks as one of the starters was not considered a reach, as he was a first-round draft pick. Going with Tre Hawkins was not the expected course of action, as he was a sixth-round pick from a school (Old Dominion) far from a Power 5 conference.
The two rookies made it through three games, enduring ups and downs, before a move was made by the Giants’ coaching staff. Hawkins was not in the lineup Monday night as the Giants were thrashed by the Seahawks at MetLife Stadium.
Banks and Adoree’ Jackson started and second-year corner Cor’Dale Flott made his first appearance of the season. Banks gave up a 6-yard touchdown reception to DK Metcalf in the first quarter.
The Giants also used safety Dane Belton in certain packages throughout the game.
➤ The Giants played without Saquon Barkley for the second straight game. They rushed for 112 yards, but only 39 of the yards came from their running backs: Matt Breida (14-30) and Gary Brightwell (4-9). Daniel Jones was the leading rusher with 66 yards.
“I think we all need to play better together, for sure, so that’s what we’re focused on as a group and I’m a big part of that so I’m going to make sure I do that,’’ Jones said.
➤ In four games, the Giants have been outscored 77-9 in the first half. Slow starters? More like non-starters. They have been outscored 64-3 in their two home games.
➤ The Giants lost two starters on offense in the first quarter. C John Michael Schmitz was forced out with a shoulder injury and TE Daniel Bellinger left with a knee issue. In the third quarter, Shane Lemieux went down with an abductor injury.
➤ Former Giants safety Julian Love, now a starter for the Seahawks, had a stop of Breida for a 1-yard loss late in the second quarter. Love had nine tackles and one quarterback hit in his first game against the Giants.
➤ The Seahawks lost S Jamal Adams to a concussion in the first quarter. It was the first game in a year for Adams, who returned from a quadriceps injury but was forced off the field when he was inadvertently kicked in the helmet by Jones on an 8-yard scramble.
➤ The Giants’ inactive players were S Bobby McCain, Barkley, S Gervarrius Owens ,LT Andrew Thomas and DL Jordon Riley. McCain had been a mainstay on special teams in the first three games. Flott was active for the first time this season.