Collins eager to match up with Bucs’ Howard
EAST RUTHERFORD >> Looking back on the Giants’ defensive performance against the 49ers on Monday, one mystifying development was the coverage on George Kittle.
San Francisco’s star tight end usually had a free release at the line of scrimmage, and the Giants often granted him so much space to roam that it was almost like they didn’t know he was on the field. Kittle finished with a game-high nine catches for 83 yards.
New York was able to rally in the final three minutes for a 27-23 win, but with the slate of marquee tight ends that await in the second half of the season, the Giants’ linebackers and safeties need to be better in coverage.
Defensive coordinator James Bettcher expects a big game from strong safety Landon Collins against Tampa Bay’s O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Howard is fifth in the NFL with 487 receiving yards and tied for third with five touchdowns.
“One of the answers is Landon,” Bettcher said Thursday. “I love the matchup with him on great tight ends, I really do. That’s one thing he’s built to do. I think it’s not just on his plate, though. It’s on the other guys. If we’re bringing four and we’re playing coverage, we’ve got to win some 1-on-1s (up front). Each and every week, we’ve got to get a little bit better.”
Overall, the Giants have fared much better against tight ends under Bettcher than they did with Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator last season. That unit allowed at least one touchdown to an opposing tight end in nine straight games to begin the year.
This year, only the Eagles’ Zach Ertz has reached the end zone against New York. All tight ends have 512 receiving yards against the Giants, which ranks 16th in the league.
Collins, a 2016 First Team All-Pro, has long been heralded as an elite run defender. But this season his pass coverage has actually been better, according to Pro Football Focus. The site grades his play in coverage 14th-best among all safeties.
“I’m always excited about the opportunity, honestly,” Collins said. “I get to play against some of the best tight ends in the game and showcase my skills, and I’m always up for the challenge.” to me since I was here, since the first day I walked in this building,” receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said Thursday. “A guy who I watched work very hard at practice, and I tried to follow him and do what he does. Of course he’s coming. He’s got to come here. The game is in New York. We’re all waiting on him. We’re expecting him, and it will be good to see him. Hopefully, we’ll keep him off Eli, for sure.”