A Gillan tartan if he makes it in New York
New York Giants, complete with an increased Scottish influence, were among the big winners of NFL Week One.
They host Carolina Panthers tonight after a shock 21-20 win at AFC powerhouse Tennessee Titans, and its valiant nature leads Sky Sports pundit, Jeff Reinebold, to predict a much-improved season.
His Special Teams coaching expertise gives him particular interest in the Giants’ Scottish contingent.
Arbroath-born kicker, Graham Gano, formerly with Carolina, is in his 14th season, and the veteran recently welcomed punter Jamie “The Scottish Hammer” Gillan to the Meadowlands.
Gillan, who played rugby at school in Edinburgh, was released by Cleveland Browns last December and, after a spell on Buffalo’s practice squad, he signed a oneyear deal with the Giants.
Reinebold said: “I hope Jamie can get back to the form of his first season in Cleveland. New Jersey isn’t the easiest place to punt – but it’s not as bad as Cleveland or Buffalo in the worst weather!
“As they come through the system, players sometimes have to go through being cut to really ‘get it’.
“A guy handles that by either giving up – which Jamie didn’t – or he fights his tail off to extend his career.
“I’m rooting for him to have a great year. The Giants have a huge fan base, and it’s an iconic franchise.
“What better place for a Scotsman to advertise his wares than New York. I hope they get him a blue-and-red tartan kilt!”
Giants didn’t need Gano to overcome the Titans, thanks to the bold call by new Head Coach, Brian Daboll.
Instead of Gano tying the game by kicking an extra point after Saquon Barkley’s touchdown, Daboll kept his offense on to convert a two-point play.
“It was a gutsy win,” said Reinebold. “They fought back, and we saw the greatness of their running-back, Barkley.
“Daboll got huge equity from his locker room with that call in a pressure situation.”
Giants have reached the play-offs only once since winning the Super Bowl in 2011, and their hopes of challenging Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East were enhanced by injury to Dallas quarterback, Dak Prescott, as the Cowboys lost to Tampa Bay.
Working his way back from a lay-off is Baltimore Ravens’ linebacker, David Ojabo.
The Scottish-Nigerian, who was raised in Aberdeen, was drafted in the second round, despite suffering an Achilles injury six weeks earlier.
Reinebold noted: “That speaks volumes about how big a talent the Ravens feel David could be.
“My information is he’s done a great job with rehab. They’re excited to get him on the field. David could be a catalyst in the second half of the season when the fresh legs of a young pass rusher could seriously impact games down the stretch.”
▪ Sky Sports is the home of the NFL in the UK, with games live every Sunday from 6pm.