Thibodeaux gets challenged by Martindale
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale implied Tuesday that he challenged Kayvon Thibodeaux to raise his level in practice in front of the entire defense, and Thibodeaux responded.
“I expect him to be at the top of everything, and so do we,” Martindale said. “I’ve talked to him about his practice. I think that he heard me clearly.”
Martindale made the unexpected comment in response to a simple question about Thibodeaux’s training camp performance. The defensive coordinator was asked to evaluate his pass rusher’s summer, in particular last week’s joint practices in Detroit.
“I thought that in Detroit, on Tuesday and Wednesday, I think he caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles,” Martindale said. “I expect him to be at the top of everything, and so do we. I’ve talked to him about his practice. I think that he heard me clearly. I talked to him in front of the entire defense.
“So Kayvon is going to be fine, first of all,” Martindale added. “Like I said, he caused two fumbles, and he recovered two fumbles. In the two days, we had like eight takeaways against — what were the [Lions], a top five offense last year? [That] gave us confidence in ourselves and the way we competed there.”
All in one answer, Martindale challenged Thibodeaux while simultaneously supporting him. The Giants know they need their No. 5 overall pick to elevate his game to help the team take the next step in 2023, and the defensive coordinator’s urgency reinforced that.
Martindale said he delivered his practice message to Thibodeaux during a “Keep it Real” period in the defensive meeting room. He said he does it with all of his players to ensure transparency.
He was asked if he didn’t think Thibodeaux was practicing intensely enough.
“No. I do a ‘keep it real’ with everybody on where they’re at and why they’re there, because the last thing I want as a coach is for a player to drive in this parking lot and not know where they stand, especially this time of year,” Martindale said. “Because I think that we build our relationships, we build our foundation on trust and honesty.
“I tell them what I think and where they stand, and where the competition is, where the line is,” Martindalecontinued.“italkabout all that. So, like I said, we had a great week in Detroit… and I’m excited to take this next step.”
Thibodeaux is expected to speak to the media on Wednesday. It will be interesting to hear how he responds.
Davenport signed to boost OL:
The Giants are signing offensive tackle Julién Davenport after a workout on Tuesday, according to a source.
Davenport, 28, whose signing was first reported by the Daily News, has started 32 career games and played in 60 for the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts. The Paulsboro, N.J., product was a fourth-round Houston pick out of Bucknell in 2017.
Evan Neal, the Giants’ starting right tackle, has been slowly working his way back from an early camp concussion. And the team’s depth tackles struggled in the preseason opener in Detroit.
So Davenport is here to add competition and experience for Saturday’s second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers and beyond.
Former Uconn star Matt Peart has been playing in Neal’s place at right tackle with the first-team O-line opposite franchise left tackle Andrew Thomas. Korey Cunningham and Wyatt Davis have been the second-team left and right tackles, respectively.
Guard/tackle Tyre Phillips (leg) remains sidelined, and the team waived/injured reserve tackle Devery Hamilton (left foot/ankle injury) on Tuesday to make room for special teams linebacker Ray Wilborn, whom they claimed from the Denver Broncos.