No sweat, right? In fact, it\u2019s the opportunity the Giants defense wants to prove they\u2019re a better unit. A unit that added a turnover chest this offseason to incentivize to a group that had a franchise-low\u00a0five interceptions last\u00a0season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t want it any other way, especially after the year they had last year,\u201d cornerback Dru Phillips said. \u201cWe\u2019re coming in with a new team as well. You\u2019re going to find out real fast but we\u2019re excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
Games aren\u2019t won or lost with words. The Giants know Daniels\u2019 dual-threat ability all too well after the Commanders won both meetings last season.<\/p>\n
Daniels should be better in Year 2 and the Giants know it. Linebacker Brian Burns<\/a> said as much last week, noticing how the game slowed down for him last season. Phillips added teams can throw Daniels different looks yet he still finds a way to make plays.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen now what he can do but he\u2019s still the same player, he still gave everyone problems last year,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s still the same task at hand so it\u2019s exciting to go against a quarterback like that because you don\u2019t know what they can bring each day. It\u2019ll be exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t just about Daniels. It\u2019s about the defense making a good first impression after it was called out by president\/CEO John Mara following last season. It\u2019s about showing that the $136.5 million spent this offseason on defensive upgrades was worth it.<\/p>\n If cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland are impact players who cost nearly $100 million combined, they must help\u00a0the secondary contain All-Pro Terry McLaurin and newly added Deebo Samuel to make Daniels\u2019 day difficult.<\/p>\n If cornerback Deonte Banks wants to keep his starting job? Prove it Saturday that battling Cor\u2019Dale Flott for the job made him better. Of course, that depends who starts, since both were listed as starters opposite Adebo on the unofficial depth chart.<\/p>\n If the pass rush is supposed be special, then Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux<\/a> and Dexter Lawrence need to set a tone. They need to put hits on Daniels and not let him escape without feeling their pressure.<\/p>\n Of course, there\u2019s one more person in that group. Linebacker Abdul Carter won\u2019t have to be great in his first NFL game. But it won\u2019t hurt if introduces himself to Giants fans with a sack or a few quarterback hurries.<\/p>\n Most importantly, the Giants need to stop the run. That was their biggest weakness last season, and Lawrence\u2019s presence for 12 games didn\u2019t make things any better. So memo for new defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and the Giants linebackers: this is where you prove your value.<\/p>\n Daniels\u2019 best asset is escaping the pocket, keeping plays alive and taking off for big gains. He avoided big hits despite his slight frame. That\u2019s where this defense needs to be effective. Keep Daniels\u2019 legs from doing damage despite his arm being just as effective.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a dynamic football player, he\u2019s accurate, he\u2019s good under pressure, he\u2019s good in situations,\u201d coach Brian Daboll said. “He can bring his team from behind, he gives his players opportunities to make plays in the passing game and he\u2019s unique in the running game, the way they utilize him.\u201d<\/p>\n Sure, the Giants\u2019 offense will draw attention Sunday with Russell Wilson. But if this team wants to improve, the defense needs to make a statement too. Show that Burns, Lawrence, Thibodeaux and Carter can be a four-headed monster up front that scares opposing quarterbacks.<\/p>\n