Story by
GM Joe Schoen happy with Giants roster, expects to compete 'week in and week out'
- Story by
- GM Joe Schoen happy with Giants roster, expects to compete 'week in and week out'
In just 11 days, the Giants will take the field to face the Dallas Cowboys, opening their season under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football.
General manager Joe Schoen met with reporters on Wednesday to give a bit of a "state of the team" address, discussing where the roster stands following the cutdown to 53 players.
Advertisement
Here are some of the highlights…
On the overall roster heading into the regular season
As you might expect, Schoen said he's happy with where all three phases of the ball stand heading into the season opener. With Jaxson Dartheading into Year 2 and Malik Nabershopefully healthy enough to be a star receiver, Schoen likes how the roster has panned out to this point.
"I feel good about the group that we have and expect us to be competitive week in and week out," Schoen said. "I really like the group, both sides of the ball, special teams. The cutdown was very difficult this past weekend from a depth standpoint, some difficult decisions that we had to make.
Advertisement
"Again, really competitive group, had a competitive camp, and I like out team, I like where we are. Now really we've just go to go out and do it, but I do like the roster… and I'm looking forward to how things go on Sunday against the Cowboys."
On John Harbaugh's involvement in player personnel
As Harbaugh prepares for his first regular season game on the Giants' sideline, Schoen gave him credit not just for the work he's done as a coach, but also for how involved he's been with roster decisions, be it the draft, free agency, or trades.
Schoen said Harbaugh is "immersed" in the personnel side of things, and "thinks outside the box" when it comes to player personnel.
Advertisement
"With Coach Harbaugh, he's invested in it. He's got a passion for not just coaching and Xs and Os and schemes, but the personnel part of it," Schoen said. "So, that helps a lot. If we all have the same vision when the player gets here, it's going to be important that we're all invested in the same vision and you see it out. That doesn't always happen that way."
On Deonte Banks' impressive camp
One of the biggest pleasant surprises for the Giants during training camp and the preseason has been cornerback Deonte Banks. The former first-round pick has struggled the last two seasons, but he's been perhaps the best corner on the roster so far this preseason, making a push for considerable playing time.
Schoen gave the Giants coaching staff credit for believing in Banks and working with him, but also said he's proud of the player for what he's accomplished to this point.
Advertisement
"He's had a really good camp and hopefully can continue to build on the camp that he's had," Schoen said of Banks. "He had a really good day out there yesterday at practice, so he continues to stack days and he's working really hard and hopefully he can continue on that trend.
"But I'm proud of Te. Corner's not an easy position. Your confidence can go up and down, and he's continued to battle and fight and he's taking advantage of the opportunity that he's had this year."
On Odell Beckham Jr. making the roster
Schoen was asked if he had any involvement in Beckham reclaiming the No. 13 jersey from Jalin Hyatt, and while he wasn't a part of those negotiations, he's happy to have Odell on the roster.
Advertisement
"I wasn't here previously with him and I didn't have a relationship previously with Odell," Schoen said, "but it's been good getting to know him and I've always admired him from afar. … Hoping he has a good season for us."
