Big Blue View Mailbag: Deonte Banks, Kickoff Rule, Andrew Thomas, and More
Deonte Banks' Journey to the Big Apple
Deonte Banks, a cornerback from Maryland, has signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. Banks, who started his college career at Kansas before transferring to Maryland, has drawn comparisons to Giants' Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry. Like Bradberry, Banks possesses exceptional size and athleticism, standing at 6'2" and running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. In his final season with the Terrapins, Banks recorded 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, and 39 tackles.
The Impact of the New Kickoff Rule
The NFL has implemented a new kickoff rule aimed at increasing player safety. Under the new rule, touchbacks will be brought out to the 25-yard line instead of the 20-yard line. This change is designed to reduce the number of high-speed collisions that occur on kickoffs. While the rule aims to improve player safety, it could also lead to more touchbacks, giving offenses a shorter field to work with.
Andrew Thomas' Progress in Year Two
Andrew Thomas, the Giants' first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is expected to take a significant step forward in his second season. Thomas, who struggled at times as a rookie, has been working hard in the offseason to improve his technique and strength. Giants offensive line coach Rob Sale has praised Thomas' progress, saying that he looks "much stronger and more confident" heading into the 2022 season.
Other Notable Topics Discussed
- The Giants' decision to sign former Jets cornerback Bryce Hall.
- The potential impact of rookie wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson.
- The Giants' chances of making the playoffs in 2022.
Conclusion
The Giants have a lot of questions to answer heading into the 2022 season. However, the team has a lot of promising young players, and if they can stay healthy, they could be a surprise team in the NFC.
