New York Giants Face Decisions After Greg Joseph’s Missed Field Goal

Could Greg Joseph be one-and-done as the New York Giants’ placekicker?

Signed off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad last week to replace the injured Graham Gano, Joseph badly missed a 48-yard field goal on Sunday with 3:00 to go that would have secured the Giants’ eventual victory over the Cleveland Browns.

“We’ll sit down and talk personnel stuff later today,” said head coach Brian Daboll. “You’d like him obviously to make that kick. He didn’t, but he’s done a good job when he was here in practice. And we’ll talk about what we’re going to do here.”

The Giants have a short week facing the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. That might make it difficult to change kickers.

Four kickers worked out for the Giants last week before the Giants plucked Joseph from the Lions. One of those was Randy Bullock, who made 5 of 6 field goals over six games for the Giants last season, including a 56-yarder, while subbing for an injured Gano.

The 34-year-old Bullock remains unsigned.

Cornerback Concerns for the Giants

The Giants entered the season with questions about their cornerbacks. Injuries and the play of 2023 first-round pick Tae Banks in the role of CB1 are not quieting those questions.

The Giants were without Nick McCloud on Sunday as he missed a second straight game with a knee injury. It would seem unlikely he would be able to play Thursday vs. Dallas. Starting slot cornerback Dru Phillips left Sunday’s game against Cleveland after seven plays with a calf injury. Adoree’ Jackson also suffered a calf injury.

The Giants were left with 6-foot-4, 238-pound Isaiah Simmons playing 26 snaps in the slot and Art Green, elevated from the practice squad to help on special teams, playing the first 11 defensive snaps of his career.

Cor’Dale Flott can play either the slot or outside, but the Giants will have to figure out how to handle the spot he does not play. CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ best receiver, spends most of his time in the slot.

The other issue at cornerback is that Deonte Banks has struggled thus far in his new role as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. Banks was targeted 12 times on Sunday, giving up six receptions and two touchdowns — both to Amari Cooper.

Banks has given up just 13 completions in 23 targets (56.5%), but has surrendered three touchdowns and has a passer rating against of 121.9. His passer rating against in 2023 was just 84.9.

“He was tight on a lot of coverage (vs. the Browns) and I thought they made some nice plays. Some good throws and catches,” Daboll said. “He was right there on a number of them. I have a lot of confidence in Banks.

“Sometimes those guys are going to make plays.”

Giants Prepare to Face Cowboys After Last Season’s Blowout

The Cowboys embarrassed the Giants at MetLife Stadium in last season’s season opener, winning 40-0. Daboll said he isn’t using that as motivation this week.

“I think each individual person is motivated by different things. My main focus is getting ready to play this team in 2024,” Daboll said. “The team that’s just played these first three games — different players, different schemes, making sure that we’re prepared, doing a good job in our walkthroughs and our meetings and our communication.

“Our focus is on the task at hand.”

Rookie Receiver Malik Nabers Making an Impact

Is rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers better than the Giants thought when they drafted him No. 6 overall?

“I think he’s confident in his skill set. I’m confident in his skill set,” Daboll said. We target him a fair amount.

“I think he’s earned that. He’s earned the right to have those opportunities and look one game, it might, I don’t know what he’s had 30 (targets) the past two weeks. There’ll be adjustments throughout a game where things are happening and everybody’s going to have to be dialed in, but he’s a competitive young man. He’s just a football player.”