E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat
writer for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995. He is the author of 26 books
and he is one of only three sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls.
Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.
WILL JENKINS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE RAMS, HIS FORMER TEAM AND THE GIANTS'
OPPONENTS ON SUNDAY? By
Dave Klein
Years and years ago, clearly more than your correspondent would like to remember,
coaches heading into meaningful games frequently picked up a player who had recently
been with that team in order to find out all they could about the personnel and
strategies. In the case of the Giants,
who play the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in London, there are two such players on
the roster - cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who has been on fire the past several
weeks, and newly-signed Coty Sensabaugh, who spent the summer, preseason and the
start of the season with the Rams after being signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent
from Tennessee. Well, Rams' head coach
Jeff Fisher said that from the tapes he has seen, "Janoris is playing as well
as any cornerback in the league," and he has, indeed, been a highlight for the
now 3-3 Giants. "We weren't happy to
see him leave," said Fisher, whose team, like the Giants, has a 3-3 record. "Jackrabbit
[his nickname] is an outstanding cornerback.
And Giants' head coach Ben McAdoo agrees, unequivocally. "He's playing good football,"
McAdoo said. "He's aggressive, he's a competitor. Everything about him is as it
was advertised. The thing that surprises you is that you really don't know what
a guy is like until you get him in here and he's a tremendous leader. Tremendous
example for the young players." Jenkins
(5-10, 200, North Alabama), has the only two interceptions recorded by the team
through the first half-dozen games. "He learned our style quickly, and he has
proven to be a quality asset," McAdoo added.
It's a good thing he's on the roster, too, since rookie Eli Apple, the first-round
pick, has been more out than in games suffering with a persistent groin sprain.
As for Sensabaugh (5-11, 190, Clemson), McAdoo began to play his word games. Asked
whether the team can learn anything from him, since he has been with the Rams,
his response was: "He's doing a nice job adjusting to what we're asking him to
do, and that's our focus." Jenkins,
who insists he is as happy with the Giants as he was with the Rams, said: "Before
I signed with the Giants, I told them [the Rams] that I wanted to stay, but it
was part of a business plan, and it didn't work out. It was hard, but business
is business. I am gone and I am here now."
Fisher repeated and elaborated on his feelings. "It was a disappointing loss for
us," he said on a conference call from London. "He's an outstanding young man,
one of my favorites that I've ever had an opportunity to coach. With all due respect
to the other corners in the league right now, it's hard to find one who is playing
better than he is." Jenkins isn't about
to celebrate because his former coach is covering him with platitudes. "I am just
playing football and doing what I do," he insists. "That is a nice compliment,
but I am just going to stay focused and continue to play football."
EXTRA POINTS - The Giants will leave for London Thursday on a charter flight from
Newark Liberty Airport, while the Rams are already there and have had the chance
to practice on the game site of the game, Twickenham Stadium. ... Upon their return,
the Giants will have a bye week, then three consecutive home games - against Philadelphia,
Cincinnati (Monday night, Nov. 14) and Chicago.
Four Giants did not take place in practice Wednesday, wide receiver Odell Beckham,
long snapper Zak DeOssie, offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse and rookie safety
Darian Thompson. ... Those listed as limited included Apple, safety Nat Berhe, linebacker
Keenan Robinson and cornerback Trevin Wade.
McAdoo, who said after the victory over Baltimore that he wants to stay committed
to the running game (even if it isn't working), will not go back on that statement.
... "We just need to improve," he insisted. We've had a couple of down weeks but
I'm confident that the guys will step it up this week. Again, it's not just the
offensive line, it's a combination of everything [play caller included, and that's
him]. We just have to get it going."
The Rams are favored by 2 ½ points. ... Odell Beckham was named the NFL's Offensive
Player of the Week after his eight receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns
vs. the Ravens. ... Check
out Dave's website at E-GIANTS
where you can subscribe to his newsletters which
run much more frequently than what is available here. - Team Giants
NOW
- Send a request to davesklein@aol.com
for a free week's worth of news!
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