Deonte Banks was called out last week by his position coach for what was perceived to be a lack of effort on a key play.
There will be none of that after the cornerback’s play in the Giants’ 29-20 win over the Seahawks, with Banks clocking in with a more-than-credible job against dangerous wide receiver DK Metcalf.
So, were the harsh and public words of defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson in some way a spark that ignited Banks’ improved performance 10 days after failing in a loss to the Cowboys?
“I don’t want to speak for you guys. So, whatever you think,’’ head coach Brian Daboll said of making that correlation. “ ’Te is in a good spot. He keeps working hard. We’re going to need to keep improving all of our young players that have played.’’
Banks, 23, is a 2023 first-round pick and remains one of the youngest players on the roster.
In Week 4, he was beaten badly by CeeDee Lamb on what turned into a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception.
Banks did not exactly bust a gut chasing Lamb, who all but waltzed into the end zone.
Late last week, Henderson commented on how Banks handled that play: “Didn’t like it. Liked nothing about it. We expect it from him, and he expects it from himself, but in that moment, he failed.”
Banks conceded that point, saying, “It’s a bad finish by me.’’
There were no concessions made in Seattle.
Banks covered Metcalf on 35 routes, and, according to Next Gen Stats, Metcalf caught two of four targets against Banks for 24 yards.
On one of those passes, a 10-yard completion, Banks reached in and caused a fumble by Metcalf that rookie safety Tyler Nubin recovered on the Giants 23-yard line.
Metcalf finished with four catches for 55 yards.
Banks earned a season-high grade of 84.6 in the game from Pro Football Focus.
He had not graded out above 55.8 in any of the previous four games.
“Jerome is a good football coach,’’ Daboll said. “He’s been doing this for a long time; [former] player in the league and coach. I think he has a good relationship with all his players. I thought ’Te did some good things. Again, there’s plenty of things that we can all clean up. But it was a good step to get that ball out there on DK after they were driving down on a big play and get his hands on some balls to break them up. I thought it was a tough challenge there against DK the entire game. But, young players, still keep on improving them.’’
Daboll did not have an update on rookie WR Malik Nabers, who did not travel to Seattle while still in concussion protocol.
It will be revealing if Nabers is or is not on the field in some capacity on Wednesday, 13 days after suffering a concussion against the Cowboys.
The Giants allowed only two rushing yards in the first half on Sunday.
That is the fewest rushing allowed in a first half since Oct. 2, 2005, when the Rams ran for zero yards in a 44-24 Giants victory.
