[ad_1]
His brother is the one nicknamed “Greedy,” but Rodarius Williams didn’t leave many plays for anyone else to make Friday at Giants practice.
The rookie cornerback had a hand in both interceptions of Daniel Jones, securing one himself and deflecting a pass that was snared by Jabrill Peppers for the other. With Adoree’ Jackson’s reps limited for rest, Williams took advantage of his first practice with the defensive starters — and he was vocal enough to let everyone know it.
“I feel like, in this game, you definitely have to show guys you’re not scared,” Williams said. “You go out there quiet as a mouse, they’re going to feel like they’ve got the upper hand on you. So even though I’m a rookie, I’m showing them, ‘You have to beat me at the end of the day.’ ”
If there are two days Williams is looking forward to this month, circle Aug. 19-20, when the Giants practice against the Browns in Berea, Ohio. His brother, Greedy Williams, is a third-year cornerback for the Browns. It will be their first time on the field together in a game since high school, though they train together in the offseason.
“We’re definitely going to talk [trash] every day,” Rodarius said. “Even right now in camp, I’m letting him know, like, yeah, I’m here.”
Sixth-round picks are not necessarily roster locks, but rookie third-rounder Aaron Robinson has been out since the start of training camp after core muscle surgery this spring, creating an opportunity for Rodarius to follow Greedy’s lead.
“He already knows what’s coming,” Rodarius said. “It’s definitely good to have a brother over there who everybody knows. They know Greedy is going to make plays, and now, it’s my turn. Simple as that.”
Rodarius credited his interception to film study. In his words, he read a hook route, turned on the jets and undercut the receiver. It showed he has the skill — as well as the brash confidence — to play man-to-man coverage as the Giants hope to do under defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson.
“I think every DB in the room has the same fire underneath their butt,” he said. “We’re a deep group, so everybody is looking for their one opportunity. Every day, I just show up and take advantage of whatever opportunity I get. I’m in coach’s ear like, ‘Coach, I’m ready.’ ”
There’s still no timetable for rehabbing running back Saquon Barkley’s return to practice.
“We’re going to have conversations on a daily basis about his rehab and conversations on a weekly basis at times on where we think he is coming up,” head coach Joe Judge said. “If I’m on that part of the field and he’s over there working, I’ll look over and watch him. In terms of watching film, if there’s something specific the trainers want to show me to highlight something he has done, we’ll go through that together.”
Kicker Graham Gano noticed last week when it was the one-year anniversary of his release by the Panthers. Instead of the end of his career, it was a fresh start, as he made 31 of 32 field goals for the Giants last season and earned a three-year contract extension.
“I thought about sending them a little anniversary card, a little thank you,” Gano quipped. “I was thankful for my time there. I just love playing this game.”
[ad_2]
Leave a Reply