New York Giants First Quarter Season Grades
Special Teams Grades: A-
Oct 4, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Giants kicker Josh Brown (3) and punter Brad Wing (9) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The improvement in special teams is something the Giants targeted this offseason, and thus far those investments have paid off. Dwayne Harris and Jonathan Casillas were given big contracts for players known mostly as special teams players and they have no disappointed.
Harris has been solid in the return game, averaging 30 yards per kickoff return and 8.7 yards per kick return. It has helped the offense avoid poor starting field position, which is always a plus. But, his best contributions on special teams may be on coverage teams. Harris is a premier gunner on punt coverage and showcases that weekly.
His performance there has been a big help to Brad Wing. The Giants acquired Wing from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a seventh round pick right after the preseason ended, and it has proven to be a great move. Wing has been a huge improvement over fan favorite Steve Weatherford. Wing is averaging 43.5 yards per punt, which ranks him 25th and would make people think he has been ineffective. That couldn’t be further from the truth. His strength is angles and positioning, and it has been on display every time he takes the field.
Opposing teams have averaged only 4.6 yards per punt return against the Giants, as Wing combines solid hang time with angled punts towards the sidelines. Also, of his 20 punts, Wing has gotten eight fair catches and 12 inside the 20 yard line, which ranks tied for third and first in the NFL. You can’t beat that.
In the kicking department, Josh Brown has continued to be solid. He has made all 10 of his field goal attempts, with a long of 50 yards. He did miss an extra point against the Bills to ruin his perfect kicking percentage, but it ended up not hurting the team as they got the win.
The only real negative from this unit is the fact that Brown doesn’t get many touchbacks. Teams have had 15 returns against the Giants, which is the most allowed on the NFL. They have given up one touchdown return on the season, but their 23.5 yards per kick return allowed is middle of the road. It would look much better if not for the 101 yard return allowed for a touchdown against the Redskins.
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