Commanders WR Terry McLaurin offers candid observations on Giants CB Deonte Banks

Washington receiver Terry McLaurin, who had two touchdowns in the team’s 27-22 victory over the New York Giants last weekend, made a rather telling observation about New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, who, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed the receiver to catch two of three passing targets for 19 yardsthe two receptions go for touchdowns.

Through his film study of Banks, McLaurin opined that the second-year cornerback “isn’t really aggressive in the red zone,” a rather concerning statement considering Banks has now allowed six touchdowns in nine games played, four of them in man coverage. which one leads all cornerbacks in the competition.

McLaurin described his first touchdown reception in great detail about how things unfolded, saying his film study of Banks’ tendencies provided clues on how to win a potential matchup.

“I knew Banks likes to make the play routes in the red zone very slow. He likes to, no pun intended, bank inside, which means he has influence from within. I knew he was playing a little head-up on that route and so I was watching the Cleveland game when (wide receiver) Amari Cooper rocked him a little bit. That was more of a real slant and mine was more of a one-step slant, but the same principles apply. said McLaurin.

“He’s not really aggressive in the red zone for whatever reason and so I knew that if I got a little bit of urgency out of it, he would probably try to get his hands on it quickly and that could make for a really cracking game .

“So I came away from it very slowly. I told Jay (quarterback Jayden Daniels), ‘I’m going to play it slow, whether it’s a fade or a slam, I’m going to play him slow and just let him play a little bit.’ relax in an instant.’ Then it was left for the sudden attack from outside to win inside, and as I said, he threw the ball low and away and only I had a chance to get it.

Banks has had a tough second season for the Giants. His effort was questioned, to the point that he was benched for the entire half of Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Giants passing game coordinator/defensive line coach Jerome Henderson spoke candidly about Banks’ season and why he takes the inconsistent success so personally.

“The point is that he has played well in spurts, but what he has to understand and what I know is that there are 64 plays in a game,” Henderson said last Friday.

“Let’s say there are 58 where you do a great job, no one notices, but there are those other six or seven that you are judged on now, who play when the ball is in my hands, and I have the opportunity to do that doing. a play. Want to see him in those moments, to be brighter, to be bigger. That’s why we set it up.

“That’s what I know he has in him, and I want him to continue to do it consistently and at a high level, and he has what it takes to do it, and it’s my job to get it out of him. “

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