After they lost eight of their first 10 games of this season, the New York Giants looked completely dead in the water.
But with rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito replacing the injured Daniel Jones, they have now won three games in a row, and while they likely won’t make the playoffs, there may be a glimmer of hope for them.
Another reason for the glimmer of hope has been the play of outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is having a strong sophomore year.
He has been the subject of criticism since entering the NFL, but he says he doesn’t use that criticism as motivation, per Giants Videos on Twitter.
“I’ve been playing good football, and that’s the only story there is to it. I’m not playing good ball because people wrote negative things about me, or because I’m trying to prove everybody wrong. This is what I do for a living, I’m proud to do it.”
– Kayvon Thibodeaux pic.twitter.com/OgP0csbya4
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 14, 2023
Last year, Thibodeaux, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 draft, posted only 4.0 sacks, and while he made the All-Rookie Team, plenty of people were disappointed in him.
He has received criticism for not putting forth consistent effort or intensity, but it is important to note that his role in defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s defense didn’t necessarily allow him to put up big sack numbers.
This season, however, Thibodeaux has 11.5 sacks, which puts him ninth in that category.
New York’s defense has struggled this year, as they rank 25th in points allowed, 29th in rushing yards allowed, and 30th in rushing touchdowns given up, but perhaps it would be unfair to blame Thibodeaux for those struggles.
The team clearly needs an infusion of talent on both sides of the football, and on offense, it has a big question mark, as star running back Saquon Barkley, its only real threat there, will once again be a free agent this offseason.
The post Kayvon Thibodeaux Downplays A Narrative Surrounding Him appeared first on The Cold Wire.