DeAndre Baker insists his confidence has not been lacking, even if his coverage has been.
The Giants’ rookie cornerback has taken his licks through the first two games of the season and is allowing opposing quarterbacks to record a perfect 158.3 passer rating when they throw his way, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I think as the game [against the Bills] went on, you saw him probably challenge people more,” defensive coordinator James Bettcher said Thursday. “I think that’s what he does best. He has to just believe in what he does best and go do it. At the same time, position coaches in the room, myself as the coordinator, we have to challenge him to go do the things that he does best as well.”
When he was drafted 30th overall out of Georgia in April, Baker was lauded for his ability to stay tight in coverage. But in the first half against the Bills on Sunday, he was giving receivers space at the line of scrimmage before closing in during the second half. Baker said his play improved because he moved closer to the line of scrimmage, where he is more comfortable.
“Everything’s [set up] schematically,” Baker said. “It’s adjustments, that’s what we did, … just adjust to the speed of the game.”
Sterling Shepard ditched the yellow non-contact jersey in a full practice Thursday. Hours later, he was finally cleared by an independent doctor and got out of the concussion protocol.
The Giants should get their top wide receiver back Sunday against the Buccaneers after he initially sustained the concussion Week 1 against the Cowboys while catching six passes for 42 yards.
Shepard’s return is sorely needed for a wide receivers group that continues to get banged up. Bennie Fowler was the latest Giants wide receiver to take a hit, tweaking his hamstring in Wednesday’s practice, which forced him to miss Thursday’s practice, along with Cody Latimer (concussion). Both worked off to the side.
“We’re hopeful that [Fowler] will be ready to go,” coach Pat Shurmur said.
Bettcher said cornerback Janoris Jenkins’ frustration about not being able to cover receivers for 10 seconds because of the lack of a pass rush was “not indicative of [Jenkins].”
“This guy has worked his tail off. He cares, he’s committed,” Bettcher said. “I think that was highly taken out of context. I don’t think for one minute he was pointing the finger at anyone else. … We need to coach better, we need to cover better and we have to rush better.”
Right guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder) and cornerback Grant Haley (illness) returned as a full practice participants after sitting out Wednesday. TE Garrett Dickerson (quad) went from limited to full while WR Darius Slayton (hamstring) remained limited.