If there is strength in numbers, the Giants will have a formidable lineup of captains this season.
They have 10 of them, all voted on by their teammates. There were no slots reserved for offense or defense. This was an open ballot.
The captains: Quarterback Daniel Jones, left tackle Andrew Thomas, running back Saquon Barkley, tight end Darren Waller, kicker Graham Gano, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, defensive lineman Leonard Williams, inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, safety Xavier McKinney and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.
A total of 22 different players received votes.
“That, to me, is good for our team in terms of how players perceive other players in leadership roles,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “Just because you’re not a captain doesn’t mean you’re not a leader on the team.’’
It is a nod to the impact Waller and Okereke made in their first summer with the team that they were voted in. Okereke signed in free agency, and Waller was acquired from the Raiders for a third-round draft pick.
“Honestly that’s one of the biggest honors you can get, as a player on a team to be voted by your peers, to be voted by your teammates as a captain,’’ Okereke said. “It’s something I don’t take lightly at all.’’
Okereke was not a team captain in his four years with the Colts, but he made it in Year 1 with the Giants.
Asked what he thinks he showed his new teammates, Okereke said “I think just discipline, hard work, just a lot of intangible stuff that really doesn’t take any talent, just showing up and working and being a guy they can count on.’’
Waller was a team captain with the Raiders in 2021.
“It means a lot, something you don’t take for granted,’’ Waller said. “I don’t come in to try to earn a ‘C’ on my jersey, I just come in to try to impact guys in a positive way because I know I’m somebody that’s been in the league longer than a lot of guys in the locker room have so they might look at me to see how has he been able to sustain through good times and through bad. Try to set an example like that, and if it manifests into being a captain then I’ll continue to try to do the same things I’ve been doing, as far as uplifting guys and being a positive example.’’
Eight of the 10 captains are repeats from last season. Long snapper Casey Kreiter and special teamer Cam Brown were replaced this year by Waller and Okereke.
“I think the players respect them,’’ Daboll said of the newcomers. “They’ve gone about their job the right way and performed out on the field whether it be in practice or some of the games.’’