New York Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabers is aware of he “let his staff down” with a key drop late in final Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Washington Commanders.
If Nabers reeled within the fourth down cross from quarterback Daniel Jones on the Washington 10-yard-line, the Giants almost certainly would have gone on to win the sport. As a substitute, they’d ultimately lose, 21-18, within the remaining seconds.
“It’s only a second I’ve received to place behind me and proceed to go on the market and catch further passes after follow,” Nabers advised reporters on Wednesday. “I’ve been doing it anyway, however simply carry on making an attempt to get catches afterward.”
The drop has clearly been on the rookie’s thoughts however he is aware of there are higher occasions forward. He simply may use it as motivation to be even higher.
“You’ve received to maintain your head down, work just a little bit more durable,” he mentioned. “Keep along with the folks on this locker room and keep collectively as a staff.”
Jones doesn’t consider that drop will weigh too closely on Nabers, who caught 10 passes for 127 yards and his first NFL landing within the sport.
“He’s a competitor and holds himself to a excessive commonplace. I believe you understand that fairly shortly spending any time with him. He expects to make each play,” Jones advised reporters on Wednesday. “It was a tricky one for him, however I do know he’ll bounce again. He’s a assured man, and I believe it was fairly clear we wouldn’t have been in that scenario with out his efficiency and all he had finished all through the sport. He’ll be again, and he’ll proceed to be an enormous a part of what we do.”
Nabers was focused 18 occasions within the sport. He has 25 targets over the primary two video games this season; solely the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp (27) has extra. Nabers’ 193 receiving yards are at present the fourth-highest within the NFL.
Jones is aware of his success will likely be straight tied to Nabers’. He likes what he’s seen up to now.
“He’s finished a very good job. Are available in and performed nicely,” Jones mentioned. “I believe in matchup conditions the place he’s one-on-one with a man, he’s received and made explosive performs for us time and time once more. He’s finished a very good job and been a giant assist to us up to now.”
This week, Nabers will face off in opposition to Cleveland’s three-time Professional Bowl cornerback, Denzel Ward, who’s second in passes defensed via the primary two weeks of this season.
Though Ward is a really succesful nook, he may get some assist from teammates to make sure Nabers doesn’t break their backs. Jones mentioned the Giants are absolutely conscious that Nabers has turn into a spotlight for opposing defenses this early in his profession.
“I believe guys can get doubled in several methods. In zone protection, in man protection and the way you scheme or the way you reply to that depends upon that. However we’re assured he can beat double protection,” he mentioned.
If Nabers is actually the Giants’ subsequent celebrity, he can proceed to forge that legacy this week with a bounce-back efficiency.
