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If defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is working on a secret cornerback cloning machine, now would be a good time to reveal it.
As the Giants learned the last time they faced the Cowboys, sticking Pro Bowler James Bradberry to Amari Cooper doesn’t accomplish much when Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb are also 1-caliber receivers.
“All three of these guys could fit into that tag of being a top receiver for a team and a star game guy,” Giants coach Joe Judge said.
What sets the Cowboys trio apart? The stats tell part of the story, as Cooper, Gallup and Lamb are responsible for 210 catches, 2,759 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 games. Darius Slayton, the Giants’ leader in receiving yards, would be fourth over the Cowboys.
“You have a lot of receivers throughout the league who are maybe bigger, faster targets who are downstream threats. Then you get other guys who are maybe a little smaller and faster who are catch and escape threats, ”Judge said.
“These guys are all a good size, they have really good speed, they can increase their speed and maintain their speed on the court, they have good hands to make hard-fought holds, but they do an exceptional job of extending the games.” .
Pieces from recent game tapes come back to Judge’s mind: Cooper on a slope, Gallup on a screen, Lamb settling in the middle. All big winners without the risk of a deep shot.
You might think of running back Ezekiel Elliott first when it comes to the Cowboys’ offense, but it’s the receiving body that makes it such a tough game for the Giants in more ways than one.
“They receive all these distinctions, do they block?” Graham said. “What stands out to me are the guys coming in and blocking.”
And they are rewarded with air. Bradberry held Cooper in check in a Week 5 reunion, but Lamb made eight catches for 124 yards and Gallup made back-to-back catches covering 57 yards to establish the winning field.
“It’s a special group,” Xavier McKinney told security. “We are definitely entering the game prepared and ready for a dog fight.”
McKinney missed the first rivalry game after foot surgery, but is now part of the Giants’ high school strength: a three-point rotation with Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan.
McKinney is in the slot more than expected ahead of his training camp injury, although compatriot Darnay Holmes (knee) is leaning towards a comeback after missing three straight games.
McKinney and Lamb have faced each other once before in a national college football playoff semifinals when McKinney’s Alabama beat Oklahoma despite Lamb catching eight passes for 109 yards from Kyler Murray.
“I always thought he was a great receiver,” McKinney said. “It was definitely a problem to be sorted out at the university.”
Graham has relied on disguised area cover to protect his inexperienced cornerbacks, but quarterbacks are starting to find the weak spots. Veteran Andy Dalton saw nothing.
“Andy is very smart at figuring out where he needs to go with the ball,” Judge said. “He doesn’t hold it very long. Most of his passes are actually made within 20 yards. But that doesn’t mean it’s not an explosive piece.
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