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New York Post
The compelling potential Malik Nabers presents for Giants offense
By Mark Cannizzaro,
10 hours ago
Mike Groh isn’t the demonstrative type.
The Giants receivers coach, while affable, doesn’t exude the same loquacious nature his father, Al, once did when he was an NFL assistant.
When it comes to speaking to the media, Mike Groh comes off like a coach who’d prefer to be in the background, not on the front line.
Mike Groh looks on at Giants practice on July 25, 2024. USA TODAY Sports
But Groh, since the time in the offseason when HBO was filming its “Hard Knocks’’ episodes involving the Giants, was not afraid to stick his chin out for the receiver he believed in most as the team was readying for the NFL draft.
You may have seen the episode in which the receiver-starved Giants had the three top college prospects at the position in for visits — Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.
“So, you’re on the clock right now, you gotta make a decision, one of those three?” Giants president and CEO John Mara asked Groh of the three.
“I have absolute confidence in the way he’s going to perform,’’ Groh said Sunday. “He hasn’t given us any reason to doubt the kind of competitor and the kind of player he is. He’s risen to every challenge.
“I read that we threw him the ball 11 times in the two practices against Detroit and he caught 10 of them. That’s a pretty good percentage.’’
Malik Nabers speaks to the media after Giants practice on Aug. 6, 2024. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
The Giants got a minor scare near the end of Sunday’s practice when Nabers landed awkwardly on his left ankle and twisted it, leading to him sitting out Monday’s practice. They have not had a true No. 1 receiver since they traded the enigmatic Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland after the 2018 season.
Before Beckham’s Giants career, which was interrupted by injuries, contract disputes and controversy, the team had Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks as a top duo.
Jones’ health (a concern because of his injury history) along with his performance will serve as the unquestioned keystone to the Giants’ success in 2024.
So, too, will Nabers. If Jones is 1A in importance to the offense, the 21-year-old former LSU star is 1B.
Malik Nabers warms up prior to the Giants’ preseason win over the Lions on Aug. 8, 2024. Getty Images
The early returns on Nabers — from inside the organization — have drawn raves.
“He has shown me that he’s a true No. 1 receiver in this league,’’ Giants defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson said. “There are going to be some corners on other teams that are going to see this guy and have their hands full. They’ll see this dude is a big-time player.
“It’s been good for our guys to work against him, our corners on the outside to see him on a daily basis, because you can’t take a play off against him.’’
Malik Nabers in drills at Giants practice on Aug. 11, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Giants cornerback Nick McCloud concurred: “You can tell that he’s different from everyone else. When you line up against him, you’ve definitely got to be locked in. He’s explosive, he’s a smart player and he’s going to compete at the highest level.’’
As the Giants have lost many more games than they’ve won in recent seasons, there have been a number of reasons for Jones’ struggles — whether you want to term them excuses is up to you.
Top among those reasons (excuses?) have been injury issues and bad play from the offensive line and poor production from the receiving corps.
“We’ve transformed the room,’’ Groh said of the receiving corps. “It’s certainly the fastest group probably that I’ve ever been around. We can threaten people on all levels.’’
And no player presents more of a threat than Nabers.
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