New York Giants rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker admits he’s having trouble with the playbook after Monday’s loss to Dallas.
Every rookie in the NFL has their issues. It’s a new chapter in their football-playing careers and a change of scenery that’s a step above what they experienced in college. Needless to say, it’s okay to struggle as a first-year player. The issues will be worked on in order to find consistent improvement.
New York Giants rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker has had his fair share of problems this year. Unfortunately, they continued Monday night in the team’s Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. On a specific play in the fourth quarter, the Giants were in a man-to-man defense, but it appeared that Baker was playing zone. This led to a 45-yard touchdown reception for Dallas wideout Amari Cooper.
Baker obviously had some explaining to do after the game. When speaking to the media, the young University of Georgia product actually admitted to having issues with the playbook.
“Just the plays and everything like that,” he said of what he needed to improve on, per Matt Lombardo of nj.com. “The playbook. Just knowing the plays. Knowing what I need to do. Knowing my assignment.”
This is literally the last thing you want to hear from someone who’s started every single game this year. Nine weeks in and you still don’t know the playbook? It’s an embarrassment to admit that, especially when you’re an individual the Giants actually traded back into the first round to select.
Baker must improve quickly and consistently. And yes, it starts with him taking a longer look at that playbook.
