The New York Giants will have an all-new kicking operation this year under head coach John Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Chris Horton.
Gone are the days of putting “teams” on the back burner. Just like another Giants coach from the past, Bill Parcells, Harbaugh truly believes that special teams is one-third of the game.
That is why the Giants blew up their mess of a situation from last year and added all-new people. At punter, Harbaugh imported his All-Pro from the Baltimore Ravens, Jordan Stout, who will also serve as the holder for field goals and extra points.
The kicker spot is still being sorted out. Currently, it’s a two-man race between undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls, who finished last season with the job for the Giants. There’s still a possibility that a veteran free agent could fall into their laps if they see him as an upgrade.
The long snapper will also be new. The Giants signed Boston College’s Ben Mann after the draft. They are hoping that he can become their next Zak DeOssie.
So far, Stout said he hasn’t had to give the rookie much guidance in training camp.
“I haven’t told him too much. He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Stout told Giants.com. “He’s working his butt off. I feel like confidence comes from preparation, and the way he’s preparing, nothing needs to be said. At any moment, if he needs to come to me for advice, I’ll be there to give it to him, but yeah, I don’t think there’s anything he needs to hear right now.”
Mann is a natural long snapper. So much so that they felt confident enough to let veteran Zach Triner go this spring, leaving Mann the lone player at his position in training camp.
It’s his job to lose. With Stout in his corner, he’s in good hands.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants’ Jordan Stout praises Ben Mann’s work ethic: ‘Nothing needs to be said’
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Fennelly, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
