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The New York Giants are now being run by John Harbaugh, one of the NFL's premier coaches. Like many head coaches in this league, Harbaugh began his NFL coaching career in 1998 as the special teams coordinator under Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles, so teams are near and dear to his heart.
They also are very important to a team's success. Bill Parcells called them "one-third" of the game plan and always made sure he had top names on the field on kickoffs, punts and field goals.
This season, the Giants have wiped the slate clean on special teams and are heading in new directions at every position. Here is a quick breakdown of who's who as they begin training camp this week.
Horton coached under Harbaugh in Baltimore for 12 seasons, mainly special teams. Under Horton, the Ravens' special teams were among the best in the NFL. He will bring a newfound importance and strategy to the teams, and no longer will the Giants be hustling to find answers on game day.
The 27-year-old former Penn State Nittany Lion star was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in the 2022 NFL draft and is coming off his best season as a pro in 2025. He was named a First-team All-Pro and was a Pro Bowl selection. The Giants inked Stout to a three-year, $12.3 million free-agent deal this past March. He is seen as a major upgrade from Jamie Gillan, the Giants' punter the past few seasons.
Sauls was the last man standing from last year's kicker carousel that became a league-wide embarrassment. He will battle Dominic Zvada, a big-legged rookie UDFA out of Michigan, for the job after the Giants signed and released veteran Jason Sanders this spring.
The Giants initially were going to go with 35-year-old Zach Triner at long snapper, but after landing Mann following the draft, they cut Triner and are going with the rookie. Mann, who played his college ball at Boston College, is a bit undersized at 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, and the Giants are going to give him a shot to win the job in camp.
With Gunner Olszewski gone with an Achilles injury, the Giants can go in many directions here. Two incoming free agents who may get a try at the position are wide receivers Braxton Berrios and Calvin Austin III. Another possibility is rookie running back Damon Bankston, who was an explosive kick returner at New Mexico last year.
Cornerback Deonte Banks could be back returning kicks this year, especially if he doesn't crack the starting lineup on defense. Berrios has experience in the role and, of course, if Bankston can sneak on the roster, this will likely be where he is used.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants training camp preview: A revamped special teams
Continue reading...
They also are very important to a team's success. Bill Parcells called them "one-third" of the game plan and always made sure he had top names on the field on kickoffs, punts and field goals.
This season, the Giants have wiped the slate clean on special teams and are heading in new directions at every position. Here is a quick breakdown of who's who as they begin training camp this week.
Special teams coordinator Chris Horton
Horton coached under Harbaugh in Baltimore for 12 seasons, mainly special teams. Under Horton, the Ravens' special teams were among the best in the NFL. He will bring a newfound importance and strategy to the teams, and no longer will the Giants be hustling to find answers on game day.
Punter Jordan Stout
The 27-year-old former Penn State Nittany Lion star was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in the 2022 NFL draft and is coming off his best season as a pro in 2025. He was named a First-team All-Pro and was a Pro Bowl selection. The Giants inked Stout to a three-year, $12.3 million free-agent deal this past March. He is seen as a major upgrade from Jamie Gillan, the Giants' punter the past few seasons.
Kickers Dominic Zvada, Ben Sauls
Sauls was the last man standing from last year's kicker carousel that became a league-wide embarrassment. He will battle Dominic Zvada, a big-legged rookie UDFA out of Michigan, for the job after the Giants signed and released veteran Jason Sanders this spring.
Long snapper Ben Mann
The Giants initially were going to go with 35-year-old Zach Triner at long snapper, but after landing Mann following the draft, they cut Triner and are going with the rookie. Mann, who played his college ball at Boston College, is a bit undersized at 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, and the Giants are going to give him a shot to win the job in camp.
Punt returner
With Gunner Olszewski gone with an Achilles injury, the Giants can go in many directions here. Two incoming free agents who may get a try at the position are wide receivers Braxton Berrios and Calvin Austin III. Another possibility is rookie running back Damon Bankston, who was an explosive kick returner at New Mexico last year.
Kick returner
Cornerback Deonte Banks could be back returning kicks this year, especially if he doesn't crack the starting lineup on defense. Berrios has experience in the role and, of course, if Bankston can sneak on the roster, this will likely be where he is used.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants training camp preview: A revamped special teams
Continue reading...
