Kicker: Graham Gano
Graham Gano, at 37 years old and standing 6’2” and 202 lbs, enters the 2024 season following a difficult previous year marked by a left knee injury. Originally an undrafted free agent from Florida State, Gano went 11/17 on field goals and 8/8 on extra points last season. He also had 28 kickoffs with an 82.1% touchback rate. His performance in his last game was notably poor, likely exacerbated by his injury. Gano has been participating in OTAs, but questions remain about his full recovery. Can he return to his usual form? At his age, how much longer can the Giants rely on him?
Punter: Jamie Gillan
Jamie Gillan, 26 years old and 6’1” and 207 lbs, had 95 punts last season, averaging 46 yards per punt with a net average of 42 yards. While his yards per punt decreased slightly, his focus on location improved his net yardage and reduced his touchback percentage from 12.2% to 4.2%. He also achieved a career-best 36.8% of punts within the 20-yard line, and return yards decreased from 347 in 2022 to 283 in 2023, despite an increase in the number of punts.
Long Snapper: Casey Kreiter
Casey Kreiter, 33 years old and 6’1” and 250 lbs, has been with the Giants since 2020. An undrafted free agent from Iowa, Kreiter was a Pro Bowler in 2018 with Denver. The Giants have had no issues with his snapping, following the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, there are considerations about how much longer he will continue playing.
Punt Returner Options
Gunner Olszewski, with 24 returns averaging 11.7 yards per return and 1 touchdown last season, and Isaiah McKenzie, who averaged 8.9 yards per return with the Colts, are primary candidates. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, and Dante “Turbo” Miller are also in the mix, although their return stats are less impressive.
Kickoff Returner Options
Isaiah McKenzie leads with 6 returns averaging 25.3 yards per return last season. Gunner Olszewski, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Dante “Turbo” Miller, Jashaun Corbin, and Eric Gray provide additional depth, with Tracy Jr. showing promise with an average of 25.5 yards per return.
Special Teams Stars
Matthew Adams, Carter Coughlin, Darnay Holmes, Isaiah Simmons, and Nick McCloud are key players, contributing significantly with tackles and overall special teams play. Adams notably had 11 tackles, ranking 14th in the league, which is a considerable improvement over Cam Brown, who departed in the offseason.
Do the Giants Need to Add to Their Special Teams Via Free Agency?
Are the Special Teams Better in 2024 than 2023?
Special teams should see significant improvement this year. A healthy Graham Gano alone is a huge benefit. The coordinator change, with Michael Ghobrial replacing Thomas McGaughey, should bring a fresh perspective and new strategies. McGaughey was not a bad coach, but his time had run its course, and Ghobrial's leadership is expected to revitalize the group.
Giants 5th OTA Practice Report
NY Giants Waive Gary Brightwell & Sign DB Elijah Riley
NY Giants Add Incentive Money to Darius Slayton’s Contract??
Darren Waller Releases a New Music Video!?!?
All Episodes are shot LIVE with fan interactions on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, & Twitch
Sponsor the show at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs
Interested in starting a podcast. We recommend using buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2012368
Kicker: Graham Gano
Graham Gano, at 37 years old and standing 6’2” and 202 lbs, enters the 2024 season following a difficult previous year marked by a left knee injury. Originally an undrafted free agent from Florida State, Gano went 11/17 on field goals and 8/8 on extra points last season. He also had 28 kickoffs with an 82.1% touchback rate. His performance in his last game was notably poor, likely exacerbated by his injury. Gano has been participating in OTAs, but questions remain about his full recovery. Can he return to his usual form? At his age, how much longer can the Giants rely on him?
Punter: Jamie Gillan
Jamie Gillan, 26 years old and 6’1” and 207 lbs, had 95 punts last season, averaging 46 yards per punt with a net average of 42 yards. While his yards per punt decreased slightly, his focus on location improved his net yardage and reduced his touchback percentage from 12.2% to 4.2%. He also achieved a career-best 36.8% of punts within the 20-yard line, and return yards decreased from 347 in 2022 to 283 in 2023, despite an increase in the number of punts.
Long Snapper: Casey Kreiter
Casey Kreiter, 33 years old and 6’1” and 250 lbs, has been with the Giants since 2020. An undrafted free agent from Iowa, Kreiter was a Pro Bowler in 2018 with Denver. The Giants have had no issues with his snapping, following the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, there are considerations about how much longer he will continue playing.
Punt Returner Options
Gunner Olszewski, with 24 returns averaging 11.7 yards per return and 1 touchdown last season, and Isaiah McKenzie, who averaged 8.9 yards per return with the Colts, are primary candidates. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, and Dante “Turbo” Miller are also in the mix, although their return stats are less impressive.
Kickoff Returner Options
Isaiah McKenzie leads with 6 returns averaging 25.3 yards per return last season. Gunner Olszewski, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Dante “Turbo” Miller, Jashaun Corbin, and Eric Gray provide additional depth, with Tracy Jr. showing promise with an average of 25.5 yards per return.
Special Teams Stars
Matthew Adams, Carter Coughlin, Darnay Holmes, Isaiah Simmons, and Nick McCloud are key players, contributing significantly with tackles and overall special teams play. Adams notably had 11 tackles, ranking 14th in the league, which is a considerable improvement over Cam Brown, who departed in the offseason.
Do the Giants Need to Add to Their Special Teams Via Free Agency?
Are the Special Teams Better in 2024 than 2023?
Special teams should see significant improvement this year. A healthy Graham Gano alone is a huge benefit. The coordinator change, with Michael Ghobrial replacing Thomas McGaughey, should bring a fresh perspective and new strategies. McGaughey was not a bad coach, but his time had run its course, and Ghobrial's leadership is expected to revitalize the group.
Giants 5th OTA Practice Report
NY Giants Waive Gary Brightwell & Sign DB Elijah Riley
NY Giants Add Incentive Money to Darius Slayton’s Contract??
Darren Waller Releases a New Music Video!?!?
All Episodes are shot LIVE with fan interactions on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, & Twitch
Sponsor the show at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs
Interested in starting a podcast. We recommend using buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2012368