With Daniel Jones expected to be sidelined for the New York Giants’ next game in Seattle, veteran Colt McCoy is likely to assuming the starting quarterback role.
McCoy, the 11-year Texas product, has been around the block for a while. He has passed for 6,111 yards and 29 touchdowns in his career. While it has not been anything illustrious, McCoy has been a serviceable reserve option for a couple of teams during his tenure.
Now, in his latest stint with Big Blue, McCoy will have the opportunity again to come in and offer his experience. This experience has been praised by his fellow teammates including one of his top pass catchers.
Sterling Shepard, the Giants’ longest-tenured player, has been the best Giants wideout since he returned from injury six games ago. In that period, Shepard has hauled in 33 receptions for 283 yards and one touchdown. Now he will slide in as McCoy’s top threat against a Seattle defense who has been ravaged by the pass.
While they have not played together for long on the game field, Shepard feels confident in their connection from their work together in practice.
“We’ve gotten a lot of work done in practice and after practice as well. I’ve been with him since camp. Then obviously, we went to work a little bit in the offseason as well. I’ve got a lot of work with him and have a lot of confidence in him,” Shepard told reporters on Tuesday.
On the other side of the ball, safety Jabrill Peppers, who is top five on the team in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and passes defended, has also had complimentary to say about McCoy.
“His experience. He diagnoses coverages really well; very fast, he gets through his progressions really well. He has some tricks that he likes to throw at us. Whether it’s his no look passes or looking off the safety, throwing it back side,” Peppers said.
Peppers, as a defensive starter in the defensive backfield, has gotten a lot of work going against McCoy in practice. This has given him the chance to get a feel for the veteran’s tendencies and abilities and Peppers has been impressed so far.
“He’s very experienced, very savvy. He’s a guy who can make all the throws. I definitely have the utmost confidence,” Peppers added.
If the Giants do end up missing Daniel Jones on Sunday, they will hope that the words of Sterling Shepard and Jabrill Peppers stand true as the Giants need every win they can get to make the playoffs.
