New York Giants guard Will Hernandez came into the NFL with a reputation for being a hard-nosed road grader who backed down from no one.
Hernandez proved that early on when he went head to head with the biggest player on the Giants’ defense, Damon Harrison.
During the final practice of minicamp last spring, Hernandez got into a scrap with veteran nose tackle Damon Harrison. As punches and bodies flew, Harrison ripped Hernandez’s helmet off his head and violently swung it at the rookie’s unprotected head while he was on the ground.
Giants head coach Pat Shurmur immediately blew the whistle, sent both players to the showers, and spent several moments chewing his team out after the fracas last June, before getting back to work.
The two faced off for a half a season until Harrison was dealt to Detroit at the trade deadline for a draft pick.
This week, Hernandez will line up across from “Snacks” again as the Giants head to Detroit. Hernandez isn’t looking at the matchup any differently than any other opponent, however. He claims the incident from last year is ancient history.
“No grudges,” Hernandez told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. “I’m going to go hard either way. I never care about who’s in front of me. I’m going to come out and play as hard as I can.”
Hernandez did say that his clashes with Harrison have made him a better player.
“Right away I knew that I had to come in and earn my stripes,” Hernandez said. “He’s really good technically. A lot of defensive linemen will come after you, and some of them, their technique is only here and there, but he’s really consistent with it.”
Hernandez is Pro Football Focus’ ninth-ranked guard. Harrison, who made an impact last year for the Lions, isn’t performing up to that level this season.
“(Harrison) simply hasn’t delivered,” writes MLive’s Kyle Meinke. “He has just 15 tackles and has participated in a run stop on just 4.5% of his snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranks 109th at the position.”
Harrison acknowledged he’s not bringing it at the moment.
“Obviously, it’s very disappointing, especially having the guys we have in the room,” Harrison said. “It really starts with me up front. I have to do a better job in the middle in getting some of those plays I’m used to making that I’m not making this year.”
