Giants' Jevon Holland serious about showing leadership, and he has contributed on the field, too

After each Giants practice this week, Jevon Holland walked to the JUGS machine to catch some balls.

It’s usually something receivers do, not safeties.

Given the fact that Holland has made two interceptions in two games, practice makes perfect. Besides his interception Monday, he forced two fumbles by punching the ball out, and he recovered one of them.

Holland’s commitment to extra work after practice is a reminder that he’s one of the players on John Harbaugh’s leadership council. He’s backed up that role heading into Sunday’s game against the Titans at MetLife Stadium.

Holland, though, doesn’t think he’s leading by example. He’s doing what he expects to do as a leader. Master the details. Make plays. Stay ready.

“It’s not necessarily ‘something needs to be done, I need to do it,’ but more so, I need to do my job,” Holland said. “And so what are the keys to doing my job? What is my process play-in and play-out in doing my job so that I can be the most efficient, communicate in a clear manner, work my technique?

“Do my job. And then, after my job is done, take advantage if a play comes to me.”

Holland already has doubled his interception total from last season. His IQ and sharp attention to detail were reasons why the Giants signed him last year as a free agent.

If outside linebacker Brian Burns misses time after an ankle sprain suffered Monday, Holland and inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds will have to step up. They’re the experienced voices for a defense that needs stability after a strong outing in Week 1 followed by a miserable one against the Rams.

It’s a role in which Holland thrives. When the Giants added him, his new teammates were familiar with his professionalism on the Dolphins and knew he’d raise the standard.

“I always looked at him as like this is how you’re supposed to be,” cornerback Dru Phillips said. “A real pro in this league. He does everything the right way. At times, I get jealous. I’m like . . . I want to do it like that. This man does everything right.”

Holland learned that mentality from his father, Robert, a six-year veteran of the Canadian Football League. In addition to having his son watch hours of film while growing up, Robert taught him that leadership isn’t doing only what’s required. Leaders explain what you’re doing so others can follow.

So Holland developed a meticulous approach to football. Hours of film study. Practicing details over and over again. Helping teammates understand how to be better. As he put it, let your body of work speak for itself. That leads to respect.

“What I’m trying to do as a leader is to establish myself as a player so that my teammates can trust me to do my job,” Holland said. “Once they trust me to do my job, then I need to know the playbook and go out there and do it. Then the communication part becomes easier because in their head, they respect me.”

Rookie cornerback Colton Hood said Holland has been a helpful resource when he asks questions about different play calls or looks. Hood noted that Holland often will give advice unprompted if he sees something on tape or on the field.

At times, he can be assertive if mistakes need to be cleaned up.

“He’s very raw. He will call guys out and he’s not scared of it,” Phillips said. “I respect it about him. He’s not going to say it behind your back. If you’re messing up, he’ll say it. So respect it. It brings a leadership to this room that we haven’t had for a while.”

For Holland, that comes from learning his teammates. Last year, when he was a new face in the locker room, some adjustment was needed, but now he knows how to motivate and gauge what each player needs to hear.

“I just try to get to know my teammates as much as possible so I know their personality,” he said. “When they do need something, I’m able to provide that for them while also letting them know I need them as much they need me.”

He’s backed up those words with actions. On his first interception, he ran across the field to grab a pass from Dak Prescott. On the second interception Monday, he ran to help Hood cover Davante Adams and snatched the ball.

Phillips and Wilson weren’t surprised at how effective Holland was in punching out both fumbles. He makes that play a priority in practice, and it showed up against the Rams.

“He’s a player that does all the little things correct,” Wilson said. “Jevon is making the plays he’s supposed to make because he’s in position. He’s being where he’s supposed to be and then once the ball is in the air, he’s reacting violently to it.”

Maybe it’s just comfort in Year 2. In Holland’s second Dolphins season, he was named a captain, becoming one of the youngest in team history.

His second Giants season already is off to a fast start. Holland sees it as simply following the plan his dad taught him. Master the details. Do your job pre- and post-snap. Then go make a play.

Holland sees that as being second nature — just like doing extra drills after practice to stay sharp.

“Intense focus for six seconds a play,” he said. “Once I do my job, everything will just fall where it may.”

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.