Giants' Paulson Adebo shows promise in first audition as shutdown cornerback
Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo during training camp on July 28. Credit: Ed Murray
In most cases, if a defense holds a team to 21 points, that’s a decent day at the office. The Giants aren’t like most teams, though.
It did little good against the Commanders Sunday when the last two possessions weren’t great. The Giants allowed Jayden Daniels to lead an 80-yard scoring drive, then watched running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt escape for a 42-yard run that put the game on ice.
Nobody wanted a verbal pat on the back for keeping the Giants in it — especially when the run defense gave up nearly seven yards per carry.
“Their defense held our offense to less points,” cornerback Paulson Adebo said. “For us, it’s about beating their defense, right? There are things that we can clean up. There are ways that we can be better. So, 21 points is too many points in my opinion.”
Still, there are positives to look at. Take Adebo, for instance. His Giants debut was spent shadowing Commanders All-Pro receiver Terry McLaurin. It was a new role, since Adebo didn’t have top duties in his first four years with the Saints.
It’s also been a while since the Giants had a No. 1 cornerback assigned to travel with the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver. Even James Bradberry, in his 2020 Pro Bowl season, wasn’t usually deployed that way.
The results show that Adebo’s day was mostly a success. McLaurin had just two catches for 27 yards, although he was overthrown by Daniels on a potential long touchdown where he was wide open.
Still, he was neutralized most of the game and Adebo can take most of the credit.
“I thought he played well,” coach Brian Daboll said of Adebo. “Terry’s a really good player, explosive offense, but that’s something we’ve been working on as well. Thought [Adebo] did a nice job throughout the entire game.”
Daboll added that whether or not Adebo will travel with No. 1 receivers will be decided on a week-to-week basis.
The Giants made Adebo their highest-paid free-agent signing last spring for a reason — inking him to a $54 million deal over three years.
He hasn’t shied away from that responsibility, whether it’s been mentoring Deonte Banks or having an expanded role generally. Yet being paid like a No. 1 cornerback means acting like one on the field and Adebo handled it well.
“I think you definitely want to do whatever is best for the team,” Adebo said. “So, if that’s taking out their No. 1 guy [for] a week and taking on that challenge, then absolutely.
“Sometimes it’s a matchup thing. Sometimes it’s a scheme thing. I think you don’t want to get your ego involved in it. Like, I don’t want to take the guy every time — it’s more just like, hey, we’re trying to win the game. Whatever is needed, we’re willing to do.”
It adds to a defense that showed its pass rush can live up to the hype. Brian Burns had two sacks and rookie Abdul Carter split a sack with Kayvon Thibodeaux.
If Adebo can prove to be a shutdown corner, that’s another sign of improvement for a secondary that was a sore spot last year.
But a greater test comes Sunday in Dallas.
Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb has carved up the Giants over his career. In six of his 10 games against them, he’s had at least 84 receiving yards — and three with over 100. He’s scored in four different games.
Adebo knows firsthand about the challenge that Lamb presents. Lamb faced Adebo’s Saints in Week 2 last season and put up 90 yards and a touchdown on four catches, including a 65-yard touchdown.
While Adebo acknowledged the Cowboys have other weapons, including the addition of receiver George Pickens, Lamb draws the most attention.
“Pretty much an elite receiver. Does everything well — runs well, catches the ball well,” Adebo said. “So somebody you’ve got to prepare for.”
It’s too soon to say if Adebo can develop into a shutdown corner, but Sunday could be another chance to figure that out if he’s assigned to shadow Lamb. If Adebo can repeat what he did last weekend, it’s another positive for a defense that may have to carry the load until this offense gets right.
McFadden out for weeks
Daboll said linebacker Micah McFadden did not break his leg after he was injured last Sunday, but he won’t be back soon.
McFadden suffered a foot injury that will cause him to miss a significant part of the season, a league source confirmed to Newsday. It’s a blow for the Giants, who lose one of their starters. McFadden had a career season last year, with a team-high 107 tackles.
McFadden is in the final year of his contract.
The Giants could turn more to second-year linebacker Darius Muasau, who replaced McFadden Sunday. Muasau was targeted immediately though, as Commanders tight end Zach Ertz got by him for a touchdown.
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.
