Big Blue View
The mail’s here!
Wes Protheroe: The Giants passing game has difficulty in the red zone and rarely stretches the field. Yet they have two receivers on their roster that rarely use could which potentially improve these areas. Isaiah Hodgins at 6’3” is a big target, has good hands and can catch the ball in traffic. In 2022-23 he was one of DJ’s top targets and scored 8 touchdowns on 63 receptions (including playoffs). This year he is rarely activated. Last year the Giants traded up to get Jalin Hyatt and he averaged 16.2 YPC on 23 receptions. This year he is rarely targeted. Shouldn’t the Giants be playing Hodgins and Hyatt at least situationally to see if they improve their Red Zone and deep passing attack? They also need to better understand whether Hodgins and/or Hyatt can help replace Slayton’s who will be a FA after this year. Your thoughts?
Ed says: Wes, maybe the Giants have judged their personnel correctly. Maybe they haven’t. Don’t you think, though, that if they believed Hodgins or Hyatt were better than Darius Slayton or Wan’Dale Robinson that they would be playing.
Let’s talk about both guys.
Hodgins is on the practice squad, not the 53-man active roster. He was elevated for the games when Malik Nabers was in concussion protocol. I don’t want to hear about how the Giants need to learn more about Hodgins. He was with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen for several years in Buffalo before the Giants claimed him in 2022. They have had him for years, and know exactly what he is.
Hodgins had a nice run during the second half of 2022. He’s a decent possession receiver. Honestly, I have ben a bit surprised at how far he has fallen in the pecking order. The Giants see more upside with Robinson, Slayton and even Hyatt.
As for Hyatt, no doubt his lack of development/playing time/production this season has been a disappointment. I have said this before, but the simple truth is Slayton is a better player. The better player plays. This isn’t rec ball where everybody gets a chance.
Hyatt can run like the wind. Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown anything else. I have seen him in the locker room and he is still incredibly skinny. Hyatt had a huge adjustment coming out of a very simple spread attack at Tennessee. There are some whispers that even halfway through his second season he may not have a full grasp on what he’s being asked to do. If you can’t get open and be where the quarterback expects you to be, why should you be playing?
*David Kanter asks: Hi, Ed. They’re giving a lot of young players snaps every week. A lot of us have a hard time understanding what the deal is with Hyatt. I don’t see the argument that he hasn’t developed as a reason not have him on the field TO develop. What are we missing? Can we conclude that they don’t feel he...
