June 25, 2025 • 17 mins
On this episode of the Giants Huddle podcast, John Schmeelk is joined by the Giants wide receivers, Jalin Hyatt, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and Wan’Dale Robinson, to discuss how the room is gelling, what it’s like working with the new quarterbacks, and how this offense can get more explosive plays.
:00 - Jalin Hyatt
8:40 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette
12:24 - Wan’Dale Robinson
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time to get inside the Giants.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Let's Giants, the Giants Bubble, give me some jump. Part
of the Giants podcast network. Let's roll. It's time for
another Giants Little podcast, brought to you by Citizens, the
official Bank of the Giants. I am John Schmelk. Today
it's the targets, It's the wide receivers. The Giants have
a lot of players in that room, with a lot
of varying skill sets, some young players, some rookies and
(00:24):
potential burgeoning superstar and elige neighbors. It's a fun group.
Looking forward to talking to them today, the Giants wide
receiver group. And now we're joined by Giants Wide receiver
Jalen hi Jaalen. What's going on?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Man doing good? Man doing good? Blessed to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
So it's been a lot of fun watching you in
the spring. Has it been as much fun working in
the spring has it been.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Watching It's been fun, you know, getting back on the
field you know again, you know, being with new guys,
you know, with Russ and uh, you know other guys
that we you know, brought in from preegency or the
draft and you know, just being there with them and uh,
to see what type of team we can be, you know,
this year and you know, developing that relationship.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
It seems like you've really the good relationship with Russell Wilson.
What is it about the way he's approached you this
first press conference he mentioned you he's single jet as
somebody who's looking forward to working to What has it
been like doing that relationship with him?
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, it's been good. Uh.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
You know, Russell, he's a He's a true, true pro
and how he goes about his business, how he goes
about his day. And for me, just you know, being
around that, you know, trying to see you know, his consistency.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Uh see how he works.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Every day and uh, just a train Uh you know,
change myself and change how I think and you know
my mentality you know when I step on that field.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
One thing all the receivers have said is that he
lets you know and he's very clear about what he
wants from you guys, what he wants you to do
with how he wants you to do it. What does
that mean in practice when you're right there on the field.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Yeah, I mean it's all it's all time, and it's
all time, and you know, you know, being in the
right spot. Uh, you know, when he wants you there.
Trusting you know, it's all about trust, you know. You know,
can you trust your receivers? Can you trust your quarterback?
And you know, for a quarterback, perspective is, you know,
can it receive it being the spot that I want
them at? And for receiver, you know, perspective is if
I'm getting open, can I get the ball? You know,
(02:05):
And once those two sides are working, you know, that's
when the relationship, you know, continues to build.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
So that's what I'm working on.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
What were your big goals just heading into this offseason,
trying to get back and be a better player?
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Uh, for me, it's just consistency, being disciplined, making the
players that come to me, you know, and once you
do that, more opportunities, you know, they come.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
So that's that's really my mindset.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
I'm sure you heard your teammate Darius said. He said,
I think Jay will put on fifteen to twenty pounds
of muscle in the offseason. I'm like, that's it's a lot.
Do you want to share how much you did add
if at all?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Yeah, I mean I played at like one seventy one
seventy one last year about now, so really, yeah, I'm
telling you that's what That's what darkness does to you.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
It changes you.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Yep, you even't lost any speed though.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Oh now speed will stay there.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
But for me, it's just uh, you know, learning to
run at this way, learning to uh, you know, play faster,
play bigger, play stronger through contact. And you know, I
felt like I was one of the things that I
need to work on from last season.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Just felt like, uh, just felt weak. So just had
to get stronger.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
I think that's fantastic. You mentioned trying to play through contact.
Now in the spring, there's not as much as that, right,
there's no pads. It's not really as much contact. You're
looking forward to seeing how this will translate once the
pads do come on. You know, the giant to bring
a pulse in the debo, that guy's a freaking monster.
He's like to ten, Like, no, for sure using that
in the summer.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
You know, like you say, you know right now this
is all about you know, developing relationships and you know,
learning your teammates, and you know this really in the
in the real thing. Yet you know, when trainee camp
comes back and you know about five weeks. You know,
that's when things start, you know, really really start kicking
in and uh preseason and obviously you know the season,
so you know, I'm really that's what I'm looking forward to.
(03:53):
I've been looking forward to the season since the last
game of last year, so it's been a long time,
but it's coming now.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I'm not tracking this every play, but I'm out here
watching every practice, and my sense is that they're moving
at all the receivers around a little bit more. Right,
I'm seeing you, I saw you inside a little bit more.
What has that been like moving to a lot of
the different spots, So just.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
You know, I had a good conversations with Dave's and
Joe Shane about, uh, you know at the last year,
you know, what we can do to you know, have
a better you know year three, you know for me
going to my year three, and that was one of
things that you know, I know I pointed out was,
you know, I want to move around. Don't want to
just stay on the outside. You know, I played slot
at Tennessee and uh, you know, I just want to
feel that slide again and at the same time still
(04:35):
play outside. You know, just move me around, so you know,
you can get get in the game, feel the game.
Uh So that's really that's really what my mentality is,
and just being there, being being in the right spots
that you know, Rest wants me in or whoever the
quarterback is, and just trying to develop that trust, you know,
with the quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
And also to my.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Coaches, why do you like playing in the slot? Uh?
Speaker 4 (04:55):
You know, for me, it's just that's that's I'm just
used to it. You know, I played slot for three
years at ten tennis see and you know, obviously played
it in high school. Uh you know, my first year
playing outside was you know, time I got to league.
So just took me a little minute to adjust because
you know, sliding outside receivers two different things. But uh,
you know, for me, it's just, uh, you know, I'm
comfortable with both sides, you know, being outside of inside.
(05:17):
It's just I just love moving around because you know,
you get to see the matchup, you get to see
what's on you, you get to see if his man to
see it's its own. You know, you go against safeties,
and only that you can feel, you can feel the
game through the speed.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
So you know, that's that's that's probably why.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Final two questions, compare your comfort level in this offense
running all the routes they asked you to run today.
I'm not gonna take you back to when you're a rookie,
but I'm sure then you know that's a whole another
game to where you were at this point last year.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Uh, I can run every route that never been a.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
And you weren't practice, by the way.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Absolutely, yeah, yeah, definitely can run every route. But for me,
it's just you know, showing that, you know, not on
none in the OTA, not many camp but showing it,
you know, preseason, showing it in the game and taking
advantage of my op tunities. Like I said, you know,
obviously I didn't have a lot of opportunities last year,
but I felt like I didn't make most of my
opportunities when I did have him, And uh, that's how
(06:09):
this game goes.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
You know, you you you you.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Take advantage of the opportunities to get more. And you
know that's really my mamset going into the year three.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Final question, what makes the Russell Wilson deep ball as
legendary as it is? Because you know, we all heard about,
we see it on TV, and then you come in
your see in a person like no checks out. Yeah
that works.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
No, He's obviously a great, great player, you know, great
resume that he has and what he's done since he's
been in league. But I think what really makes a
difference that he throws the deep ball.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
You know, he throws it.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
He trusted your he trusted the receiver to go get it,
and uh, you know that's one thing that you know,
he told me, you know, Tom, Tom, we got him.
You know, he called me and you know we had
a good conversation the first day that we signed him.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
And I don't even know who was calling me, you know,
I didn't have.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
His number saved, and like it was this and just
rest on the phone, you know, FaceTime when I was
in Dallas. So just for me, it's just you know,
developing that relationship. But what I want to is that
I want to be in the right spots that Russell
Wilson wants me in and you know, wherever, wherever he
wants me at, that's what I would be. So that's
that's really you know what I'm trying to do, you know,
with this relationship that we have going on, and just
being there for him, you know, whenever he needs help.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Let me just follow up with that. Is it? One
play sticks out to me from from spring. It was
down the right side line right behind us and you
guys who were in perfect coordination on a back shoulder
throw the covers is good. I think it was pauls
in the DBA on you if I'm not mistaken. He
was really annoyed. He's like, I had good coverage, but
you turn the hips late. He put it right in
the spideline. You got your feet and your turn your caught.
It is that the type of being in the right
(07:35):
spot and having that time and right with him is for.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Sure, for sure, you know, it's that's why you know,
that's why I say about saying, you know, being in
the right spots that that he wants you in or
what the quarterback wants to he wants you in, because
that's what it comes down to. You know, it's it's
all about time, and it's all about time. And you know,
obviously he's the d line rush in the NFL these
days are elite. You guys get back there quick, and
(07:58):
you know it makes it harder on the quarterback obviously,
but for receivers, we got to speed up our routes.
We got to speed up our uh speed up what
you know what we gotta do and uh you know,
like you said on that back shoulder. Yeah it was
against Boston, you know, obviously a great corner in this league.
But uh, just developing that relationship that we have. You know, Tom,
I went to San Diego to train with them. Just
being in the right spots, you know, wherever you know
(08:18):
he wants me at and you know, taking advantage.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Of jailing good stuffing man appreciate it, yep always. The
Giants Total Podcast is brought to you by Citizens, the
Official Bank of the Giants. From game day celebrations to
your everyday financial needs, Big Blue fans can get the
most out of every moment with Citizens. Go to Citizens
bank dot com slash Giants hoddle up, get in here.
If you're lined up here, you gotta go over the
middle with at the score great? How do we make
(08:42):
that happen?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
I don't know, Bud, Citizens?
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Does it makes sense of your money with Citizens Official
Bank of Eli Manning? All right, now we're joined by
Giants Wide Receiver and return specials. The Mere Smith Moore
sais here.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
What's going on?
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Man?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Chilling chilling, you know, do cool?
Speaker 3 (08:57):
How cool?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
All right?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
So this is now your second year, Like is your
comfort level in the offense and just in terms of
everything the Giants you're trying to do.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Is it just like yeah, it's definitely up a whole
other level. This would be my first time, you know,
going into the year, you know, in a good spot
and going into the same team with the same team.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
So I was with every team so far for one
year and then.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Cake to the curve.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
So how has it made a difference for you?
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I just feel like they trust me. I feel like
there's a trust there, and you know, I feel like
I played really good and whenever I'm whatever I'm asked
to do, I feel like I do it and I
do it at a high level. And now it's just
you know, taking that step in going out there and
adding to it.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
We spoke it in the last year and I think
I asked you this. I'll ask you again for the
people that maybe didn't listen to the radio pregame show
that week. What's the difference between being a good kick
returner versus being a good punt returner.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
You gotta be fearless kick returnerick kick returners are like
I would say, the job is easier because you don't
have anybody screaming at your face in the moment. But
punk returners you just got to be fearless. You got
two gunners and the whole team coming down, So ten
guys plus the punters, you know, shooting down there as
fast as they can to you know, try to take
you out. And the difference between that and you know
(10:09):
kick return obviously they can't move into the ball is
actually you know, touch the ground or has been caught.
So yeah, the job is a little bit different. And
the way the ball comes off the foot. Kickoffs are
end over end. Punts can be so many different ways,
and you just got to be able to you know,
rely on your technique all your training and then go
(10:30):
out there and you know, fill those balls in any condition.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
So, how did the new kickoff rules change your approach
on kickoff returns and how did it change just kick
returns in general, and your opinion that we've been through
it for a whole.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Year, it's definitely I feel like, you know, it made
it easier. You get a straight line and if you
know football at all, too many people on the same
plane is not good once you break past that one,
that one bro is nothing, but you know the end
zone next, So I feel like it's helped. And then
you know, I'm the type of person that I can
find a whole I could create one and I'm going
(11:04):
to hit it every time. So it made the game
so much easier for me. And I'm trying to go
out there and you know, put on even the bigger
show than what I did last year.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
You think around the league, they you know, they're trying
to create even more have fewer touchbacks. You think we're
going to see not just from you, but in general,
more kick return for touchdowns. As teams trying to figure
out this thing.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
A little bit, I would like to say, yeah, you
got dynamic players, you know, all across the board, and
the way it's set up, I believe that, you know,
the more chances you get, the more likely it is
for you know, those plays that actually come to fruition.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
So now you also have a chance to be in
this offense for a second year, do you think we
might get more of a taste of your wide receiver
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
That's exactly what I want to do. I want to
show the world that I'm actually a good receiver and
I don't even need a lot. If you go through
my whole career at college. You know, early on in
the NFL shoot, I only need the bull. I only
need to touch the ball two three times, and I
might have one hundred yards or something like that. You
get what I'm saying. So I do my work, you know,
in minimum touches. You know when I went Holiday Bowl
(12:02):
and VP I had two catches. I finished the game
with three touchdowns. Get what I'm saying. So it's just like,
I don't need that many chances. But when I do
have the ball, I'm something to see and I'm worth watching.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Efficient and explosive. It's a good combination.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
I love gets the job done.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
You're good stuff that I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
If you want to know how to manage two minutes
of crunch time football, I'm your man. But if you're
wondering about a long term financial plan, you should talk
to citizens. Hey, I can also talk long care.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I'd like to learn about an Mollia routine.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Yes, I knew I could help make sense of your
money with citizens. And now we welcome in Giants wide
receiver Wanda Rominson Wondo. What's up, dude?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
How you doing?
Speaker 4 (12:40):
So?
Speaker 1 (12:40):
How's this offense different heading into this year for you?
Like you've seen this evolve different quarterbacks, and I think
I think Brian David does a great job of justin
what he wants to do to the players. And when
you have a bunch of new quarterbacks, like all new
quarterbacks except for Tommy, things are gonna change. So how
do you think this thing's gonna look different?
Speaker 5 (12:57):
I mean, I definitely think it'll just look different from
the standpoint. Hopefully we have a guy back there that's
just always consistent back there and we don't have to
worry who's overvolving.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Door and things like that.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
But I mean, I just think we'll just continue to
try to create explosives in the run game, in the
past game, and I think as receivers, we just got
to do our jobs and go out there and get open.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Are you enjoying moving around more? You talking about this?
And you know in the media, I j one here
and he's like, dude, I'm back in the slot. This
is awesome, And I'm like, well, if you have the slot,
that means one of those probably outside. Do you do
you like that. Yeah, no, I love it.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
I'm not definitely like getting moved around a lot, and
I I mean, I just think it expands all my routes,
especially on third downs. I run a lot of option
routes and you know, just getting the defenders to back
up a little bit and think, okay, you can run
by me here, and just different routes that I can
run from, different different alignments inside, outside, motioning to a
lot of different places. So just continue to be a
(13:51):
valuable target for the quarterback, even in.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
The spring against your teammates and unpadded practices. Can you
see the impact on defense of backs that having a
quarterback like Russ that's always looking to go vertical can
have on them?
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Oh yeah, no doubt. I mean it's like you give
him one little shot and he's gonna take it in.
It's our jobs to go out there and make those plays.
So I mean, he tells us all the time he's
gonna give us chances. The defenders backs turn, we're gonna
he's gonna throw it up. So it's all nice to
go out there and make the play.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
What makes the rust deep ball, the rust deep ball
that is one of the best in football.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Man, it just drops right in that bucket said, yeah,
I say it's soft, and it's literally it looks like
a punt almost when it's coming down, just with that
tight spiral, and but it looks it's it's really nice
to catch up.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Is it tough adjusting your eyes though? Where you have
to you know, to pick it up especial from shore
when you get into the stadium, especially right if it
has more altitude on it right and more arc on it.
Do you have to adjust how you're locating the ball
in the air.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Definitely a little bit.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
But I mean for the most part, he kind of
judges your speed and he can kind of put it
right there. Haven't had to stop for too many balls
or jump up and go grab something. So it's really
for the most part, been in shy.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
What has it been like gaining chemistry with him? How
has he been easy to work with and trying to
figure that stuff out?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Yeah, I mean he tells you exactly what he wants,
and then obviously he's really he's collaborative with us, even
whenever we're telling him this is how we want to
do a run, a rout or something like that. And
so I mean it's been great. Just nice knowing you
have a vet back there that he's gonna do exactly
what he needs to do and he's going to tell
you exactly what he needs out of you.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
And I know Brian Dable has even with the media,
and he doesn't say much of the media. Yeah, but
one thing he has said to the media is that, look,
we need more explosive plays on offense. Right, do you
see the formula for this offense to look finally start
getting some more explosive plays in the passing game.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think there's any question about
that obviously with the deep balls, and then I think
we can just do some more with the run after
catch too. And I think that this just goes all
together with hand in hand with the quarterback and receivers
just being able to get a catch up a ball
that you can catch and run with and also hitting
him in stride on the deep balls. That way, we
don't have to stop either.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
So hey, look, and I'm seeing a bunch of screen
passes too with the wide receivers. I'm seeing a lot
of running backs going down the field and catching the
balls down the field. I really do feel like the
offense with Russ there just has a very different feel
to it, just in terms of how they're trying to
attack the defense.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Yeah, I mean, yeah, no doubt. I mean, I think
they know he excels it throwing the deep ball, and
obviously I think you know, everybody knows that we would
all like to go deep in the less play draws
that we have the better. So yeah, we're tired of
the ten twelve play drives and one a couple just
four three play drives.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
You know, what are your personal goals you kind of
set out for yourself where you want to improve, where
you want to get better this year.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Yeah, speaking on it, I say down the field, I say,
I mean, I just feel like if I open up
the down the field, stuff underneath will be that much
more open and create that many more opportunities for run
after catching, which I feel like is kind of my
special ability.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
So well, we can't wait to see it. Oneell, thanks dude,
appreciate it, man, Thank you very much. That's the Giants
wide receivers. Great talking to them. It should be a
big year with new quarterbacks in the building, some big
time production from these guys as they try to find
chemistry with this set of quarterbacks, so all the time
we have for the Giants. Total Podcast brought to you
by Citizens Official Banking the Giants. We'll see you next time.
It's time to get inside the Giants.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Let's Giants, the Giants Bubble, give me some jump. Part
of the Giants podcast network. Let's roll. It's time for
another Giants Little podcast, brought to you by Citizens, the
official Bank of the Giants. I am John Schmelk. Today
it's the targets, It's the wide receivers. The Giants have
a lot of players in that room, with a lot
of varying skill sets, some young players, some rookies and
(00:24):
potential burgeoning superstar and elige neighbors. It's a fun group.
Looking forward to talking to them today, the Giants wide
receiver group. And now we're joined by Giants Wide receiver
Jalen hi Jaalen. What's going on?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Man doing good? Man doing good? Blessed to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
So it's been a lot of fun watching you in
the spring. Has it been as much fun working in
the spring has it been.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Watching It's been fun, you know, getting back on the
field you know again, you know, being with new guys,
you know, with Russ and uh, you know other guys
that we you know, brought in from preegency or the
draft and you know, just being there with them and uh,
to see what type of team we can be, you know,
this year and you know, developing that relationship.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
It seems like you've really the good relationship with Russell Wilson.
What is it about the way he's approached you this
first press conference he mentioned you he's single jet as
somebody who's looking forward to working to What has it
been like doing that relationship with him?
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, it's been good. Uh.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
You know, Russell, he's a He's a true, true pro
and how he goes about his business, how he goes
about his day. And for me, just you know, being
around that, you know, trying to see you know, his consistency.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Uh see how he works.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Every day and uh, just a train Uh you know,
change myself and change how I think and you know
my mentality you know when I step on that field.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
One thing all the receivers have said is that he
lets you know and he's very clear about what he
wants from you guys, what he wants you to do
with how he wants you to do it. What does
that mean in practice when you're right there on the field.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Yeah, I mean it's all it's all time, and it's
all time, and you know, you know, being in the
right spot. Uh, you know, when he wants you there.
Trusting you know, it's all about trust, you know. You know,
can you trust your receivers? Can you trust your quarterback?
And you know, for a quarterback, perspective is, you know,
can it receive it being the spot that I want
them at? And for receiver, you know, perspective is if
I'm getting open, can I get the ball? You know,
(02:05):
And once those two sides are working, you know, that's
when the relationship, you know, continues to build.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
So that's what I'm working on.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
What were your big goals just heading into this offseason,
trying to get back and be a better player?
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Uh, for me, it's just consistency, being disciplined, making the
players that come to me, you know, and once you
do that, more opportunities, you know, they come.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
So that's that's really my mindset.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
I'm sure you heard your teammate Darius said. He said,
I think Jay will put on fifteen to twenty pounds
of muscle in the offseason. I'm like, that's it's a lot.
Do you want to share how much you did add
if at all?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Yeah, I mean I played at like one seventy one
seventy one last year about now, so really, yeah, I'm
telling you that's what That's what darkness does to you.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
It changes you.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Yep, you even't lost any speed though.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Oh now speed will stay there.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
But for me, it's just uh, you know, learning to
run at this way, learning to uh, you know, play faster,
play bigger, play stronger through contact. And you know, I
felt like I was one of the things that I
need to work on from last season.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Just felt like, uh, just felt weak. So just had
to get stronger.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
I think that's fantastic. You mentioned trying to play through contact.
Now in the spring, there's not as much as that, right,
there's no pads. It's not really as much contact. You're
looking forward to seeing how this will translate once the
pads do come on. You know, the giant to bring
a pulse in the debo, that guy's a freaking monster.
He's like to ten, Like, no, for sure using that
in the summer.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
You know, like you say, you know right now this
is all about you know, developing relationships and you know,
learning your teammates, and you know this really in the
in the real thing. Yet you know, when trainee camp
comes back and you know about five weeks. You know,
that's when things start, you know, really really start kicking
in and uh preseason and obviously you know the season,
so you know, I'm really that's what I'm looking forward to.
(03:53):
I've been looking forward to the season since the last
game of last year, so it's been a long time,
but it's coming now.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I'm not tracking this every play, but I'm out here
watching every practice, and my sense is that they're moving
at all the receivers around a little bit more. Right,
I'm seeing you, I saw you inside a little bit more.
What has that been like moving to a lot of
the different spots, So just.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
You know, I had a good conversations with Dave's and
Joe Shane about, uh, you know at the last year,
you know, what we can do to you know, have
a better you know year three, you know for me
going to my year three, and that was one of
things that you know, I know I pointed out was,
you know, I want to move around. Don't want to
just stay on the outside. You know, I played slot
at Tennessee and uh, you know, I just want to
feel that slide again and at the same time still
(04:35):
play outside. You know, just move me around, so you know,
you can get get in the game, feel the game.
Uh So that's really that's really what my mentality is,
and just being there, being being in the right spots
that you know, Rest wants me in or whoever the
quarterback is, and just trying to develop that trust, you know,
with the quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
And also to my.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Coaches, why do you like playing in the slot? Uh?
Speaker 4 (04:55):
You know, for me, it's just that's that's I'm just
used to it. You know, I played slot for three
years at ten tennis see and you know, obviously played
it in high school. Uh you know, my first year
playing outside was you know, time I got to league.
So just took me a little minute to adjust because
you know, sliding outside receivers two different things. But uh,
you know, for me, it's just, uh, you know, I'm
comfortable with both sides, you know, being outside of inside.
(05:17):
It's just I just love moving around because you know,
you get to see the matchup, you get to see
what's on you, you get to see if his man to
see it's its own. You know, you go against safeties,
and only that you can feel, you can feel the
game through the speed.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
So you know, that's that's that's probably why.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Final two questions, compare your comfort level in this offense
running all the routes they asked you to run today.
I'm not gonna take you back to when you're a rookie,
but I'm sure then you know that's a whole another
game to where you were at this point last year.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Uh, I can run every route that never been a.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
And you weren't practice, by the way.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Absolutely, yeah, yeah, definitely can run every route. But for me,
it's just you know, showing that, you know, not on
none in the OTA, not many camp but showing it,
you know, preseason, showing it in the game and taking
advantage of my op tunities. Like I said, you know,
obviously I didn't have a lot of opportunities last year,
but I felt like I didn't make most of my
opportunities when I did have him, And uh, that's how
(06:09):
this game goes.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
You know, you you you you.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Take advantage of the opportunities to get more. And you
know that's really my mamset going into the year three.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Final question, what makes the Russell Wilson deep ball as
legendary as it is? Because you know, we all heard about,
we see it on TV, and then you come in
your see in a person like no checks out. Yeah
that works.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
No, He's obviously a great, great player, you know, great
resume that he has and what he's done since he's
been in league. But I think what really makes a
difference that he throws the deep ball.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
You know, he throws it.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
He trusted your he trusted the receiver to go get it,
and uh, you know that's one thing that you know,
he told me, you know, Tom, Tom, we got him.
You know, he called me and you know we had
a good conversation the first day that we signed him.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
And I don't even know who was calling me, you know,
I didn't have.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
His number saved, and like it was this and just
rest on the phone, you know, FaceTime when I was
in Dallas. So just for me, it's just you know,
developing that relationship. But what I want to is that
I want to be in the right spots that Russell
Wilson wants me in and you know, wherever, wherever he
wants me at, that's what I would be. So that's
that's really you know what I'm trying to do, you know,
with this relationship that we have going on, and just
being there for him, you know, whenever he needs help.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Let me just follow up with that. Is it? One
play sticks out to me from from spring. It was
down the right side line right behind us and you
guys who were in perfect coordination on a back shoulder
throw the covers is good. I think it was pauls
in the DBA on you if I'm not mistaken. He
was really annoyed. He's like, I had good coverage, but
you turn the hips late. He put it right in
the spideline. You got your feet and your turn your caught.
It is that the type of being in the right
(07:35):
spot and having that time and right with him is for.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Sure, for sure, you know, it's that's why you know,
that's why I say about saying, you know, being in
the right spots that that he wants you in or
what the quarterback wants to he wants you in, because
that's what it comes down to. You know, it's it's
all about time, and it's all about time. And you know,
obviously he's the d line rush in the NFL these
days are elite. You guys get back there quick, and
(07:58):
you know it makes it harder on the quarterback obviously,
but for receivers, we got to speed up our routes.
We got to speed up our uh speed up what
you know what we gotta do and uh you know,
like you said on that back shoulder. Yeah it was
against Boston, you know, obviously a great corner in this league.
But uh, just developing that relationship that we have. You know, Tom,
I went to San Diego to train with them. Just
being in the right spots, you know, wherever you know
(08:18):
he wants me at and you know, taking advantage.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Of jailing good stuffing man appreciate it, yep always. The
Giants Total Podcast is brought to you by Citizens, the
Official Bank of the Giants. From game day celebrations to
your everyday financial needs, Big Blue fans can get the
most out of every moment with Citizens. Go to Citizens
bank dot com slash Giants hoddle up, get in here.
If you're lined up here, you gotta go over the
middle with at the score great? How do we make
(08:42):
that happen?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
I don't know, Bud, Citizens?
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Does it makes sense of your money with Citizens Official
Bank of Eli Manning? All right, now we're joined by
Giants Wide Receiver and return specials. The Mere Smith Moore
sais here.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
What's going on?
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Man?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Chilling chilling, you know, do cool?
Speaker 3 (08:57):
How cool?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
All right?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
So this is now your second year, Like is your
comfort level in the offense and just in terms of
everything the Giants you're trying to do.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Is it just like yeah, it's definitely up a whole
other level. This would be my first time, you know,
going into the year, you know, in a good spot
and going into the same team with the same team.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
So I was with every team so far for one
year and then.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Cake to the curve.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
So how has it made a difference for you?
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I just feel like they trust me. I feel like
there's a trust there, and you know, I feel like
I played really good and whenever I'm whatever I'm asked
to do, I feel like I do it and I
do it at a high level. And now it's just
you know, taking that step in going out there and
adding to it.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
We spoke it in the last year and I think
I asked you this. I'll ask you again for the
people that maybe didn't listen to the radio pregame show
that week. What's the difference between being a good kick
returner versus being a good punt returner.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
You gotta be fearless kick returnerick kick returners are like
I would say, the job is easier because you don't
have anybody screaming at your face in the moment. But
punk returners you just got to be fearless. You got
two gunners and the whole team coming down, So ten
guys plus the punters, you know, shooting down there as
fast as they can to you know, try to take
you out. And the difference between that and you know
(10:09):
kick return obviously they can't move into the ball is
actually you know, touch the ground or has been caught.
So yeah, the job is a little bit different. And
the way the ball comes off the foot. Kickoffs are
end over end. Punts can be so many different ways,
and you just got to be able to you know,
rely on your technique all your training and then go
(10:30):
out there and you know, fill those balls in any condition.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
So, how did the new kickoff rules change your approach
on kickoff returns and how did it change just kick
returns in general, and your opinion that we've been through
it for a whole.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Year, it's definitely I feel like, you know, it made
it easier. You get a straight line and if you
know football at all, too many people on the same
plane is not good once you break past that one,
that one bro is nothing, but you know the end
zone next, So I feel like it's helped. And then
you know, I'm the type of person that I can
find a whole I could create one and I'm going
(11:04):
to hit it every time. So it made the game
so much easier for me. And I'm trying to go
out there and you know, put on even the bigger
show than what I did last year.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
You think around the league, they you know, they're trying
to create even more have fewer touchbacks. You think we're
going to see not just from you, but in general,
more kick return for touchdowns. As teams trying to figure
out this thing.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
A little bit, I would like to say, yeah, you
got dynamic players, you know, all across the board, and
the way it's set up, I believe that, you know,
the more chances you get, the more likely it is
for you know, those plays that actually come to fruition.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
So now you also have a chance to be in
this offense for a second year, do you think we
might get more of a taste of your wide receiver
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
That's exactly what I want to do. I want to
show the world that I'm actually a good receiver and
I don't even need a lot. If you go through
my whole career at college. You know, early on in
the NFL shoot, I only need the bull. I only
need to touch the ball two three times, and I
might have one hundred yards or something like that. You
get what I'm saying. So I do my work, you know,
in minimum touches. You know when I went Holiday Bowl
(12:02):
and VP I had two catches. I finished the game
with three touchdowns. Get what I'm saying. So it's just like,
I don't need that many chances. But when I do
have the ball, I'm something to see and I'm worth watching.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Efficient and explosive. It's a good combination.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
I love gets the job done.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
You're good stuff that I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
If you want to know how to manage two minutes
of crunch time football, I'm your man. But if you're
wondering about a long term financial plan, you should talk
to citizens. Hey, I can also talk long care.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I'd like to learn about an Mollia routine.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Yes, I knew I could help make sense of your
money with citizens. And now we welcome in Giants wide
receiver Wanda Rominson Wondo. What's up, dude?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
How you doing?
Speaker 4 (12:40):
So?
Speaker 1 (12:40):
How's this offense different heading into this year for you?
Like you've seen this evolve different quarterbacks, and I think
I think Brian David does a great job of justin
what he wants to do to the players. And when
you have a bunch of new quarterbacks, like all new
quarterbacks except for Tommy, things are gonna change. So how
do you think this thing's gonna look different?
Speaker 5 (12:57):
I mean, I definitely think it'll just look different from
the standpoint. Hopefully we have a guy back there that's
just always consistent back there and we don't have to
worry who's overvolving.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Door and things like that.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
But I mean, I just think we'll just continue to
try to create explosives in the run game, in the
past game, and I think as receivers, we just got
to do our jobs and go out there and get open.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Are you enjoying moving around more? You talking about this?
And you know in the media, I j one here
and he's like, dude, I'm back in the slot. This
is awesome, And I'm like, well, if you have the slot,
that means one of those probably outside. Do you do
you like that. Yeah, no, I love it.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
I'm not definitely like getting moved around a lot, and
I I mean, I just think it expands all my routes,
especially on third downs. I run a lot of option
routes and you know, just getting the defenders to back
up a little bit and think, okay, you can run
by me here, and just different routes that I can
run from, different different alignments inside, outside, motioning to a
lot of different places. So just continue to be a
(13:51):
valuable target for the quarterback, even in.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
The spring against your teammates and unpadded practices. Can you
see the impact on defense of backs that having a
quarterback like Russ that's always looking to go vertical can
have on them?
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Oh yeah, no doubt. I mean it's like you give
him one little shot and he's gonna take it in.
It's our jobs to go out there and make those plays.
So I mean, he tells us all the time he's
gonna give us chances. The defenders backs turn, we're gonna
he's gonna throw it up. So it's all nice to
go out there and make the play.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
What makes the rust deep ball, the rust deep ball
that is one of the best in football.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Man, it just drops right in that bucket said, yeah,
I say it's soft, and it's literally it looks like
a punt almost when it's coming down, just with that
tight spiral, and but it looks it's it's really nice
to catch up.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Is it tough adjusting your eyes though? Where you have
to you know, to pick it up especial from shore
when you get into the stadium, especially right if it
has more altitude on it right and more arc on it.
Do you have to adjust how you're locating the ball
in the air.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Definitely a little bit.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
But I mean for the most part, he kind of
judges your speed and he can kind of put it
right there. Haven't had to stop for too many balls
or jump up and go grab something. So it's really
for the most part, been in shy.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
What has it been like gaining chemistry with him? How
has he been easy to work with and trying to
figure that stuff out?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Yeah, I mean he tells you exactly what he wants,
and then obviously he's really he's collaborative with us, even
whenever we're telling him this is how we want to
do a run, a rout or something like that. And
so I mean it's been great. Just nice knowing you
have a vet back there that he's gonna do exactly
what he needs to do and he's going to tell
you exactly what he needs out of you.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
And I know Brian Dable has even with the media,
and he doesn't say much of the media. Yeah, but
one thing he has said to the media is that, look,
we need more explosive plays on offense. Right, do you
see the formula for this offense to look finally start
getting some more explosive plays in the passing game.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think there's any question about
that obviously with the deep balls, and then I think
we can just do some more with the run after
catch too. And I think that this just goes all
together with hand in hand with the quarterback and receivers
just being able to get a catch up a ball
that you can catch and run with and also hitting
him in stride on the deep balls. That way, we
don't have to stop either.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
So hey, look, and I'm seeing a bunch of screen
passes too with the wide receivers. I'm seeing a lot
of running backs going down the field and catching the
balls down the field. I really do feel like the
offense with Russ there just has a very different feel
to it, just in terms of how they're trying to
attack the defense.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Yeah, I mean, yeah, no doubt. I mean, I think
they know he excels it throwing the deep ball, and
obviously I think you know, everybody knows that we would
all like to go deep in the less play draws
that we have the better. So yeah, we're tired of
the ten twelve play drives and one a couple just
four three play drives.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
You know, what are your personal goals you kind of
set out for yourself where you want to improve, where
you want to get better this year.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Yeah, speaking on it, I say down the field, I say,
I mean, I just feel like if I open up
the down the field, stuff underneath will be that much
more open and create that many more opportunities for run
after catching, which I feel like is kind of my
special ability.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
So well, we can't wait to see it. Oneell, thanks dude,
appreciate it, man, Thank you very much. That's the Giants
wide receivers. Great talking to them. It should be a
big year with new quarterbacks in the building, some big
time production from these guys as they try to find
chemistry with this set of quarterbacks, so all the time
we have for the Giants. Total Podcast brought to you
by Citizens Official Banking the Giants. We'll see you next time.
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