James Bradberry

New York Giants still suffering from CB2 problems

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New York Giants, Ryan Lewis

The New York Giants won their Week 9 matchup against Washington behind a dominating, five turnover performance from their defense. New York forced three interceptions as the secondary managed to contain Washington’s passing attack.

Despite this, there was still a familiar struggle within the Giants’ pass defense. The secondary cornerback position, this week manned by Isaac Yiadom, has been a consistent area of weakness for the Giants all season. The Giants have rotated the likes of Corey Ballentine, Isaac Yiadom, and Ryan Lewis in that position.

This week, Terry McLaurin was the lone bright spot on the Football Team’s offense as he totaled 7 receptions for 115 yards and 1 touchdown. James Bradberry managed McLaurin and any other receivers he lined up against, but Isaac Yiadom struggled severely.

Cornerback Isaac Yiadom allowed a perfect 158.3 passer rating against Washington on Sunday, according to Pro Football Focus. James Bradberry, on the other hand, was only targeted in coverage one time. Washington made a conscious effort to avoid Bradberry and attack the Giants’ second cornerback position.

Ryan Lewis seemed to be the answer to the Giants’ cornerback problems. But, after he was placed on injured reserve, Isaac Yiadom was put back into the starting lineup. After this disappointing performance, it will be interesting to see who the Giants roll out there in Week 10 versus Philadelphia.

Additionally, Xavier McKinney could return to the Giants’ defense sometime this month. His addition to the lineup could move Logan Ryan over to cornerback two, or even Julian Love. New York, fortunately, has solid depth at the safety positions, but the cornerback position will need to improve.

New York Giants: James Bradberry will face off in key Week 8 matchup against Mike Evans

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

The New York Giants will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight on primetime. The 1-6 Giants will be underdogs at home against the 5-2 Buccaneers who have recently emerged as Super Bowl contenders.

The Buccaneers’ offense has been nearly unstoppable in recent weeks as Tom Brady has begun playing at an MVP level. Tom “Terrific” reaps the benefits of having a slew of talented offensive weapons to share the rock with. But this week, one of his top two receivers, Chris Godwin, will be out with a finger injury. This leaves Mike Evans as the Bucs’ primary weapon on Monday night.

Mike Evans will have to face off against Giants cornerback James Bradberry, who is playing at an All-Pro level through the first seven weeks of the season. Bradberry and Evans have a history, as Bradberry formerly played in the NFC South as a member of the Carolina Panthers. This matchup could be the key to victory for the Giants in Week 8.

Mike Evans vs. James Bradberry

James Bradberry and Mike Evans have a long history playing against each other in the NFC South. Bradberry spent the first four years of his career with the Carolina Panthers before signing with the Giants this offseason. Evans and Bradberry have faced off twice per year since Bradberry entered the league in 2017.

In 2020, Bradberry and Evans will only matchup this one time. Based on their previous matchups, the Giants should feel pretty confident that Mike Evans will be contained on Monday night.

James Bradberry has held Mike Evans to mediocre or below-average performances on multiple occasions. Only a couple of times has Evans gotten the best of Bradberry. James Bradberry has never allowed Mike Evans to score a touchdown in his coverage.

This year, it is even more likely that Bradberry contains Evans based on the way James has performed throughout this season. James Bradberry is the fifth-highest graded cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Bradberry made PFF’s First-Quarter All-Pro Team four his dominant first four weeks of the season.

The Giants’ secondary has suffered from a revolving door at the second cornerback position. However, James Bradberry has held the defensive together like glue with consistently excellent play as the primary cornerback. It would be surprising to see Mike Evans break out against the Giants’ defense tonight.

New York Giants: Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense heating up ahead of primetime matchup

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New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants

The New York Giants will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. New York will play its second primetime game in a row after suffering an embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday night. Heading into this week’ss matchup, the Giants are once again staring defeat in the face on primetime.

Anything is possible, and we have seen the Giants upset Tom Brady in the greatest of fashion, but the Giants will be major underdogs in this Week 8 matchup. Tom Brady and the high-flying Buccaneers had a slow start to the season but have recently emerged as legitimate Super Bowl contenders over the last couple of weeks.

High-Flying Offense

Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ high-flying offense in 2020. After two decades of dominance with the New England Patriots, Brady moved on to do things without Belichick in Tampa Bay. So far, Brady has found far more success than the Patriots, nearly putting to rest the “system quarterback” criticism he was dealt in New England.

Tom Brady is playing at an MVP level through seven weeks of the 2020 NFL season. He might not be winning the MVP race right now, but that is not an indictment on Tom, but, rather, praise to sing for the rest of the league’s star quarterbacks.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have scored 83 points in the past two weeks. Tom Brady is coming off of an elite Week 7 performance that saw him throw for 369 yards and 4 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown with 0 interceptions. Brady is Pro Football Focus’s third-highest graded quarterback in the NFL so far, trailing only Aaron Rodgers and Rusell Wilson.

Tampa Bay’s offense has been connecting on countless deep shots downfield. According to PFF, on 20+ yard throws, Tom Brady has totaled 15 Big-Time-Throws and 0 turnover-worthy-throws. He has been near-flawless when airing the ball out deep.

The New York Giants’ defense has allowed opposing offenses to gain an average of 251.7 passing yards and 24.9 points per game. Cornerback James Bradberry has been performing at an elite level, but he will have his hands full when matching up against Mike Evans and Tom Brady.

The Giants are hosting a beastly Buccaneers offense on Monday night. Unfortunately for New York, Brady and the Bucs are out of their sluggish phase. Now, they are exploding to the forefront of the NFL in a dominant fashion. The Giants’ defense has a tough task ahead of them as they gameplan to slow down the GOAT and his talent-loaded offense.

New York Giants: James Bradberry lends encouraging words to Evan Engram

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

It hasn’t been a good last week for Evan Engram after his drop cost the New York Giants their game against the Eagles, but the tight end received some words of support from the team’s top cornerback. James Bradberry came out in support of Engram when asked about him by reporters on Tuesday, in face of the demands from fans that the team moves on from Engram before the deadline.

“As a player, you see a phenomenal talent. Physical, big body guy that can run. That’s one thing that separates him from the rest of the tight ends in the league, that he can run. He’s very fast. Just as a teammate, what you would tell him, I’ve been there before,” Bradberry said about Engram.

“I missed out on plays here and there in my career over the past four years. You just have to fight back. You have to keep your head in the game, keep that confidence within you. There were several plays throughout that Philadelphia game that we should have made on defense that we let go. The game should have never been in that position in the first place.”

Some fans won’t share Bradberry’s sentiments and believe that Engram is past the point where the Giants should bet on his potential. On the other hand, it doesn’t look like the team is going to make a move to get rid of Engram before the deadline based on reports so far. The front office, more or less, seems to be on Bradberry’s side on the matter of Engram.

But it remains to be seen whether that will be the right move or a mistake, given Engram’s performance last time and the extensive problems that have plagued his career up until this point in time.

New York Giants: James Bradberry set to face off against Terry McLaurin in key matchup

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

The New York Giants are about to face their second divisional opponent of the 2020 NFL season on Sunday. After a disappointing and heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week, New York fell to 0-5. The Giants are traveling to Washington this week to play their second divisional opponent of the season: the 1-4 Washington Football Team.

Washington’s offense has been dysfunctional this season, like the Giants. But as the Giants have a talented young receiver in Darius Slayton acting as a bright spot, Washington has their own receiver doing the same. Terry McLaurin, Washington’s third-round pick in last year’s draft, is a rising star that has ascended as the lone bright spot in Washington’s offense.

Luckily for the New York Giants, their brightest star on the defensive side of the ball will be the one tasked with guarding Terry McLaurin. Cornerback James Bradberry has been playing at an elite level for the New York Giants and will be tasked with guarding McLaurin on Sunday.

Terry McLaurin Stats and Highlights

Terry McLaurin has played in 19 career games. In those games, McLaurin has played with five quarterbacks and three head coaches. He has dealt with discontinuity and uncertainty throughout his career. Despite this, McLaurin has managed to total 87 receptions for 1,332 yards and 8 touchdowns on 5.3 yards per catch.

In 2020, McLaurin has already totaled 413 receiving yards, the ninth-most in the NFL. McLaurin has been separating from cornerbacks at a high rate in 2020. According to Pro Football Focus, Terry has recorded all 413 of his receiving yards on receptions where he has a step or more of separation. McLaurin has also been a big-play threat, recording 7 receptions of 20+ yards through five games.

Terry McLaurin has been one of the top receivers in the NFL since he entered the league last year. Luckily for the Giants, James Bradberry has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in 2020.

James Bradberry Stats and Highlights

James Bradberry is coming off of another elite performance in Week Five. Bradberry was tasked with shadowing wide receiver Amari Cooper last week. Bradberry held Cooper to one catch for 8 yards and a pass breakup, according to PFF.

Bradberry has been locking up every wide receiver he has faced off against. In single coverage, Bradberry has outperformed every cornerback in the NFL with an elite 91.4 single coverage grade (PFF). His overall coverage grade is the second-highest in the NFL at 87.3.

Bradberry also leads the NFL in pass breakups this year with 9 through five weeks. The Giants’ defense will have its hands full as they attempt to shut down Terry McLaurin. But Giants fans should feel confident heading into this matchup knowing that James Bradberry will be the one to line up against Washington’s young star receiver.

New York Giants: Just how good was James Bradberry in week 5 loss to Dallas?

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

There is plenty of bad to harp on from the New York Giants’ week five loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but one excellent performance came from cornerback James Bradberry on defense.

Given the unit allowed 37 points and ultimately provided Andy Dalton with a chance at victory, Bradberry was a stand out player and locked down his opposition for the entire game.

Before diving into his specific performance, let’s go through a few of his season stats up to this point. Through five weeks, Bradberry has 17 combined tackles, nine passes defended, and one interception. He has also forced one fumble and played a significant part in an interception earlier on in the year, in which Julian Love came away with.

Diving into James Bradberry and how great he’s been for the New York Giants:

Bradberry continues to shine on a weekly basis, earning an 85.7 overall grade this year, which ranks second among all corners, according to PFF.

His coverage grade averages out at 87.3, with his worst number coming in week one against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then, he has been elite, hitting a top of 93.1 against the Chicago Bears, in which he completely blanked star, WR Allen Robinson.

His major issue has been his tackling, posting only two games with a grade over 77. He’s had three below 51. However, you can make the argument that if he isn’t allowing receptions, he usually isn’t going to be making tackles. The sample size is likely so small that any number of missed tackles bloats his conversion rate.

Going further into his performance against Dallas, he walked away with a 77.9 overall grade and a 79.1 grade in coverage, which actually isn’t as great as one might have thought. He racked up two tackles and was targeted five times, allowing three receptions overall for 35 yards. However, against Amari Cooper, one of the best route runners in the NFL, he kept him to just one catch for 7 yards. That is an incredible feat that the Giants should be proud of, considering Janoris Jenkins allowed a three-touchdown, 190-yard performance to Mike Evans in week three of the 2019 season.

While his overall coverage grade might not have reflected his performance, that is simply due to the number of targets that went Bradberry’s way. He allowed three receptions on five targets but factoring in how little Dallas targeted him, you can begin to understand just how dominant he has been as the CB1 for the Giants.

New York Giants: James Bradberry playing at an All-Pro level, according to Pro Football Focus

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

The New York Giants are sitting at a disappointing 0-4 through the first quarter of the 2020 NFL season. The team’s offense has not scored a touchdown in the last two games. But on the other side of the ball, New York is enjoying some pretty impressive performances.

The Giants’ defense has been a pleasant surprise this season. Outside of the Giants’ disappointing Week Three loss to the San Fransisco 49ers, New York’s defense has kept them close in games. One player, in particular, has been dominating on the Giants’ defense: James Bradberry. According to Pro Football Focus, James Bradberry is currently playing at an All-Pro level through the first quarter of the 2020 NFL season.

James Bradberry Stats and Highlights

The New York Giants signed James Bradberry to a three-year $43.5 million contract this offseason. So far, he has been worth every penny of that lucrative contract.

James Bradberry earns First-Quarter All-Pro honors from Pro Football Focus for having an 83.0 overall grade through the first four weeks of the season. Bradberry has been a playmaker on the Giants’ defense, totaling a league-high 9 passes defended so far, along with 1 interception.

Opposing quarterbacks have had a tough time throwing against James Bradberry. The Giants’ cornerback has been targeted in coverage 24 times in four games, allowing only 13 completions (54.2%). These completions have amounted to 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both of those touchdowns, according to PFF, came in Week One. He has not allowed any touchdowns in the past three weeks.

He hasn’t had easy assignments for the first few weeks of this season but has seven pass breakups while allowing just 52.2% of passes thrown into his coverage to be caught. Bradberry’s numbers would be even better were it not for a couple of touchdowns he gave up against the Steelers in the first game of his season. – Pro Football Focus on James Bradberry

As the Giants’ season rolls on, James Bradberry will need to maintain this high level of play. The Giants’ cornerbacks opposite of Bradberry have struggled mightily. James Bradberry has held the defense together and will need to continue to do so if the Giants are planning on winning any games this season.

New York Giants: James Bradberry is dominating through three weeks

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

The New York Giants‘ secondary has been inconsistent through the first three weeks of the 2020 NFL season. New York has not seen its safeties play at a consistent level and has seen its second cornerback play at a consistently poor position. But if there is one bright spot to point out from the Giants’ first three games, it is starting cornerback James Bradberry.

Through three games, James Bradberry has performed as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He has been dominating for the Giants and is one of the biggest reasons that their defense has stayed afloat in these games.

James Bradberry Stats and Highlights

According to Pro Football Focus, James Bradberry is the third-highest graded cornerback in the NFL so far. His overall grade is an impressive 82.5, ranking him behind only Xavier Rhodes and Jaire Alexander.

Bradberry has also forced tight coverage on seven of his 19 targets thus far. And of those seven, not a single one was caught. That is the most targets forced in tight coverage without one being caught of any NFL cornerback. – Pro Football Focus on James Bradberry

Bradberry has been providing air-tight coverage on the outside for the Giants. Through three games, James Bradberry is leading the NFL with 9 passes defended. He has also added an interception and a forced fumble. Bradberry, who signed a three-year $43.5 million contract with the Giants this offseason, has looked worth every penny so far.

With struggling performances throughout the secondary, the Giants are fortunate to have Bradberry holding the defense together. If not for James Bradberry, the Giants’ pass defense would be one of the worst in the NFL. New York’s season may feel lost at 0-3. But standout performances by James Bradberry have kept the Giants in some of these games and do give the team hope for the future.

Giants’ James Bradberry rated NFL’s second best CB by Pro Football Focus

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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry is off to roaring start here in 2020. The former second round pick of the Carolina Panthers who the Giants sign to a three-year, $45 million contract this offseason could be headed to his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Bradberry leads the NFL with six passes defensed after two weeks and is making his presence known on the Giants’ defense. He is currently the second highest ranked corner in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

Bradberry also has one interception and a forced fumble. Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter was asked what in particular he sees in Bradberry’s game.

“Just his skill set, his ability to match up with the best receivers on the other team and actually matchup with them pretty well. He’s done a good job just coming in, accepting his role and doing well. We just need more of it. You saw he had that great play. He’s had a couple pass break ups. We just need that type of stuff to get where we want.”

New teammate Logan Ryan, who has never played on a losing season in his seven NFL seasons and knows a quality football player when he sees one. He was asked how much he knew about Bradberry before they both came to the Giants.

“No, he didn’t fly under the radar for me. I knew him in Carolina,” said Ryan. “He’s an extremely big corner, great patience, physical. This guy was the number one corner in a division where he matched up with Julio (Jones), he matched up with Mike Evans and (Chris) Godwin, and he matched up with Michael Thomas every week. That’s a tough job to play the number one corner in the NFC South, and he’s done a good job with that. I knew he was a good player. I knew he was a good player studying him, practicing against him, playing against him. He’s just a really good corner, and he’s playing like that. We need him to be that to be good on defense, and that’s what he’s doing. The name of the game at cornerback is consistency. Just doing it week in and week out, and he’s done a good job of that for two weeks. We all need to start playing like him, for him to be consistent and to be solid for us to allow me to move around and do what I do to allow our defense to be our defense. I think it’s building and the chemistry with the guys is building, but I think James has definitely done his job. We just need to translate it to wins.”

And that is coming. The Giants’ defense has been tightening up with each game. It won’t be long until the whole unit gets recognized like Bradberry has.

New York Giants: James Bradberry Stands Out With Stellar Performance Despite Loss

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

The New York Giants endured another heartbreaking loss today. The Giants fell short in their comeback attempt against the Chicago Bears, falling to 0-2 for the fourth year in a row.

Daniel Jones and the Giants’ offense surged back late in the game and had a chance to win on the final drive of the game. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. But this game could have been much worse. After a putrid first quarter, it seemed likely that the Giants would be blown out on Sunday.

One factor that held the Giants together on Sunday was their formidable defense. The Chicago Bears were held to only 17 points as the Giants forced 2 turnovers. One player, in particular, stood out on Sunday afternoon: James Bradberry.

James Bradberry Stats and Highlights

The New York Giants signed cornerback James Bradberry to a highly-lucrative contract this offseason. Bradberry inked a three-year deal worth $43.5 million. So far, Bradberry has lived up to the contract, performing as the best player on the Giants’ defense.

In Week Two, Bradberry totaled 4 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception. He was constantly getting his hands on the football, making plays, and breaking up passes. His interception on Allen Robinson was maybe the most impressive play of the game:

This was one of many impressive plays Bradberry made on the football today. But this is nothing new, rather, this is a continuation of last week. Bradberry was solid in Week One, too, forcing a fumble and deflecting 2 passes.

With 6 passes defended through two games, James Bradberry is pacing out to have one of his career’s best seasons. Continued success from Bradberry in coverage will be key for the Giants as this season continues, especially considering the poor performances from the rest of the team’s cornerbacks through two weeks.