Giants Country

Wink Martindale Thrilled to Have Deonte Banks

Martindale explains why he loves the rookie cornerback's skill set.

Patricia Traina

Wink Martindale Thrilled to Have Deonte Banks
Wink Martindale Thrilled to Have Deonte Banks /
In this story:

If you're looking for a gift idea for New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, don't bother getting the 60-year-old veteran coach a lottery scratch-off ticket.

That's because, as far as Martinadel is concerned, he's already received his winning lottery scratch-off in the form of former Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, the team's first-round draft pick this year.

"I was excited that we got him," Martindale said Thursday during the Giants' coordinators' media sessions shortly before their OTA No. 9 was canceled due to poor air quality in the area. "It was like winning a scratch-off ticket."

Martindale pointed to Banks' being instinctive on the field as one of the many characteristics he loves about the young man. "What’s Ted Lasso say? He lives life like a goldfish," Martindale quipped.

"He’s got a short memory when things don't go right. He’s tough-minded, he’s physical, he can tackle, and he can run. So, we're excited about it. He’s getting into the groove. There’re still some rookie mistakes, which you expect that, especially this early, but we're really excited."

 More from Giants Country

Not only will Banks help with coverage, but Martindale believes he'll also be able to help the pass rush in its objective to get the quarterback off his mark a lot quicker.

"Yeah, it does," Martindale said. "With the additions we have to the D-line and with (linebacker) Bobby (Okereke), inside linebacker, that’s all going to help."

Given Sauce Gardner's success last season as a rookie with the Jets, expectations have no doubt soared for rookie cornerbacks across the league. But Martindale said he's trying to temper expectations by not expecting perfection from the rookie right out of the chute.

"The expectation is that he plays football," Martindale said. "He’s a smart kid that is grounded, and he doesn't make it bigger than what it is. I’m sure that they’re going to catch an eight-yard out on him, and everybody’s going to be up in arms, but that happens to every corner. We’ll be okay. I think the expectation is to go in there and play and play well."

 

Published
Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

Home/Big Blue+