Commanders WR Terry McLaurin offers candid observation on Giants CB Deonte Banks

Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who scored two touchdowns in the team’s 27-22 win over the New York Giants over the weekend, made a pretty telling observation about New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed the receiver to catch the ball. two of three targets for a 19-yard pass.two receptions go for touchdowns.

In his film study of Banks, McLaurin opined that the sophomore quarterback “isn’t very aggressive in the red zone,” a troubling statement considering Banks has now allowed six touchdowns in nine games played, four of which came in man coverage, which leads all full backs in the league.

McLaurin described his first touchdown reception in great detail and how events unfolded, sharing that his film study of Banks’ tendencies provided clues on how to win a potential matchup.

“I knew Banks likes to play really slow in the red zone. He likes to, no pun intended, internally bank, meaning he uses internal leverage. I knew he was a little higher on that route, so I watched the Cleveland game when (wide receiver) Amari Cooper rocked him up a little bit. It was more of a true dodge and mine was more of a one-step dodge, but the same principles apply.” McLaurin said.

“For some reason, he’s not very aggressive in the red zone, and so I knew that if I came out a little urgent, he would probably try to grab the ball quickly and that could lead to a really amazing play.

“So I started out real slow—I was telling Jay (guard Jayden Daniels), ‘I’m going to play it slow, whether it’s a fade or a putt, I’m going to slow his game down and just have him kind of relax at the snap. Then a sudden hit from the outside club won the inside, and like I said, he threw the ball low and far and I was the only one who had a chance to catch it.”

Banks had a rough second season with the Giants. His efforts were questioned to the point that he was benched for the entire half of the team’s Monday night loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Giants passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson spoke candidly about Banks’ season and why he takes fickle success so personally.

“The thing is, he played well in spurts, but he has to understand, and I know there are 64 plays in the game,” Henderson said last Friday.

“Let’s say there are 58 of them where you do a great job, no one notices, but there are another six or seven where you are now judged on this alone, those plays where I have the ball and I have the opportunity to make a play. I want to see him in such moments, to be brighter, to be more. That’s why we chose it.

“I know he’s got it in him and I want him to do it consistently and at a high level all the time, and he’s got it and it’s my job to get that out of him.”

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