Giants hoping Nuñez-Roches can help bolster run defense

Updated Aug. 1, 2023 7:36 p.m. ET

Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Rakeem Nuñez-Roches had a miserable start to his first training camp with the New York Giants.

Hours after reporting to his new team, the big defensive tackle was involved in a two-car accident outside the team's headquarters in the New Jersey Meadowlands on July 25. The cars were totaled, he spent hours being checked out in a hospital and ended up missing the first three days of practice.

What really disappointed the guy everyone refers to as “Nacho” was not being able to get home in time to help his wife put the children to bed.

“I was really more mad about that than the accident all together,” he said Tuesday, hours before the Giants held an evening workout in which they put on pads for the first time since camp opened.

Watching Nuñez-Roches on the field, one can't help but smile. He is talking to everyone. He's smiling and having fun.

“It’s just simple,” said the 30-year-old who signed with the Giants as a free agent in the offseason. “I am very thankful, I’m so appreciative of the things that football was able to bless me and my family (with). Anytime I can go out there and just showcase my ability and just say thank you for everything, that’s what I do. I come to life out there.”

The Giants are hoping having the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer in the middle with Dexter Lawrence and adding inside linebacker Bobby Okereke will slow down opposing running games. New York was among the worst run defenses in the NFL in 2022, and it gave up 268 yards on the ground in a 38-7 loss to the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.

“It was great to see him back,” defensive end Leonard Williams said of Nuñez-Roches. “Glad nothing happened to him during that accident. But also, he’s just a great guy to bring into this building and to bring it to the defense. He has great energy, and so far, he’s been playing the run really well. I think he’s going to be a great addition on the D-line.”

Nuñez-Roches, who also played for the Chiefs and Bucs, said the first thing the defense has to do is get a feel for one another.

“There are other things that we have to fine tune,” he said. “Just understanding where your neighbors are at. Not forming the same ground, just being disciplined. Not peaking too soon, just staying there and trusting that your guy will float to the ball, and you don’t have to do anybody else’s job.”

Nuñez-Roches recalled that when the Bucs won Super Bowl 55 they held to Chiefs to 107 yards rushing.

The nine-year veteran also noted that defenses also succeed with depth, which is why he constantly tells younger players to always compete.

"I’ve always told the young guys, even though the big-money guys are up there, your job is just as big," he said. “If it’s time for them to get a breather, it’s time for them to get a break, it doesn’t need to be a fall off. That’s where you earn your name at. When you come out there and be just as destructive or just make the same plays, that’s where you make your name at and that’s what we need.”

NOTE: The Giants put center J.C. Hassenauer on injured reserve and signed center Sean Harlow. ... The Giants conducted their second evening practice of camp and it was uneventful. ... Free agent receiver Jeff Smith walked off early with some type of a leg issue. Center John-Michael Schmitz, the second-round draft pick, held his own in blocking drills going against Dexter Lawrence. ...Veteran LB Jihad Ward continued to miss practice. ... WR Sterling Shepard seemingly is going to alternate work days coming off an ACL injury.

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