Giants cornerback Trevin Wade makes most of opportunity with interception, two big tackles
Trevin Wade of the Giants takes the ball away from Patriots receiver Aaron Dotson during NFL Pre-Season action Patriots Vs. Giants at Met Life Stadium East Rutherford, NJ Thursday September 1, 2016 Credit: George McNish
It almost felt as if Trevin Wade’s preseason ended with the arrival of Leon Hall. Once the Giants added the veteran free agent to solidify their slot corner position, Wade essentially was marginalized. He no longer played inside, which is his strength and where he was competing for a starting job early in camp. And he got limited work on the outside, where players such as rookie Eli Apple and newcomer Janoris Jenkins needed reps.
On Thursday night, though, with most of the starters sidelined and Hall recovering from a concussion, Wade started at cornerback opposite Apple.
“Wherever Coach wants to put me,” he said, “that’s what I’m going to do and try to make the best of it.”
He certainly did in this case. Wade intercepted a pass and made two nice tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage to remind everyone — fans, coaches, teammates — that he’s still around and can contribute this season.
“It was really good to show everybody that I can play in this league and on this team,” he said. “That’s what I tried to do today is just go out there and play.”
Wade tried not to be too wide-eyed about his interception, which came off Tom Brady. “I played against him last year” as a member of the 2015 Giants defense, Wade was quick to remind everyone. And he said that when the Giants found out Brady would be playing, it changed little for him.
“I didn’t feel anything,” he said. “I just went out there and played.”
Still, Wade kept the ball from the interception and walked out of the locker room with it tucked under his arm.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
