Giants brass pleased to have tough leadership corps

Earlier this week, Giants coach Brian Daboll praised a roster that finally fit his personality. Smart, tough players that love football.

For general manager Joe Schoen, there’s another word he’d add. Leaders. With a young team last year, it was a priority to add more mature voices that could come in, take charge but also nurture the young talent.

After trimming the roster to 53 players Tuesday, that’s what Schoen believes the Giants have more of now. Players who can take command and guide to a better outlook with the regular season starting in just over a week.

“We feel good about the leadership that we have now,” Schoen said Wednesday. “Some of the pieces that we’ve added this offseason and some previous pieces that were here before. Talent-wise, again, we’ll see. We’ve got to go and do it like Dabs said.”

There were holes in that department this time a year ago. Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney left in free agency. The secondary relied on rookies Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips to fill in gaps while also learning the NFL.

At quarterback, there was no consistent voice with four different players taking snaps and Daniel Jones benched and released. That’s different now.

Schoen signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency to bolster the quarterback room with two men who have played at least 10 seasons. The secondary added safety Jevon Holland, a former captain with the Dolphins, and cornerback Paulson Adebo to a young group.

Linebacker Brian Burns has become more vocal in his second season as he’s grown more comfortable in the locker room. Add in the experience of veterans such as Darius Slayton, Bobby Okereke and Dexter Lawrence, and Schoen thinks it’s a better environment.

“Some of the veterans that we have, some of our own that have grown into leaders, I would say that’s one of the bigger differences that I’ve felt throughout this offseason,” Schoen said. “But it takes time to do that because sometimes, good players that are leaders cost a lot of money and maybe you don’t have the financial resources.

“And then you’re a young team and trying to surround them with people that can teach them how to lead but maybe they’re not starting, so it’s hard for them to learn now but they’ve got leadership.”

Wilson has been front and center with it since his arrival. He’s texted his receivers and other teammates during the spring and summer and Slayton noted everyone gets unique messages.

There’s also dinners and throwing sessions where Wilson’s shared insight from his past 13 seasons. For him, leading is a daily goal where every action is intentional to achieve a better purpose.

“It’s a daily thought, how you go about your business, how you think about it, how you communicate it,” Wilson said. “I think you’re constantly putting your stamp on it. You’re constantly putting the growth of it all together as one. I’m excited to be able to lead this football team and do it with a bunch of great other guys.”

It’s an attitude Schoen welcomed after making it a priority this offseason. But starting Sept. 7 against the Commanders, he knows the Giants have to show that maturity, not just talk it.

“We like the roster, we like the chemistry, we like the leadership, now we got to go out and do it on Sundays,” Schoen said.

n  Giants claim pair of DBs

The Giants claimed safety Beau Brade and cornerback Rico Payton off waivers Wednesday from the Ravens and Saints, respectively.

Schoen touted both for their ability to do special teams and add secondary depth. Brade, a former Maryland teammate of Deonte Banks, was someone the front office got familiar with last year during the draft process.

To make room for both additions, the team waived receiver Gunner Olszewski and rookie cornerback Korie Black. Both are expected to return as soon as Thursday on the practice squad with Olszewski to assume kick return duties.

n  Blue notes

Thirteen players previously cut Tuesday were added to the practice squad Wednesday, including WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette and DT Elijah Chatman . . . TE Theo Johnson wasn’t seen during open portions of practice and hasn’t been in drills since the Giants’ second preseason game.