Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks runs against Kayvon...

Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks runs against Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants during the first half at Lumen Field on October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Credit: Getty Images/Lindsey Wasson

Kayvon Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft, has only one sack so far — even if it was a game-clincher against the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson in mid-October.

But Wink Martindale is not concerned with Thibodeaux’s progress or production. On the contrary.

On Thursday, the Giants defensive coordinator praised the rookie for things the rest of us might not notice.

“When you look at the defense statistically in areas where there are a lot of sacks, he’s doing the selfless work,” Martindale said.

Thibodeaux embraced that notion when asked about it after practice, albeit with a caveat. He said he enjoys making plays that set up teammates for success, as long as said teammates actually complete the play.

“Sometimes you do things and they almost make the play, but when they do make it, it’s always fun to rejoice with your teammate,” Thibodeaux said.

As a lifelong defensive lineman – and a big man in basketball – Thibodeaux said he is comfortable with dirty work that sets up sexier outcomes.

“I never was flashy; I never looked good doing it,” he said. “It was just knowing that the reward is going to come at the end of the season.”

This week, Thibodeaux will get a closeup look at the pass rusher taken three spots ahead of him in the draft – the Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson, who has 5.5 sacks. 

Thibodeaux said that would not be an added source of motivation for him.

Why? “Because I don’t think it was the team’s choice to pass on me,” he said. “It was already written. This is where I was supposed to be, and God had this in store.”

Martindale said he is thankful to have Thibodeaux in the fold, sacks or no sacks.

“I know everybody wants to say, ‘sacks, sacks, sacks’ to him after games,” Martindale said, “but if there’s 1,000 plays run and we’re happy with him in 950 of them, it’s better than the guy that has 12 sacks, plays 600 plays and can’t play the run, can’t do this, can’t do that.

“I just think the kid is playing great. It’s just like takeaways or anything else; the sacks will come. The other thing is to look at the holding calls he’s drawn. You look at the whole picture. He drops well in coverage.

“I can’t say nothing but positives about how he’s playing. How he’s chasing after the football like a veteran, studying like a veteran, leading like a veteran. So, I’m really glad he’s a Giant.”

Martindale, 59, called Thibodeaux, 21, “an old soul,” in terms of his approach to the job and his taste in music.

Thursday is “old school” day for music selection before the start of the defensive meetings.

“It’s my favorite day, and he knows all those songs, the bands, and everything else,” Martindale said.

Thibodeaux said it is a way for him to connect with earlier generations of his family. He also said being from Southern California connects him to multiple musical cultures.

So, to review: Thibodeaux is not putting up big numbers halfway through his rookie season, but along with this coordinator, he is not sweating it.

“What are we nine, 10 weeks in, and through the totality of 10 games I haven’t received any bad [feedback],” Thibodeaux said. “There are always plays you can clean up, always things you can grow from, but I don’t think I’ve had a bad game,” he said.

“I’ve always been able to, even if it’s a bad play, fight back and kind of make up for it on the back end or just continue to keep getting better.”

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