Tyler Nubin, Jevon Holland look forward to working together in Giants' defensive backfield
Giants safeties Jevon Holland, left, and Tyler Nubin during training camp on Friday. Credit: Ed Murray
Tyler Nubin studied several NFL players as a template while developing into an All-American safety at Minnesota. One of them was Jevon Holland.
Nubin saw a player with a similar build but great in both coverage and stopping the run. Naturally, he was thrilled when the Giants signed Holland this offseason as a free agent.
“It’s cool, man. It’s real cool,” Nubin said earlier this week. “I was studying him a lot in college because I admire his game. I think we have a lot of similar traits. We’re both bigger guys. We can both come up and tackle. We can both cover . . . do a lot of versatile things.”
It’s not exactly “Idols Become Rivals,” to borrow from a song by rapper Rick Ross, but more like “Models Become Partners.” That’s the word Holland used to describe Nubin on Friday. A partner dynamic, not a big brother-little brother one.
It’s what the Giants are banking on with their top two safeties to improve a secondary that struggled often last year. Holland’s ability to communicate well quickly endeared him to Giants teammates during OTAs, and it’s continued in training camp.
During practice Friday, the five-year veteran knelt next to Nubin to discuss what they saw during 7-on-7 drills. The two kept talking after their second 7-on-7 series, with Holland doing most of the chatting.
Holland wasn’t surprised to find Nubin is a great talker on the field as well. It’s added more synergy to their relationship.
“It’s great. Tyler’s a great communicator,” Holland said. “He’s a great player. He’s fiery. He’s got all the attitude, all the spunk. So I love playing next to Tyler.”
The Giants hope Holland can be not only a playmaker but also a mentor to Nubin after his strong rookie season. Nubin had 98 tackles in 13 games, all starts, before a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery.
Coach Brian Daboll called himself a “big Nubin fan” this week, praising the second-year man for being a pro who’s very smart with tremendous leadership skills. It made sense to add a similar-minded player who can enhance his development.
Nubin feels the same and wants to focus on getting better and leading by example in his second season. Who better to take notes from than Holland, a team captain in three of his four seasons with the Dolphins.
The partnership is taking hold. For Nubin, it’s been great to go from studying Holland from afar to learning directly so both can sharpen each other.
“I learn from Von every day. Something new every day,” Nubin said. “He’s got a lot of knowledge of the game just because he’s played so much. He’s seen so much, so I just try to soak in as much as I can.”
Burns, Robinson shaken up
Brian Burns and Wan’Dale Robinson exited practice early after colliding during a play. Burns flew behind tight end Greg Dulcich to push him to the ground after a catch and ran into Robinson, who didn’t see him coming after raising his hands to a nearby official.
Both were on the turf for a while, with Burns laid flat on his back and Robinson mostly on one knee. Both walked to the training room on their own power, accompanied by medical staff.
With the players off Saturday, Sunday is the earliest time to expect an update.
“I saw it just like y’all saw it,” Holland said. “You just run into somebody. You don’t see somebody, they T-bone you in the car.”
Hyatt held out of practice
Jalin Hyatt was held out of Friday’s practice because of cramps and tightness in his lower body, Daboll said. Hyatt, who had a left leg issue, was seen getting attention during practice Thursday. He had an apparent hamstring injury during mandatory minicamp in June.
Blue notes
Former offensive lineman Justin Pugh announced his retirement Friday. Pugh spent six of his 11 seasons with the Giants after being drafted in the first round in 2013 . . . Evan Neal worked at both right and left guard with the second unit Friday and worked with the first unit at right guard during their last team drills . . . The first unit had at least three high snaps with John Michael Schmitz at center . . . Friday’s best play came from Russell Wilson, who threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Malik Nabers.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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