at giants.com.
As much as Quinn has been called out on BBI, his ST teams were among the top in the league last year.
In response to Schmelk's question about the key STs players returning from 2015, Quinn temporally listed them in this order:
Herzlich
Casillas
JT Thomas
Darkwa
Whitlock
Dwayne Harris.
As for Dwayne Harris being listed last, consider what Quinn said in response to Schmelk's direct question about "Harris's value as both a return guy and coverage guy on STs".
Quinn replied, paraphrasing, 'we didn't get to use [Harris] on coverage because of his role on offense. Hopefully with Cruz and some new guys on offense we get him back for that. As good as he is at returns, his greatest strength is coverage. He's one of the best in the league at that, that's his real strength.'
Maybe I am reading into it, but to me that helps explain why Geremy Davis received so many 1st team reps during the Spring practices. It may be a team goal to promote Davis over Harris on the WR depth chart not because of any lack of performance by Harris at WR, but rather because Harris is so outstanding at STs coverage.
Interestingly also in response to a direct question by Schmelk, Quinn praised Wing for his directional punting, mentioning also that they like Wing's effort this off season and that being Australian in origin, "the ball cones off his foot in a lot of different ways naturally. We want to do more with him that way."
So Wing might look average or worse by gross yards, but expect him to even improve in net yards punting as they do more things with him to limit returns.
Lastly, a lot of us have hoped to see Herzlich cut from the team because his LB play has been mediocre at best. For that to happen, we better pray Goodson or Kelvin Sheppard can effectively replace him on STs. It helps explain why Pat Traina's early roster prediction includes Herzlich. Admittedly even Quinn won't know much about replacing Herzlich until the pads come on for STs practices. Quinn said "some guys look good in shorts but not in pads, and conversely some guys who look nothing special in shorts excel once the pads come on..." Shades of Bryan Kehl vs Jon Goff!
The LB battle will be crucial for STs, as will some other positions on the 53 Quinn didn't even address I imagine. Bennet Jackson and Nat Berhe are two to factor in to your roster prognoses.
Interesting about Harris...it alludes to some of the "depth" conversations being had in the McAdoo-Millennials thread....
Depth is a big key that seems barely touched here on BBI -
Yeah that's what he said I believe.
But the Giants also offered him a nice boatload of dough for a "special teamer", much to the angst of BBI, some beat writers, and most of the NFL talking heads.
I don't think Quinn gives a rat's ass what he was paid or promised. He wants Harris on every ST he's got except maybe field goals and PATs.