As the Giants sank and the Tennessee Titans soared last season, Adoree ‘Jackson didn’t spend much time on assumptions or dreams of chasing a Super Bowl ring.
Sunday marks a fresh start for all NFL teams as well as Jackson’s first game once morest the Titans since they surprisingly cut him in March 2021 and he landed with the Giants. Will he carry any grudges into the game, or is it just more wasted energy?
“Not at all,” Jackson said. “It was the organization that drafted me, so I’m still thankful and thankful for the opportunity they gave me. It just didn’t go the way they wanted it to, and I wanted it to. Such is life. God gives you a second chance to open another door when it closes.
As second chances arose, Jackson had a good one with the Giants.
In his second season of a three-year, $39 million contract, the former first-round pick is an undisputed cornerback for the first time in his six-year career. He was the No. 15 ranked cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus when he played for the four-win Giants last season, but this training camp has raised expectations to replace released James Bradberry at the top of the depth chart.
“I feel like I had the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Jackson said. “It made me feel like a kid playing once more, running around with guys – just doing what I love to do. I think it has more to do with the fact that I’ve been through what I’ve been through and overcome some things and just learned regarding myself over the past two years in the life. That’s what I recognize. »
The Titans saved $10.2 million from their 2021 salary cap by releasing Jackson, who had just suffered a knee injury and had just two interceptions in his first 46 career games. They drafted first-round cornerback Caleb Farley and went on to win the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs – only to be upset by the Bengals in their opener.
Instead of treating Giants-Titans as a revenge game, Jackson is excited to catch up with former teammates Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker and Derrick Henry. He joked regarding a jersey swap or two following the final whistle.
“I’m not going to lie: I was shocked when they lost to the Bengals,” Jackson said. “I’ve been with these guys. I always want to cheer on the guys I know. Never hold a grudge at all. They’re not in the NFC, they’re in the AFC, so they can go ahead and do their thing if they want.
Jackson is certainly doing his thing. He looks like a rejuvenated ballhawk — closer to the version of himself when he had six interceptions and nine touchdowns on USC’s offensive, defensive and special teams — playing in new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s system.
“He’s been reliable,” said head coach Brian Daboll. “He made a lot of plays on the ball. He knows our defense. He is a good communicator. Corners, you’re on an island most of the time, and I think his teammates really respect that.
Man-to-man press coverage tends to star turns or expose weaknesses — and the preseason suggested opposing quarterbacks are looking at the Giants’ inexperienced secondary and deciding there are options easier than Jackson to challenge.
“It puts you in a position to make plays, and it’s up to you whether you’re going to make them or not,” Jackson said. “It gives you an opportunity, and it’s regarding exploiting them.”
