The New York Giants parted ways with safeties Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers and cornerback James Bradberry this offseason, leaving Adoree’ Jackson as the lone veteran of the secondary.
That’s a new and unique role for the 26-year-old Jackson, but he’s embraced the change. His focus is on mastering Wink Martindale’s defense and leading by example.
“For me, just trying to learn and understand multiple positions, not just my own, but to know where my help is defensively, whether it’s zone or somebody may be driving our man — just understand what the weakness is and trying to make sure that I’m on top of that and then working from there,” Jackson told reporters on Thursday.
“Just lead by example and . . . understand that’s the position I’m in and taking full responsibility and accepting the role that’s given to me. So I think that’s my mindset. Obviously if you’re given a role, you have to believe that you can do it and do it at the highest ability, in that aspect, just taking it a day at a time at practice and in the classroom or in the meeting room, whatever it may be, just trying to get those reps mentally and physically, so I can go out there and be prepared and do it at a high level.”
Although Jackson is taking the bull by the horns as it relates to his new role, he admits it stung to see Bradberry get released.
“It hurts. That’s a guy that when I came in, we bounced ideas off each other, different techniques, how he plays,” Jackson said.
“But at the end of the day, I gained a brother in the process of knowing him. At the end of the day, it’s like your brother going off to college. He’s my brother, he goes somewhere else but at the same time still being in touch with him and happy for him at the end of the day. As soon as he signed, I was happy for him. I told him we would have the jersey swap since we play them twice a year.”
The jersey swap won’t make Bradberry playing for the Philadelphia Eagles any less sour, however.
“That sucks, you know what I’m saying. It’s like going to your rival, like me and Darnay, USC and UCLA. But at the end of the day, still family and still wish him the best and wish him well regardless of everything that’s going on,” Jackson added.
In addition to taking his role at the head of the DB table, Jackson is also stepping up away from the field. He purchased the State Championship rings for the Serra football team — of which he’s an alum.
2021 State Champs!! Thank you @AdoreeKnows for the rings. pic.twitter.com/o9svEBnKa4
— Serra Football (@Serra__Football) May 26, 2022
That’s true leadership, both on and off the field. And if Jackson stays the course, that will mean nothing but good things for the Giants in 2022 and beyond.
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