Through three games of the 2023 regular season, New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has recorded one (coverage) sack and sports an ugly 36.6 overall grade at Pro Football Focus.
Perhaps more than his lack of production, Thibodeaux’s body language has been concerning. He’s been seen isolating from his teammates on the sideline — he claims meditating — and hanging his head on the field.
Buy Giants TicketsThe relentless motor Thibodeaux showed as a rookie appears to be gone. He’s no longer playing through the whistle or chasing plays down from behind. His tackling has also been suspect, but that’s just a small part of a larger problem.
Despite it all, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale says there’s no panic or concern with his second-year edge rusher.
“Always. Always. And he would be the first one to tell you that,” Martindale said when asked if he’s looking for more out of Thibodeaux. “And just finishing at the quarterback, using his hands better. I think that each week, each day, he and (outside linebackers coach) Drew (Wilkins) work on that. We’ll do some different things that’s going to help him, but there is three other guys rushing the quarterback when you go to a four-man rush as well and I think that helps that individual that’s rushing the quarterback on how they do their job as well because he could beat a tackle and there is a big space where the quarterback could step up.
“Whose fault is that? Well, they are going to say, ‘well Kayvon ran past the quarterback, why didn’t he retrace?’ You know there is all kinds of different things that go into it, but to me there is no panic. Is there concern? No. I just think he’s a good football player and it’s going to work out. You know, I really do.”
Martindale also noted Thibodeaux hasn’t expressed any frustration with him over his role but to the naked eye, he doesn’t seem happy about it.
“He gets turned loose as many times as we need to turn him loose,” Martindale said. “There’s guys that have more sacks than Kayvon right now and their team’s record is worse than ours. It’s three games. What’s the old country saying? Don’t throw out the baby with the water, or whatever it is. But, I think we are going to be just fine with Kayvon, alright?”
If Thibodeaux is unhappy, he’s certainly not airing that out publicly.
“There are so many different ways to make a difference when it comes to rushing the passer,” Thibodeaux told the New York Post. “I’m just about, ‘What am I doing to help the team win,’ and ‘Are you getting the wins [as a team]?’ I’m more focused on wins and getting better than anything individual.”
The problem for Kayvon and the Giants is that in addition to his lack of production, the team isn’t exactly winning. They are 1-2 headed into another brutal three-game stretch where they need their top pass rusher to make a significant impact.
