SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kayvon Thibodeaux responded with a question of his own, when asked why he did not have a single tackle in the wild 31-28 comeback victory over the Cardinals.
“Did you guys watch the game?’’ Thibodeaux said.
The second-year outside linebacker then went into a detailed explanation why, in 61 of the 65 snaps he played on defense, he registered no stats, other than one quarterback hit.
It was all about the scheme, Thibodeaux said.
With Azeez Ojulari injured and out (again), Thibodeaux was asked to play primarily on the back side of the defense, where his main responsibility is to set the edge against the run and force the ball back inside, where his teammates, in theory, should be in position to make the tackle.
As far as not having any sacks, Thibodeaux again put on his analysts cap.
The Cardinals did not need to drop back and throw the ball much once they built a big lead, he said.
The Giants did not do a good enough job stopping the run, and the Cardinals, playing with a lead, did not put Josh Dobbs in many high-risk situations.
Thibodeaux is asked to drop in coverage more frequently than many pass rushers.
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Through two games, he has had no real impact, and that is not what is supposed to happen with the No. 5-overall pick in the 2022 draft.
“I mean, there are a lot of social media GMs,’’ Thibodeaux said. “There are a lot of people who watch the game and want to coach, and they want to create narratives. But as long as I stick to the game plan, and my coaches and my team are happy with what I’m able to do — whether it be drop back, whether it be hold the edge, whatever it may be — I’m just happy to contribute.’’
The way Daniel Jones brought the Giants back in the second half in Arizona with his arm and legs — he ran for 58 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown sprint — caught the attention of the 49ers.
“Huge challenge,’’ 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It starts with his legs — anytime you have that speed and you can run the ball like he does. They’re willing to run him. He’s willing to run. He’s physical when he runs. He’s got the skill set to run away from people. So anytime you have a quarterback like that, the challenge that does schematically, unlocking your defense and making you have to play a certain way is always a pain.
“And then he’s got the ability to play in the pocket and beat you that way, too. So he’s getting better each year. We’ve all really loved him coming out [in the 2019 draft], and I think one of the main reasons he took them to the playoffs last year. He played really unbelievable there in that second half on Sunday.”
Ojulari (hamstring) will miss his second consecutive game. Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) and inside linebacker Micah McFadden (neck) are listed as questionable.
The Giants are 3-7 in Thursday night games since 2012, 2-6 on the road.
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