New York Giants large receiver Jalin Hyattwarm s up earlier than a recreation towards the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., on Thursday.
Credit score: AP
There have been loads of unhealthy numbers from the visiting Giants’ 30-12 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night time. However a zero stood out on a tough night time for the offense.
Zero catches for receiver Jalin Hyatt and, extra obtrusive, zero targets. An offense missing explosiveness with Saquon Barkley sidelined with a excessive ankle sprain couldn’t discover a approach to incorporate the speedy rookie.
It’s much more puzzling after Hyatt’s position in final week’s comeback win over the Cardinals. His 58-yard catch — the primary reception of his profession — earned reward as a spark in rallying the Giants from a 20-0 deficit to a 31-28 victory.
So why the dearth of consideration?
“I don’t suppose we had many snaps on offense usually. I feel we had 45 or 46,” coach Brian Daboll mentioned Friday. “So there’s a plan for Jalin and for all the fellows based mostly on the personnel that we select to make use of on a given play. That could possibly be extra, that could possibly be about the identical. We’ll carry on giving him reps and hopefully we’ve got greater than 45 performs in a recreation.”
The Giants, actually, ran 46 performs and managed solely 150 yards. Solely 5 of these performs went for 10 yards or extra. In distinction, 49ers All-Professional receiver Deebo Samuel had 5 such performs himself, together with a 27-yard landing reception within the fourth quarter.
As Samuel and operating again Christian McCaffrey ran free all night time, the Giants (1-2) regarded gradual by comparability. It may’ve opened the door to seek out Hyatt, particularly as soon as they lower San Francisco’s result in 17-12 within the third quarter.
As a substitute, Hyatt, who gained the Biletnikoff Award as faculty soccer’s prime receiver final 12 months when he performed for Tennessee, performed 16 snaps and was not focused. He had two catches final week, together with a 31-yard reception, and was held with no catch (one goal) within the opener.
“We put him in place to try to goal him, and we’ll proceed to do this,” Daboll mentioned. “He’ll proceed to work. We rolled all our guys in there final night time.”
Hyatt’s zero targets weren’t the one downside. For the third consecutive recreation, the Giants didn’t rating a landing within the first half. Tight finish Darren Waller had solely three catches as Daniel Jones threw excessive on two of Waller’s seven targets.
Jones was sacked solely twice, however the 49ers (3-0) saved the Giants in verify for many of the night time, holding them to 121 passing yards and 29 dashing.
At this level, making an attempt any possibility may increase an offense that wants a jolt. The Giants will host the Seahawks on Oct. 2 on Monday Night time Soccer, and Barkley’s standing stays unsure.
Even when Barkley returns, it could be a plus if the Giants can incorporate Hyatt extra.
“I feel we’re at all times making an attempt to make performs and get the ball to these guys, so have to have a look at the place there may have been alternatives to do this and do a greater job with that,” Jones mentioned. “He’s a dynamic participant and we didn’t have sufficient performs, interval.”
Earlier this month, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka praised Hyatt’s enchancment from coaching camp, citing his rising confidence and understanding of his position. Because of this, his playmaking began exhibiting up extra in apply.
The query now could be, when will it present up extra in video games? The Giants have 10 days to retool and regroup.
For Daboll, the offense is one in every of a number of points he sees. Focusing on Hyatt, nevertheless, could possibly be a possible resolution.
“I’d simply say we’d like extra from all people,” Daboll mentioned. “Teaching, taking part in, all people.”