Tight end Martellus Bennett had his most prolific pass-catching day with the Giants with five receptions for 79 yards in Sunday’s 27-23 victory over the Redskins. He was targeted seven times by Eli Manning and a vital part of the attack.
Yet Bennett didn’t think he played all that well.
“I screwed him on a couple of plays,’’ Bennett said, referring to Manning. “I think I played pretty bad. I think the sky’s the limit for us in our relationship, but we got a lot to improve on, me personally.’’
Manning said on his first interception he was looking for Bennett, and Bennett made the proper adjustment but it was just a bad throw. Still, Bennett expected more from himself.
“That’s the thing about this game, a lot of people just look at stats,’’ Bennett said. “I thought I played better against the 49ers than I did this past week, so my thing is getting better and improving from week to week.’’
When told of Bennett’s self-critique, coach Tom Coughlin said: “I would say it’s good of him to be hard on himself. I know he can be a better blocker. I think there’s some things in the pass game that he could’ve done better.’’
* Hakeem Nicks was targeted 10 times and came away with five receptions for 53 yards, still dealing with the after-effects of right foot and left knee issues.
“I think he gets a little bit better each week,’’ Coughlin said. “I think he’s mentally better, but I don’t know that he’s always physically able to do the things he really wants to do or we want him to do. He seemed to come out of it OK.’’
* Manning was hit hard on his final touchdown toss to Victor Cruz and, flat on his back, did not see the catch, the run or the celebration. He finally saw it late Sunday night on TV highlights. … TE Travis Beckum remains on the PUP list and Coughlin said a decision will probably be made this week whether to get Beckum going in practice or else put him on season-ending injured reserve. Beckum tore an ACL in the Super Bowl and will likely miss the entire season.
* Rookie WR Rueben Randle has the assignment as the up-man on kickoff returns to tell fellow rookie David Wilson to stay in the end zone for a touchback or else take it out on a return.
One time vs. the Redskins, Randle gave Wilson the stop sign and Wilson responded by jumping in frustration before taking a knee.
“He made pretty good choices, I thought,’’ Coughlin said. “David does not want to be held in there at all, but in some circumstances, it is the smart move.’’