Prince Amukamara made his much-delayed NFL debut a year ago last month and has played just more than a season’s worth of pro football. And while the Giants cornerback was victimized by New Orleans in their 2011 meeting, a healthier, smarter and far better version of Amukamara will welcome the Saints to MetLife Stadium tomorrow.
“He’s coming along,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “He’s getting there. He’s focused. He’s working on it. You saw him the other day cover the deep ball the first play of the game. He’s very much into it, didn’t get fooled by that. They came right at him — he defended it well. He’s tackled well — he’s been a pretty steady guy.’’
Steady-if-unspectacular represents a marked improvement for Amukamara, whose rookie season last year was derailed by a foot injury. He didn’t debut until Nov. 20, and was torched by Drew Brees the next week during a four-touchdown day.
According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks throwing Amukamara’s way last year had a red-hot 122.8 rating, the 10th-highest against any corner who had played at least 100 snaps. Despite needing an injection in his foot during the offseason, the quarterback rating against Amukamara is down to just 65.7, the lowest of any corner in the NFC East and a tangible sign of his improvement.
“For sure,” Amukamara said. “I am starting to feel more comfortable and [the game] is starting to slow down a bit … the more reps I get. It’s just different concepts and knowing what the offense is doing.
“In college it was more spread in the [Big 12]. They were more slinging it. In the NFL it’s more of a pro-style offense, so it’s recognizing different routes.
“Back at Nebraska, I played more just cover-one, more single-high. Now I have to read the zone and make my plays within that scheme.’’
The Redskins tested him deep on the very first play last week, and he was ready. The Saints will find a more seasoned player than they saw last year.
“I was very leery, saying, ‘I want more out of Prince, I want him to do this, I want him to do that,’ ’’ said defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. “Then when I went back and looked at him over the bye week, Prince has done some really good things. Prince has only given up one big play.
“HAlthough he needs to be better technique-wise, he’s really progressed and done some nice things. Can he be better and more dominant? I think he can, and he wants to be. He’s gaining experience. I’m just letting him grow, mature and learn even more. I think Prince is going to be a pretty good player for us.’’
Corey Webster, Amukamara’s counterpart on the left side, said Amukamara has rebounded well despite missing time in the preseason.
“I think he got off to a bad start … not being able to be out there participating,’’ Webster said. “But since he’s had time under his belt, he’s getting more comfortable every week with the scheme we’re trying to run, being able to go out and compete at a high level. He’s getting better every week.’’