For Jordon Riley, almost all of this is new.
Even the sport of football is still relatively new to a player who, through his sophomore year of high school, concentrated on playing basketball.
Not anymore.
These days, the 6-5, 315-pound Riley is in meetings rooms with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence and taking direction from Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and the rest of the coaching staff.
What has he learned from Martindale?
In part, that whether he is lined up over the center or over the guard, his mission is the same.
“Be violent and just dominate the man in front of you,” Riley said. “That’s what his emphasis was for me in this camp.”
From defensive line coach Andre Patterson, Riley has gained additional wisdom.
Riley said Patterson always preaches “that technique is what’s going to keep you in the game. He’s always emphasizing technique. Whether you’re tired or if the game [speeds up], you always rely on your coaching and technique.”
Late in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Panthers on Friday night, Riley relied on his technique and his brawn in making a fourth-down stop on a run play.
“I had needed that one,” Riley said with a smile. “I had a few stops where my technique wasn’t as great. I knew we needed a stop, so I put emphasis on that one play. I focused on my man. I was under the center, so I was just focused on him and trying to make a play.”
What about after the play?
“It was definitely exciting,” Riley said, “just to get that feeling and to hear that atmosphere [at MetLife Stadium] after that play was special.”
When he got to the sideline, his teammates celebrated with him.
“This team is very supportive of whoever makes a play,” Riley said.
Martindale’s response? “Great play.”
“I take pride in having his back,” Riley said, “and he has mine.”
In expressing his feelings after the Giants drafted Riley in the…
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