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New York Giants inside linebacker Bobby Okereke is ready to reclaim his place among the NFL’s best after a season that saw him take a step back.
2024 was a trying season for Okereke. He was thrust into a new scheme under first-year defensive coordinator Shane Bowen before having his season cut short in December by a herniated disc.
Okereke still made the best of his 12 games last year but he’s healthy now and ready to step into his leadership role in the middle of the Giants’ defense.
“No, no procedures,” Okereke told the media this week at the Giants’ second of 10 OTA sessions. “Medical staff here, Ronnie (Dr. Ronnie Barnes) and everyone took great care of me, did a great job, rehabbed all offseason and I’m out here flying around. I just feel happy and blessed to play football.
“Pretty scary disc injury. I was feeling some nerve pain. Couldn’t really sit for a couple of weeks. It’s the type of injury you need to come back better or worse from. So I just feel fortunate with the medical staff, training staff here took real good care of me, and I feel back and better than ever.”
With a year of Bowen’s philosophy under his belt, Okereke sees himself settling in and getting back to the days when he filled the stat sheet.
“Yeah, Year 2 in the same system. I don’t think I’ve had that since my second year in the league, so I’m excited. I’ve been studying a lot this offseason, feel like I’m on a good mental page with Shane of how he wants to call the plays and everybody’s communication out there. So, it is fun. Less thinking, more playing,” he said.
Okereke had a stellar first year with the Giants in 2023 under coordinator Wink Martindale and his attack-style approach. Bowen’s way of doing things is not as aggressive and Okereke — and some others — were slow to acclimate.
“Run defense is a mentality, it’s pride, but it’s also understanding. If everybody understands exactly where they’re fitting on the snap, then you go play with your physicality,” said Okereke. “You go play with your mental fortitude. Exactly.
“But if you’re hesitant, if you don’t necessarily know if this guy’s fitting in this gap or this guy’s fitting over here, it’ll make you a step slow and I mean that’s a couple yards in this league, so I feel like Year 2 in this system, everybody being on the same page with the understanding will be very good.”
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