


Parris Campbell can already envision the knockout blow.
No, the new Giants receiver isn’t planning on starting any fights or throwing any punches. But he’s approaching the Week 1 matchup against the Cowboys like a fighter before a heavily anticipated bout.
The Cowboys’ aggressive, ball-hawking secondary provides an immediate opportunity for Campbell to demonstrate why the Giants signed the speedster.
Dallas’ defensive backs are known to take ample risks in coverage while trying to create turnovers, and the Cowboys’ 16 interceptions last year were tied for seventh-most in the league.
“It’s just like a boxing match, sometimes a guy gets a little over aggressive,” Campbell told The Post after the Giants’ practice Friday afternoon. “You see boxers use that to their advantage all the time. … You watch tape all throughout the week and see where you can counter.”
Though he had just three interceptions last year, Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs had an NFL-best 11 picks in 2021.
A receiver at the beginning of his college career, Diggs is constantly hawking for interceptions and at times has been burned by big plays as a result.
Dallas’ DaRon Bland had five interceptions last year, tied for second-most in the league, and safety Malik Hooker had three.
The Cowboys also traded for stud cornerback Stephon Gilmore this offseason.
But speed can wreck an overaggressive defense.
And conversely, defensive backs who don’t respect their opponents’ ability to beat them downfield will take more liberties in trying to pick the ball off.
“Obviously, both of the corners that they have are very, very talented,” Giants rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt told The Post. “Both have experience in the league. … Watching their eyes, seeing what they’re looking at, seeing if they’re looking in the backfield or not, there’s a lot of things that we’ve seen on tape that we know we can go out there and execute with. It’s gonna be a fun game.”
No Giant had more than 63 receiving yards in either matchup against the Cowboys last year, and running back Saquon Barkley was the second-leading receiver in the first game.
Glaringly lacking speed last year, the Giants made it one of their priorities this offseason to make their passing game more explosive.
Along with signing Campbell, the Giants traded up in the third round to draft Hyatt, one of the fastest receivers in the draft, and traded for tight end Darren Waller, a proven vertical threat.
Campbell had seven catches of at least 20 yards last year.
Other than Darius Slayton, who had 12, no Giant had more than three such catches.
Now, the expectations for Campell and the Giants’ passing game must turn into results.
“That [speed] being the emphasis point for this offense, you definitely feel it,” Campbell said. “I think more so the in-locker room feel, that’s just how we play. That’s just how we consider ourselves as players — explosiveness, being able to run fast and make plays, that’s just how we look at ourselves.”