{"id":141926,"date":"2020-12-26T05:53:02","date_gmt":"2020-12-26T02:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/giants-rookie-andrew-thomas-making-difference-off-the-field\/"},"modified":"2020-12-26T05:53:02","modified_gmt":"2020-12-26T02:53:02","slug":"giants-rookie-andrew-thomas-making-difference-off-the-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/giants-rookie-andrew-thomas-making-difference-off-the-field\/","title":{"rendered":"#Giants rookie Andrew Thomas making difference off the field"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Giants rookie Andrew Thomas making difference off the field<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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Andrew Thomas ran around the house screaming for joy on Christmas morning.<\/p>\n

What other reaction should a surprised preteen boy have to unwrapp<\/a>ing a brand new PlayStation 3?<\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas for us wasn\u2019t always about the gifts, but we were fortunate to have our family,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cI grew up in a two-parent household, and my grandmother would cook for every big holiday. There were some Christmases we might not have presents, but when I was 12 or 13, I wasn\u2019t expecting much, and somehow, some way, my parents got me the PS3.\u201d<\/p>\n

A decade later, Thomas\u2019 virtual likeness is part of one of the most popular video game<\/a>s \u2014 as the Giants\u2019 $32 million rookie left tackle in \u201cMadden NFL 21\u201d \u2014 and he is one who created Christmas memories for children.<\/p>\n

From afar, and with the help of his parents and local businesses, Thomas partnered with his hometown\u2019s mayor and local businesses on a drive that gave away 50 turkeys and provided gifts off the wish lists for five select families impacted by the pandemic in Lithonia, Ga.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe put together some bags to make people feel a little better during this time,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cI want to help out my community as much as I can \u2014 not just with giving, but I\u2019m thinking of planning things around how to manage money and pay your bills. Having this contract to help others is a big thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thomas recreated his childhood Christmases by flying in his parents, sister and girlfriend to fill his new home with the smell of soul food after Friday\u2019s Giants practice. In this most unusual season, he had all visitors tested and cleared for COVID-19 at the team facility to make certain he is on the field Sunday when the Giants visit the Ravens.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew
Andrew Thomas<\/figcaption>
Charles Wenzelberg\/New York Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Points could be hard to come by for the Giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir defensive front is crazy \u2014 they rotate a lot of good players in there,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cSome big, strong two-gappers up front who allow their linebackers to make a lot of plays and rushers who come in on passing situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thomas\u2019 rookie season has been a roller coaster: An encouraging debut, a nightmarish next six games and a five-game stretch where he turned a corner. Or so it seemed.<\/p>\n

The past two games are a true microcosm: Thomas was whipped by the relatively unknown Haason Reddick for an NFL-high seven pressures and two sacks in Week 14 \u2014 only to recover by going quietly unnoticed against fierce pass-rusher Myles Garrett. How does that make any sense?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a mentality thing,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cYou understand that, every week, you have to be prepared. You can\u2019t think anybody in the NFL is not capable of doing their job because they are the best at it. Once a game is over with, that\u2019s in the past. There were some things I put on tape [against Garrett] I was proud of, but there were plays I need to work on, and I take those to next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Giants offensive line was in a difficult spot two weeks ago because Daniel Jones was a sitting duck playing on two leg injuries. Jones\u2019 mobility looked better in practice this week, which allows Thomas greater margin for error protecting the blind side. He is likely to get heavy doses of six-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell and Pernell McPhee, with team sacks leader Matthew Judon on the other side.<\/p>\n

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