Giants may rely increasingly on three-safety look

With Walter Thurmond and Trumaine McBride both lost for the season due to injuries, the New York Giants are left trying to figure out the best way to man the slot cornerback position for the rest of the year.

Jayron Hosley started in the slot vs. the Dallas Cowboys and played 15 snaps. It figures that Hosley, a third-year player, will continue to get opportunities. The Giants also "tested the waters" with a three-safety package that featured Stevie Brown at safety for 15 snaps and Quintin Demps in the slot. It is a look safeties coach Dave Merritt said this week that the Giants might use more going forward.

"The fact that we used to play the three-safety package a ton back in the days was because of the fact we had three veterans who were able to play," Merritt said. "I am talking about Kenny [Phillips], Antrel and you had Deon Grant. Right now we feel like we tested the waters and we have the same right now in our camp here with the Giants. Hopefully with Stevie Brown going down, or Antrel going down in the slot position, it would benefit us."

Brown, back after missing last season with a torn ACL, was benched after struggling in the first three games this season. He has re-emerged with the injuries the team has suffered.

"Coming off of the knee injury, Stevie is in a situation right now where he had a couple of things that didn’t go his way early in the season," Merritt said. "I don’t see any problem with the knee. He just needs to continue to gain confidence."

One player who has yet to be a factor for the Giants defense yet this season is fifth-round pick Nat Berhe.

"He is developing well," Merritt said. "He is going to be a good football player for the New York Football Giants for a long time."