Adoree’ Jackson never considered the door to the New York Giants closed even after he went five months being a free agent.
On Friday, the veteran cornerback was back at team facilities signing a one-year deal — which will now be his fourth season with the Giants — just over one week before the Week 1 season opener at MetLife Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon.
“No animosity, no feelings, no ill intentions on my end,” Jackson said. “When I came in and saw everybody, it was like being at a family reunion. Like, ‘I haven’t seen you in a minute. Where you been? How you been? What you been up to?’ So, I didn’t have any vibes of anything being bad. When they hit me up or they call me or text me, it wasn’t like I didn’t want to reach out or I didn’t want to pick up the phone. I’ve been knowing them for two years. We’ve had relationships and talk before.
“I understand that things (are) a business and I don’t ever want to put business with anything personal. That’s just how life goes. In tune with who I am as a person and with my faith. So, I wasn’t really worried about too much and knew when something was right, it would be right, and it would happen. And here I am.”
The 28-year-old USC product spent the offseason staying in shape at his old high school, Junipero Serra, in California and while he might not be in full-game shape yet, he is projected to start opposite second-year corner Deonte Banks over the likes of Nick McCloud and Cor’Dale Flott.
I wouldn’t say [I sought] any reassurance [of starting], but I know I seek in being wanted back,” Jackson said. “When you’ve got that aspect of being wanted, you’re able to go out there and just do what you can to help the team, whatever it may be. So whatever role they give me, they say go out there and be the vise for (wide receiver) Gunner (Olszewski), why don’t you take a punt return back, I can do that. ‘Go out there and make a tackle on a punt returner.’ At gunner, I can do that.
“So, whatever may be needed, play corner, inside, whatever it may be, any way to help this team and to be able to just help the guys in general.”
Granted, head coach Brian Daboll was true to form in not divulging any sort of depth-chart decisions.
“By the end of the week, we’ll determine what we’re going to do relative to roster, play time, all those types of things,” Daboll said. “Those guys are competitors. It’s the NFL, so you try to make it as competitive as you can make it, and we’ll play the guys we think give us the best chance.”
While Jackson will not need much time getting reacquainted with his teammates, he will reunite with new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen — the two worked together during their time with the Tennessee Titans.
“I think being able to know Shane and some of the things that he did when I was in Tennessee with him, understanding some of the verbiage may have changed, but it’s easy for me to wire my mind on how to compartmentalize what these defenses may be and some of the calls,” Jackson said. “So, I think that’s helpful.”
Jackson played in 14 games last season with New York, recording one interception with eight passes defended and 63 combined tackles.
