Giants relying on James Bradberry to fill leadership void

The position is listed as “cornerback.” That, however, is not the only designation the Giants will place upon James Bradberry. It is difficult to import leaders, but that is what is required out of Bradberry, the highest-priced free agent brought in by the Giants. He must be a top player and also a top role …

The position is listed as “cornerback.” That, however, is not the only designation the Giants will place upon James Bradberry.

It is difficult to import leaders, but that is what is required out of Bradberry, the highest-priced free agent brought in by the Giants. He must be a top player and also a top role model for all the young cornerbacks he will eventually get to know.

This sounds like a promising start. Once Bradberry agreed to terms on a three-year, $45 million deal, he followed DeAndre Baker on Instagram, a typical course of action for a 26-year-old. Baker figures to be the Giants’ other starting cornerback. But linking via social media, Bradberry realizes, cannot take the place of actual contact.

“I didn’t have a chance to talk to him,’’ Bradberry said Friday. “I’d rather introduce myself to him and meet him in person. That goes a lot smoother than versus a text message or a DM [direct message].’’

Bradberry said he watched Baker in college at Georgia and “I saw a really good athlete, so I’m looking forward to working with him.’’

After a pause, Bradberry knew he did not want to leave that thought alone.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the guys, honestly,’’ he said. “I don’t just want to single one person out.’’

Whenever the COVID-19 social distancing regulations are lifted, NFL offseason programs will open up and only then will Bradberry get to meet Baker, Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine and Grant Haley, young corners who all could benefit from a bell cow out in front of the group.

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, when he ran football operations for the Panthers, made Bradberry the 62nd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, taking him out of Samford in the second round. It turned out to be a solid selection. Bradberry gained a starting job as a rookie and in the past three years started 47 of a possible 48 games. He has 47 career passes defensed and only eight interceptions, making ball-hawking an area at which he can improve.

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Bradberry said Gettleman “came out of nowhere and made an offer’’ to his agent. Even considering his history with Gettleman, this surprised Bradberry.

“I didn’t even expect them to come make an offer,’’ he said. “He already knew the type of guy I was and I knew the type of guy he was and the type of program and organization he was trying to bring and instill over there in New York. I knew it was nothing but positives.’’

Clearly, Gettleman believes Bradberry can be forceful influence on the field, in the locker room and in the cornerback meeting room.

“Gettleman of course he saw me close and personal my first year and then after that he saw me from afar,’’ Bradberry said. “I think he saw me improve each and every year. In order to improve you got to be able to take knowledge and apply it on the field, and that’s what I want to do for the younger guys, I want to give them knowledge and hopefully they can apply it on the field.’’

The Giants also need Bradberry to be exemplary as a player. He did his best work facing his most familiar opponents. Last season, he faced NFC South rivals Michael Thomas (Saints), Julio Jones (Falcons) and Mike Evans (Buccaneers) a total of six games and allowed only one touchdown. Bradberry said he considers Jones to be the toughest receiver he has ever faced, but “all those guys are elite, Michael Thomas and Mike Evans are not too far behind.’’

With new restrictions in place amid this pandemic, Bradbery has never been to the Giants’ facility, nor has he met any coaches. There was a phone conversation with new head coach Joe Judge.

“We didn’t really talk about football a whole lot,’’ Bradberry said. “We were just talking about his life and what is going on in the world. He was telling me they’re postponing OTAs and we can figure out football later on.’’

Living in Charlotte, Bradberry admitted it has not hit him yet that he is actually coming to the Giants, given what is going on in the world. He said his training “has kinda come to a halt’’ and he is trying to get workouts in. If that means taking a bicycle ride around his neighborhood to keep his legs in condition, so be it.

“Whether that’s communicating with the coaches and trying to get as much information from them as much as possible,’’ Bradberry said. “Just real small things. Mainly, just staying in shape is the biggest thing.’’