Rookies Tyler Nubin, Dru Phillips aren’t backing down from any Giants challenge

A tired Saquon Barkley had conscionable vanished trash-talking Giants information Tyler Nubin erstwhile he slid onto nan Eagles chair and turned to a teammate. 

“I emotion No. 31,” Barkley said, referencing Nubin successful a sideline speech that was captured connected a mic’d up video. “He’s going to beryllium a bully safety. He’s a rookie — him and No. 22 [Dru Phillips]. They’re going to beryllium solid, bro.” 

General head Joe Schoen and Barkley ne'er saw eye-to-eye connected statement position — that’s really nan Giants’ champion playmaker and four-time cocaptain coiled up signing pinch nan Eagles aft six years connected nan different broadside of a rivalry — but Barkley put his stamp of support connected two players Schoen drafted astir six weeks losing his franchise’s biggest prima successful free agency. 

In what looks for illustration different mislaid play for nan Giants, nan improvement of nan second-round prime Nubin and nan third-round prime Phillips is 1 of a fewer things that could support fans engaged.

The Giants mightiness person successful spot 40 percent of their starting secondary done 2027. 

“It’s really a cool point to perceive from a feline for illustration [Barkley], coming done this statement wherever you perceive truthful overmuch astir him,” Phillips told The Post. “After nan game, we talked and I was like, ‘I sewage respect from Saquon. I must beryllium doing thing right.’ As a rookie, I spell out, do my activity and effort to gain respect.” 

Barkley ran for 176 yards against nan Giants, but his 1 touchdown could’ve been 3 if nan Eagles didn’t move to their near-automatic backmost sneak for 2 1-yard scores.

When Barkley was celebrating a successful Tush Push, Nubin reminded Barkley that nan Eagles didn’t springiness nan shot to him — to which Barkley replied that Nubin was “just a rookie” and had conscionable missed an open-field tackle. 

Add successful immoderate foul connection wherever expected. 

“Saquon is decidedly a feline I respect, and I’ve been watching since I was coming retired of precocious school,” Nubin told The Post. “I was thinking, ‘Dang, I person to tackle him aft seeing him successful nan league.’ That’s a cool infinitesimal that intends a lot, particularly from a vet who knows what goes into it.” 

It’s easy to group nan cerebral information Nubin and nan high-energy slot cornerback Phillips together arsenic rookie protect backs playing large roles. The similarities extremity there. 

“We’re different but some shape what nan different doesn’t have,” Phillips said. “He’s a batch much IQ and knows everything, and I’m instincts and spell play ball. When you put it together, it’s a bully tandem.” 

Nubin leads nan Giants successful protect snaps (425) aft linebacker Bobby Okereke’s two-year streak of 1,546 consecutive ended.

Phillips is allowing a NFL-cornerback-best 4.2 yards per reception and only has surrendered 2 first downs connected 11 completions arsenic Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookie corner. 

“We’re decidedly helping each different successful nan schoolroom and movie room,” Nubin said. “Our games are wholly different, but we’ve learned a batch from each different and I can’t hold to support going pinch him.” 

Steelers defensive-minded caput coach Mike Tomlin — whose squad will look nan Giants connected Monday — said Nubin “was highly thought of successful nan draft.” He added that he “liked [Phillips] a lot” successful scouting nan draught class. 

The duo “certainly has our attention,” Tomlin said. 

Phillips has six tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble — showing bully tally support — earlier his first walk defended. 

“My stat book looks for illustration I’m a linebacker,” Phillips quipped. “But it’s a bully thing. I cognize I’ve been sticky successful coverage, truthful I’m not getting targets. But it’s going to come, and these coaches support you humble. There’s ever thing I tin activity connected to get better.” 

The Giants spot Nubin, who has notched 48 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, arsenic early skipper material.

And not backing down from Barkley pinch galore early matchups ahead. 

“Treating it for illustration consecutive business,” Nubin said of his rookie approach. “I’m a talker connected nan section and I usually find nan guys that want to talk back. It gets maine into my game, and I’m trying to propulsion disconnected nan different team.” 

The Giants will return immoderate advantage they tin get. 

“We understand what we are and what we tin be,” Phillips said. “Each week, we’re pushing. It mightiness not beryllium nan biggest jump, but we’re trying to thief this squad win.”