Adoree Jackson Ready for Rematch vs. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

NFL cornerbacks are generally urged to have short-term memories regardless of how a play against them works out.

But for New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson, his rocky meeting last year against Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb sort of stuck with him a bit longer, considering how Lamb made a highlight reel, one-handed touchdown grab against the Giants' top cornerback last season.

"It was a great throw and catch," Jackson said Monday. "Caught it kind of, not on his helmet, but dang near. Threw that way. We always talk about when we are playing in the red zone, making sure that they throw it to the back pylon, which they did. You don’t want to have anything cross your face or be anything in front of you, playing low to the hip. Just a great throw and catch; it’s just one of those things you just nod your head, tip your hat to them, and just keep back lining it up."

As Jackson often does after any play that doesn't go the way he wants, he recalled seeking feedback from Jerome Henderson, the Giants' cornerbacks coach, on what he could have done better on the play. 

And the seven-year veteran, who continues to tap into Henderson's knowledge, has been gearing up for a potential rematch against Lamb this Sunday night when the Cowboys visit MetLife Stadium to kick off the 2023 regular season.

"He's just exceptional talent. I think when you have a quarterback and receiver that are on the same page, a lot of things can happen," Jackson said of the challenges Lamb presents to a cornerback.

To potentially better counter the threat Lamb, who plays most of his snaps in the slot, poses to a defense, Jackson has been taking snaps this summer in the slot, an experiment that thus far has yielded some early positive results.

"I feel good doing it, being able to go out there, practice and compete," Jackson said of the move. "I have (cornerback) Darnay (Holmes) and (cornerback) Cor’Dale (Flott) to help me out a lot when I need pointers or have questions with Rome (defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson) and Mike (safeties coach Michael Treier).

"But to have the safeties and the linebackers, us being on the same page, we always talking about playing football and having that awareness of different splits, formations, a different alignment. Just trying to tie all that in and us all being on the same page makes me feel good out there."

Jackson revealed that a potential slot assignment didn't necessarily come about this year with Lamb on deck but instead was first brought up last year. However, he suffered a knee injury, returning a punt, and the experiment never got off the ground. Still, the idea intrigued him.

"For me, I was ecstatic and excited about the opportunity that I was going to be able to have in that position," Jackson said. "At the end of the day, it’s all about ‘We over me.’ If that’s where (defensive coordinator) Wink (Martindale) and the rest of the staff see fits best, then I’m going to go out there and play it to the best of my ability and give it 100% effort."

Jackson, who has always been willing to play whatever position is asked of him, won't dwell on that Week 3 meeting last year against Lamb in which the receiver caught six of seven pass targets for yards, one touchdown, and four first downs against him.

Jackson is instead focused on the big picture and ensuring he comes out on top more often than not.

"I think across the league, you take those matchups personally because, at the end of the day, you only get—it’s not like basketball, where you can play someone twice, four times, however many times or whatever it may be.

"I think every matchup that I go against, regardless of who it is at receiver, who the team is, you take it personally and want to go out there and showcase and display your best."