Sure, it took hard work for Sills and Brightwell to find a role, both at their positions and on special teams. Brightwell started embracing special teams at St. Georges , where he was not only a star running back, but also a star kick returner. He also played special teams in college at Arizona, and then with the Giants, knowing that could be a way to get on the field, not to mention make the team.
“I’m an all-around football player, no matter what it is,” Brightwell said in a phone interview. “Special teams play a big role, but I’m just an all-around baller. I love the game. So put me anywhere and I’ll show you why I deserve to be there.”
Sills has a similar attitude.
Sills went undrafted in 2019 and signed with the Buffalo Bills, whose offensive coordinator at the time was Daboll. But Sills was waived out of training camp and picked up by the Giants. He spent most of those three seasons on the practice squad before getting into his first NFL games last season. In fact, his first NFL catch came last Dec. 26 against the Eagles.
Still, it seemed like Sills’ chances to make the roster were thin after the coaching change. The Giants already had Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard at wide receiver. Then they drafted Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round.
Sills made the roster anyway. He even started the first five games as both Golladay and Toney, who was traded to Kansas City in October, have been disappointments. Both Shepard and Robinson later suffered season-ending torn ACLs.
“I think really consistency and hard work, and showing the coaches that you can make the plays day in and day out,” Sills said. “I think ultimately that’s what happened.”
But the chances haven’t been as plentiful for Sills lately. He has 11 catches for 106 yards this season, but he wasn’t on the game-day roster for three straight games, up until the Giants’ game last Sunday against Washington.
Brightwell has had to earn his touches as well. Barkley is fourth in the NFL with 1,055 yards and tied for second with 242 carries. Brightwell has carried the ball 9 times for 50 yards and a touchdown, while catching 2 passes for 18 yards.
On special teams, Brightwell has averaged 20.4 yards per return, including a 47-yard return against Seattle. Brightwell ranks 11th in the NFL in kickoff return average.
“Gary is a key contributor for us on special teams,” Daboll said. “He’s really done a lot of things. I think he’s developed as a running back in the short time I’ve been here. He’s tough, he’s smart, and he’s dependable. And Sills is very much the same, although he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities.
“Both of those guys are good teammates and they do everything we ask them to do.”
Even Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, who spent his previous two seasons with the Giants, saw this when he was in New York.
In practice, Bradberry would often go against Sills, who would provide scout-team looks for the upcoming opponent. It was the same with Brightwell, who would also provide scout-team looks of the opposing running back.
“(Sills) puts a lot of time and hard work into being out there,” Bradberry said. “He’s a crafty receiver, very smart, and tough. I think that’s what makes him the receiver that he is, and why he’s getting the opportunities.”
As for Brightwell, Bradberry added: “I saw that he was a tough kid because he was on special teams quite a bit. Even when he got in to run the ball, he was a downhill, physical runner.”
It also helps that Brightwell can learn from a running back like Barkley, while Sills has become close friends with quarterback Daniel Jones . In fact, the two have spent the past two summers working out together.
“I learn from a lot of guys, and he’s definitely one of them,” Brightwell said. “He’s intelligent. He knows the game of football to a ‘T.’ So just sitting back and watching him, you can learn a lot.”
Added Sills about Jones: “We were rookies at the same time with the Giants (in 2019), so I think we kind of just built a friendship on and off the field. I feel like that’s paid off for us. We’ve been able to have a connection out there.”
Both Brightwell and Sills have enjoyed this season, not only because they’re getting a chance, but also because the Giants are in the hunt for a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.
But it won’t be easy for the Giants. Four of their last five games are against the Eagles (11-1) twice, the Commanders (7-5-1) and the Minnesota Vikings (10-2).
“Obviously, playing football in December with the chance at the postseason is exciting,” Sills said. “But we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
For now, they’re having fun while enjoying being two players from a small state playing on the same team. They didn’t play in high school at the same time, but Brightwell, who also grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania, said he was familiar with Sills back then.
That’s because Sills was on the same Red Lion Christian and Eastern Christian Academy teams as many of Brightwell’s friends, such as former Eagles and NFL player Wendell Smallwood.
“It definitely brings joy because Delaware is a small place,” Brightwell said about being on the same NFL team as Sills. “Delaware, Chester, you don’t see many athletes that come out of those places.
“We always talk about our memories from high school and everything. I love to see it.”
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
