His first NFL game could have been his last. Andrew Adams is aware of how tenuous a football life can be and is living proof what does not get you fired can make you stronger.
Adams has started 12 consecutive games at free safety for a Giants’ defense that is rolling into the playoffs as one of the most feared units in the entire league. As an undrafted rookie from UConn who certainly does not make a ton of eye-catching plays, Adams is the most nondescript starter on a defense that has established and emerging stars in the secondary, with cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and strong safety Landon Collins putting the finishing touches on sensational 2016 seasons. Adams is not even the most decorated rookie in the defensive backfield — a designation that goes to Eli Apple, the first-round pick.
More than anything, Adams has endured and avoided the big gaffe, which is somewhat startling, considering he entered the scene making a monstrously big mistake that could have led to his demise.
“I know what kind of guy and player I am,’’ Adams told The Post, “so a penalty doesn’t define a person’s football intelligence or football career.’’
Adams and the Giants are set to close out the regular season Sunday at FedEx Field against the Redskins. The Giants have just one home loss this season, an agonizing 29-27 fourth-quarter meltdown to the Redskins on Sept. 25. Adams made his NFL debut that day, signed off the practice squad when a rash of injuries made a mockery of the depth chart at safety.
Adams was not needed on defense in that game; he played 18 snaps on special teams. One was truly memorable for its awfulness. The Giants trailed 26-24 with 11:20 remaining in the fourth quarter when another undrafted rookie, Romeo Okwara, blocked a punt by Tress Way that should have given the Giants the ball on the Washington 18-yard line. Adams, unaware the punt was blocked, raced down the left sideline and launched himself at a Redskins player to incur an unnecessary roughness penalty. Instead of getting the ball deep inside Redskins territory, the Giants took over on their 30-yard line.
“Oh yeah, when he took the head-shot,’’ Collins said Thursday, instantly recalling the Adams’ penalty. “He had a lot of backlash from it but it comes with the territory.’’
Adams was vilified for the blunder and was uncertain if the first loss of the Giants season would be his final game in a Giants uniform.
“I’ve come a long way,’’ Adams said. “We let that game slip away from us so we’re going down there to redeem ourselves and I’m gonna redeem myself.’’
Said Collins: “Glad we kept him, because we needed him.’’
Redemption arrived many times over for Adams, who has strong NFL bloodlines. He is a first cousin of Jets running back Matt Forte and also a first cousin of Sam Adams, a former NFL defensive tackle (1994-2007).
The Giants really had nowhere else to turn. Darian Thompson, the spring and summer rookie sensation, lasted two games before going down with a foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. Nat Berhe, the hard-hitting third-year player, has been limited to seven games because of recurring concussions. Adams was impressive back in the summer, did not survive the last cuts and landed on the practice squad, and then into the starting lineup.
“I mean, getting all the way down to him, it did surprise me,’’ Collins said. “At the same time it’s a blessing for him, great opportunity to get on the field and get his feet wet. If he’s not here next year he’s definitely going to be somewhere else because he’s showcased he has the ability to play.’’
Adams within the defensive scheme is the center fielder, playing deep enough to keep receivers and the ball in front of him. Mature and even-keeled, Adams, 24, has ordinary size (5-foot-11, 202 pounds) but he does not panic on the field and also does not freelance. He had a big game in the 28-23 victory over the Eagles at MetLife Stadium with a team-high nine solo tackles and his first career interception.
“He’s someone we trust back there because he’s always going to be assignment-correct on the football field and he’s always going to be lined up where he’s supposed to be,’’ Apple said.
“People took their shots, and he was right there making plays sometimes, so I feel confident,’’ Collins said. “It’s not easy, but when you got a defense that’s pretty good, it gets real comfortable and you have less to worry about.’’