Giants Drop Preseason Opener in Jacksonville
The first game of the preseason for the New York Giants gave
an opportunity for players to show why they deserve a spot on the 53 man roster
with the defending champions. It also
gave some reasons as to why some people shouldn’t.
There isn’t much to take from preseason games other than
getting a look at newcomers.
David Wilson, the Giants first round pick out of Virginia
Tech, was the last running back to take a carry on Friday night for Big
Blue. On his first carry he was
sandwiched by tow Jaguars and then broke off a 26 yard burst up the middle
quick enough that if you blinked you would have missed it. On his third carry
he was hammered for a five yard loss.
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The battle for the backup running back position behind Ahmad
Bradshaw looks like it is going to be fierce throughout camp. In addition to Wilson ,
the Giants also have D.J. Ware and Andre Brown fighting it out.
Ware was solid, getting the first crack after Bradshaw
Friday night. Ware got five carries for
30 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, showing elusiveness and quickness.
Brown got the next shot and looked impressive his first two
carries which resulted in 19 yards. He
was later stuffed in a third-and-one attempt, finishing with seven carries for
25 yards and one reception for four yards.
Second round pick Rueben Randle was not to be outshined by
his fellow rookie, as he showed some glimpses of his potential as well. Randle made two receptions on the night, the
first a 21 yard catch and the second one a six-yard touchdown in the corner of
the end zone. The touchdown reception
was a good look at Randle taking the size advantage he has and putting it to
use.
The wide receiving corps are set at the top with Victor Cruz
and Hakeem Nicks, once he returns from injury, but there will be a competition
for the third receiver spot. Randle had
a strong showing but will have to hold off veterans Domenik Hixon, who sat with
a hamstring injury and is returning from an ACL tear last season, and Ramses
Barden, as well as second year player Jerel Jernigan.
Jernigan just missed making a spectacular play with one hand
as it seemed Jaguars corner Williams Middleton was holding down his other hand. Isiah Stanback did make a highlight reel play
later in the game, snagging the ball out of the air with one hand for a
touchdown off a pass from David Carr.
Last season’s first round pick Prince Amukamara has some
expectation so fill this season especially if he is needed to fill in for
Terrell Thomas. Amukamara struggled in
the beginning of the game, being targeted by the Jaguars offense throughout the
first drive, getting burned multiple times and eventually surrendering a
touchdown to Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts.
Amukamara would redeem himself the next drive, stripping
Shorts of the ball resulting in the Giants recovering the fumble. Amukamara is the guy the Giants want
replacing Thomas if it comes down to it, he just needs to get more reps under
his belt after a rocky rookie campaign.
Free agent tight end signed Martellus Bennett has made some
waves in training camp with his mouth and backed it up at least for one game
Friday night. Bennett referred to
himself as the “Black Unicorn” because of his blend of speed and size and
showed off some of those talents reeling in three catches for 27 yards and a
touchdown. The Giants are expecting good
things from Bennett not only in the passing game but blocking as well.
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The rookies from Virginia Tech, Wilson and cornerback Jayron
Hosley, had impressive showings on special teams. Special teams for the Giants were weak last
year, lacking an explosion in the return game; Wilson and Hosley have the
ability to change that this season.
Hosley was also solid on defense, getting a sack and showing
solid coverage skills. If Hosley is able
to limit his mistakes, he has an outstanding chance of being a real contributor
this season.
Other Giants to make positive impacts were Adrian Tracy,
looking to make an impact in the spot vacated by Dave Tollefson this
season. Mark Herzlich also looked strong
throughout the game at the linebacker position and could potentially push Chase
Blackburn for his starting spot.
Next up for the Giants is a meeting with the Jets at MetLife
Stadium August 18th. It will
be the first look for the Giants at Tim Tebow.
wheres the love for blaineeeee
ReplyDeleteHe would be lucky to be a top 4 quarterback in New York
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