…overall, the Giants’ third pre-season game had a different feel from the previous two. Unlike those exhibitions, the Giants did not dominate the tempo, play (and score) against Cincy. While there were strong performances (especially Daniel Jones), several players made enough bad plays to make last night’s game choppy and uneven.
But first the good news:
(1) Disregards Eli’s stat line 4 for 8. He played very well behind strong pass blocking and should have had a TD on a bullet pass slant. But Cody Latimore dropped the perfect pass. Not good. That was his second drop on the Giants first series;
(2) Daniel Jones had a lot more pressure on him than Eli (who stayed in the game for only the first drive – something like 15 plays). But DJ lit it up with beautiful long passes to Brittan Golden and Darius Slaton. DJ looked left before completing the ~30 yard pass to the right (Golden) and then on same drive a 27-yard completion (left sideline) to the one yard line to Darius Slayton, who made a wonderful adjustment on the ball;
(3) It has been said before but it’s worth repeating. Daniel Jones is not only accurate – he also shows the uncanny ability to place the ball where only his receiver can grab it. (Also of note – DJ hit Russell Shepard on a short crossing pattern that went for some nice yardage because the ball hit Shepard (perfectly) in stride;
(4) The run game was not there for the Giants last night, although Gallman broke off a nice 15-yard gain on Giants very first drive. The O-line washed everyone to the right and Gallman stepped back to the left. That was the highlight – practically everything else was pretty much contained. (Incidentally, the downside to Gallman's 15-yard run is that once in the clear there was simply no extra gear to pull away. It's unfair to make the comparison, but under the exact same circumstances, Saquon Barkley would still be running. Speed is NOT Gallman's game);
(5) Garrett Dickerson had two nice catches; ran very well with the ball and had a nice screen block on a naked bootleg to help spring Rhett Ellison. (In contrast, Scott Simonson butchered a very easy, catchable pass.) Also, Alex Wesley dropped a beautiful zip pass from Kyle Lauletta.
(6) Gotta give it up for Alonzo Russell who made two blocks to help spring Brittan Golden on a 68-yard punt return. Golden fielded the punt on the right and then made a cut to the left sideline. Russell was his wingman and screened off one Bengal and then hammered to the ground another. (Also, Russell snagged a bullet pass from Kyle Lauletta for a 2-point conversion that proved to be the winning margin of the game);
(7) Speaking of Golden – he had a very nice long pass reception (from Daniel Jones) and that wonderful punt return. But he couldn’t stand the prosperity and fumbled away the next punt.(He also had a sliding catch on a beautiful ball from Jones along the right-side line just before the end of the first half);
(8) On defense the play of Corey Ballentine (who had a lotta minutes) jumped off the screen, knocking balls away and tackling with authority. He just seems to be everywhere; he doesn’t look anything like a rookie from a small school;
(9) Oshane Ximines showed speed on the edge accruing two sacks, although one of them was a gimme as the Bengals reserve left tackle looked dazed and confused as though he forgot he was supposed to pass block. Ximines walked in unimpeded;
(10) Now for the bad news, beginning with our second year left guard Will Hernandez who had three penalties (face mask, false start and holding). He got badly beat to the inside and I just didn’t see him getting a consistent push on running plays;
(11) Nate Solder was beaten by speed on the edge and almost got our budding star QB planted into the ground;
(12) Tae Davis showed speed to the flat but was unable to gather himself and let the receiver escape for several extra yards;
13) Jabrill Peppers had outside responsibility but for some reason hesitated and seemed to be looking into the backfield allowing TE C.J. Uzomah to beat him down the right sideline for a 27-yard TD. Kinda inexplicable -- at some point in time I may begin to start worrying about this guy's instincts;
(14) On third and 18 Giants held the Bengals, but Olsen Pierre came to their rescue with a 5-yard hands to the face penalty which Cincy took advantage of, keeping possession for another 5 or 6 minutes. Ugh;
(15) It’s quite possible that LB Nate Stupar played his way off the team last night. I counted 4 missed tackles, some of them real beauts that resulted in big gains;
(16) It is also possible that Alex Tanney lost a spot on the roster. He badly overthrew the ball at least twice (perhaps three times) to wide-open receivers in third quarter. Should have been huge gains! In contrast, Lauletta looked a lot better, throwing the ball with some zip and accuracy, as well as showing Houdini-like moves to escape a fierce pass rush;
(17) In closing, through 3 exhibition games, Daniel Jones has been nothing short of spectacular, going 25 for 30 (a gaudy 83.3% completion rate) -- 369 yards; two TDs and zero INTs. Composure, accuracy, ball placement, mobility -- he's done it all so far.
(19) But do not sleep on NC State's Ryan Findley, who was taken in the 4th Round, 98 picks after Daniel Jones. He looked quite formidable last night, showing a very strong accurate arm. He carved up our secondary (comprised mainly of second and third string DBs), as did their third string QB, Jake Dolegala. Through three exhibition games, Findley has put up Daniel Jones-lime numbers: 48 for 65 (73.8%); 418 yards; 3 TDs; 1 INT.
(16) It is also possible that Alex Tanney lost a spot on the roster. He badly overthrew the ball at least twice (perhaps three times) to wide-open receivers in third quarter. Should have been huge gains! In contrast, Lauletta looked a lot better, throwing the ball with some zip and accuracy, as well as showing Houdini-like moves to escape a fierce pass rush;
It is GOOD news that KL is developing and will be nice backup for the next few years.
I’m wondering if it was a mixed up assignment, and Peppers was actually trying to cover for the CB not taking the deep responsibility.
I could be wrong, or it could be one of those things where it looked like it was Peppers fault, but actually wasn’t based on scheme
Very happy with DJ at this point. Play has been fantastic and he just looks the part. Calm, cool, decisive. Fingers crossed it's only the beginning!
Hands to the face last night. Illegal contact next week. Weak defensive hold the following week.
I hate these automatic first down penalties, because so often they look like bailout calls.
Id' love to see certain offensive penalties result in automatic 4th downs!
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Eli was funny in his post game interview...said he thought he’s lead Wayne all the way to the end zone, but realized he picked the wrong guy to block. But hey, the guy I blocked didn’t make the tackle.
That crossing route to Lattimer that was called a drop, unfair, imo. Eli threw it low, knee level or below in my look (don't believe they replayed it), typical Eli placement issues in the short passing game, esp. on crossing routes.
Placement, thy name is Daniel Jones.
He has given much better Guards the same amount of fits that he gave Hernandez last night. The hope is Big Wil takes this in stride and learns from it. He will also not be going against opponents of that caliber every Sunday.
That crossing route to Lattimer that was called a drop, unfair, imo. Eli threw it low, knee level or below in my look (don't believe they replayed it), typical Eli placement issues in the short passing game, esp. on crossing routes.
Placement, thy name is Daniel Jones.
While not an easy catch, the ball was placed there because Latimer had a man right on his back. Not an easy catch on a ball that was fired in there, but a catch that could and should be made by NFL Wide Receivers. I am going to go with not blaming anyone there. Ball was thrown where it needed to be and it was simply a tough grab with a guy on Latimer's tail.
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in the run game. ;) Link - ( New Window )
Eli was funny in his post game interview...said he thought he’s lead Wayne all the way to the end zone, but realized he picked the wrong guy to block. But hey, the guy I blocked didn’t make the tackle.
I know his time is coming to an end, but I'm going to miss Eli when he's gone - for his talent, for his character and his sense of class.
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solid, good observations, and agree 95%.
That crossing route to Lattimer that was called a drop, unfair, imo. Eli threw it low, knee level or below in my look (don't believe they replayed it), typical Eli placement issues in the short passing game, esp. on crossing routes.
Placement, thy name is Daniel Jones.
While not an easy catch, the ball was placed there because Latimer had a man right on his back. Not an easy catch on a ball that was fired in there, but a catch that could and should be made by NFL Wide Receivers. I am going to go with not blaming anyone there. Ball was thrown where it needed to be and it was simply a tough grab with a guy on Latimer's tail.
I think that if it's in your hands, you're obliged to catch it.
He has given much better Guards the same amount of fits that he gave Hernandez last night. The hope is Big Wil takes this in stride and learns from it. He will also not be going against opponents of that caliber every Sunday.
Thank you for saying this. We can only hope he learns from the great ones abusing him. He seems like the kind of kid who would learn.