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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
The Giants exit the preseason in a precarious state. We’ve chronicled the concerning nature of Daniel Jones’ preseason, and any optimism hinges on Jones looking better once the coaches unveil the full playbook. The hope that Tyrod Taylor could at least provide mistake-free play in place of Jones now looks questionable. Taylor started in the preseason finale against the Jets and completed just 2-of-4 passes for 29 yards while throwing an interception before leaving with a back injury after a violent hit. Coach Daboll believes Taylor will be fine, but the Giants are still left with red flags up and down the depth chart. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan believes Davis Webb will make the team as the No. 3 because Coach Daboll owes it to Webb after talking him out of retiring to become the Bills quarterback coach a few months ago.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley has been one of the few bright spots offensively in camp, and he’ll have every opportunity to regain his status as one of the league’s best. But questions at quarterback, receiver, and offensive line raise concerns about the viability of running lanes and negative game scripts. The backup running backs did little against the Jets and haven’t looked like viable safety valves all summer. Matt Breida, still the presumptive No. 2, started and got the first three carries of the game. But he only managed 1 yard on three touches. Gary Brightwell was the next up, and he ran for 11 yards on two carries. Antonio Williams, who looked great in prior preseason action, mustered only two carries for six yards. Rookie Jashaun Corbin has been on and off 53-man roster projections for weeks, so his starring role this weekend (11 touches, 56 yards, one touchdown) may have landed him a spot. He’s versatile and can play fullback, H-back, or tight end.
Wide Receivers
The receiving corps doesn’t lack athletic upside but has lacked consistency and health throughout the summer. Kenny Golladay started again, played 14 snaps, and missed his lone target. To say Golladay’s preseason was disappointing would be an understatement. The Athletic’s Duggan said Coach Daboll didn’t rule out cutting Golladay when asked immediately after the game, although the cap hit ($4.3 million) likely keeps that from happening. Sterling Shepard didn’t play but is off the PUP list and suddenly looks like the team’s best receiver. Given his injury history and mediocre track record, that’s discouraging. Kadarius Toney warmed up with the team but was ruled out before kickoff, capping a maddening August that saw the mercurial talent miss the entire preseason slate. If you’re looking for a glimmer of hope, it’s rookie Wan’Dale Robinson. He has been consistent as the starting slot receiver, and both caught a pass and toted an 11-yard carry in the early moments of the Jets game. David Sills started alongside Robinson and Golladay, which makes Darius Slayton’s late appearance even more damning.
Tight Ends
Rookie Daniel Bellinger grabbed the starting job early in camp and held onto it so convincingly that the front office cut veterans Jordan Akins and Ricky Seals-Jones just months after signing them to compete for the top spot. He had three receptions for 37 yards against the Jets but suffered a concussion. His Week 1 status will be updated by the coaches soon. Undrafted free agent Austin Allen has been good enough to justify a 53-man roster spot, and his 4-catch, 40-yard, one touchdown performance against the Jets should’ve cemented his place.
Kickers
The Giants signed Ryan Santoso, who spent time on the team’s roster in 2020, as a possible sign that Graham Gano might not be ready for Week 1 against the Titans because of his concussion last week. Santoso was a candidate to win the Jaguars job in camp this year but was recently released.
Defense
The defense cannot afford to lose either Kayvon Thibodeaux or Azeez Ojulari, and somehow, both young edge rushers narrowly avoided major injuries over the last two weeks. We chronicled Thibodeaux’s scare last week, but Ojulari got hurt in joint practices this week. Fortunately, the MRI came back clean. Was Austin Calitro’s camp performance enough to displace either Carter Coughlin or Cam Brown as a backup linebacker? If it’s a meritocracy, then yes. But the front office may prefer to keep developmental youth, particularly when they’re also able-bodied special teamers. We signaled the cornerback spot as a weakness throughout camp, and as the 53-man roster cuts loom, it’s hard to imagine the front office won’t bring in a veteran or two from other teams to compete for roles. Adoree Jackson is a plus as the No. 1, but Aaron Robinson has been lit up all summer, and Darnay Holmes has been inconsistent, too.
Returners
C.J. Board and Richie James both have the potential to field returns for the Giants, but it’s unlikely both make the final roster. Whichever sticks will likely open the season as the team’s top returner.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
The message remains the same – Brian Daboll isn’t going to turn Daniel Jones into Josh Allen. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan put things well in his team review. “The new regime isn’t making a strong bet on Jones — hence the decision to pass on his fifth-year option for 2023 — and his performance during training camp hasn’t suggested the switch is suddenly going to flip for the No. 6 pick in the 2019 draft.” Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who will be calling plays this year, sounds more hopeful about the progression during camp. “Daniel is doing a great job. He’s doing a great job,” Kafka said after last Thursday’s practice. “We’re throwing a lot at him offensively; he’s seen a lot defensively and that’s all just going to help us. I’m really proud of where the staff has come from where we started to where we are now. I’m really proud of where the players are from where we started to where we are at.” With most of the projected Week 1 starters resting against the Bengals, Daniel Jones surprisingly played three series. He completed 14-of-16 passes for 116 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. The interception wasn’t his fault, as it went right through the hands of rookie Daniel Bellinger. Tyrod Taylor didn’t look like a real threat to displace Jones, either; he completed 7-of-11 passes for just 37 yards.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley appears frustrated with the stigma he’s prone to dancing in the backfield. When asked last week by a reporter about running more north and south (which came from Coach Daboll’s post-game comments after last week’s preseason game), the star tailback clapped back. “This is probably the last time I’m going to speak on this. I’m fed up with people who never played a position and try to speak on how I run the football.” Presumptive No. 2 Matt Breida has missed considerable time lately with an undisclosed injury. Although he returned to individual drills on the 18th, he was ruled out against the Bengals a day later. Antonio Williams and Jashaun Corbin were heavily involved against Cincinnati. Corbin led the team with nine carries for 27 yards and a touchdown. Williams ran the ball five times for 26 yards and also caught seven passes for 46 yards.
Wide Receivers
Kadarius Toney returned to practice this week but was held out of the Bengals game. Kenny Golladay’s stellar Thursday practice emphasizes how uninspiring he’s been all summer. These kinds of performances should be the norm, not the exception. Unfortunately, he played 20 snaps with Daniel Jones against Cincinnati and wasn’t targeted on 13 routes. WanDale Robinson played every 3-WR snap with the starters and looks like the No. 1 slot option. Alex Bachman isn’t going to make the 53-man roster, but his 11-catch, 122-yard, and 2-touchdown performance against the Bengals will make it harder to stash him on the practice squad.
Tight Ends
Don’t expect offensive fireworks from the tight end group in 2022. Daniel Bellinger remains firmly in the No. 1 spot but will make his hay as a blocker most of the time. Daniel Jones threw to Bellinger three times against the Bengals, and the rookie caught two throws, but, unfortunately, the third went through his hands and turned into an interception. Chris Myarick is even less comfortable as a pass catcher but should be the No. 2 and play a lot as a lead blocker. The only question is whether one of the disappointing veteran free agents – Ricky Seals-Jones or Jordan Akins – can hang onto a roster spot over undrafted rookie Austin Allen. Fellow UDFA Andrew Miller was the most encouraging offensive option early in camp, but he broke his arm and now seems more likely to be stashed on injured reserve for the season.
Kickers
Graham Gano is entrenched as the Giants kicker but suffered a concussion in the preseason game vs. the Bengals after attempting to make a tackle on Chris Evans following a long kick return. We’ll see if the team brings in another kicker this week as a possible sign that they are worried about his availability for Week 1.
Defense
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale isn’t making things easy on the Giants' offense. His aggressive blitzing has been so disruptive that Coach Daboll has asked him to ease off during some practices, “so every play isn’t mental gymnastics of figuring out different things.” Edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari practiced together for the first time this week, feeding off one another’s energy. “I told him yesterday in the meeting like everything he does I want to do it better," said Thibodeaux. "Whether it's eating, sleeping, or breathing, I'm going to try to do it better. So, just continuing to set a standard and continuing to chase and create that competitive banter." The collaborative vibe may be short-lived depending on the status of Thibodeaux’s knee; he left the Bengals game in the second quarter with a knee injury of indeterminate severity. Ojulari didn’t factor into the box score but drew two offensive holding penalties because Cincinnati’s linemen couldn’t contain him around the edge.
Offensive Line
Injuries are starting to mount as left guard Shane Lemieux hurt his toe and will not be ready for the regular season. Veteran Max Garcia (Pro Bowl Alternate) took his place. Behind Garcia, rookie Josh Ezeudu (undisclosed), Ben Bredeson (back), and Jamil Douglas (ankle) are all in various states of rehab. Center Jon Feliciano also missed time but appears on track for opening day. Mark Glowinski is a reliable grinder at right guard. The young tackles of Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal are developing, but this line needs to get healthy.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
The drum beats at quarterback remain concerning, as Daniel Jones endured "his worst performance of the summer" on Monday, according to The Athletic's Dan Duggan. For the first time in camp, Jones was removed from first-team drills in favor of Tyrod Taylor, albeit for only one play, so more of a symbolic gesture than a substantive one. Per Duggan, "It's important not to overreact to a single practice, but it's concerning how uncomfortable Jones has looked in this new offense for most of camp. It's not just that he's throwing incompletions and interceptions; it's that he continues to struggle to build chemistry with his receivers." Long-time beat writer Ed Valentine is equally concerned. "There has been some good. There has also been an awful lot of bad, with lots of off-target or head-scratching throws from Jones and some obvious miscommunications. It's all hard to make sense of, to be honest, because we aren't sure exactly what we're seeing on a play-to-play basis." The up-and-down play continued in the preseason opener as the starters played through the first quarter. Jones was 6-for-10 for 69 yards, leading his team on an opening 68-yard drive and field goal, then a quick series and punt on the second possession. Coach Daboll had a predictable post-game take. "There was some good and some things we could have back. They had a couple of free runners relative to the protection, but I thought he operated the offense well. He led them down on the first drive. We stalled there in the red zone. Good first start, but certainly things to clean up." Tyrod Taylor had a better night, playing mainly against the Patriots' backup defenders. The veteran was 13-for-21 for 129 yards and a touchdown.
Running Backs
There's no mystery atop the depth chart, as Saquon Barkley is the offensive centerpiece and will get as much work as he can handle while healthy. He started the preseason tilt against the Patriots and got five touches (four carries, one reception) before exiting after the first quarter. Matt Breida didn't play against New England, but he has stepped into the backup role from Day 1 and benefits from playing for Daboll in Buffalo; he understands the system better than most. The battle for the third and likely final roster spot is hotly contested. Gary Brightwell hasn't looked great in practice but was the next back up after Barkley sat against the Patriots. Antonio Williams came in for the start of the second half and scored a touchdown at the goal line. Consider the No. 3 battle unsettled for now.
Wide Receivers
Kadarius Toney sat against the Patriots, and Kenny Golladay was disappointing. Golladay was targeted three times and only caught one pass for six yards. He had a bad drop that would've been a first-down conversion in the red zone. Toney's injury isn't considered serious, but given how gentle the coaches have been with his workload during camp, it's a red flag. Collin Johnson (7 receptions for 82 yards) and Richie James (3 receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown) are fighting for roster spots and acquitted themselves well versus New England. But Johnson also fumbled in the game, and that's the kind of thing that can cost a fringe player his roster spot. The most mysterious part of the preseason opener was Darius Slayton getting time with the starters after running with the third-teamers consistently in practice; is he being showcased for a potential trade?
Tight Ends
Last week, undrafted rookie Andre Miller was opening eyes and pushing for a roster spot. But UDFAs don't have much margin for error, and he got hurt this week. Missing time will severely crimp his chances of landing on the 53-man roster. His loss is potentially Jeremiah Hall's gain. Both have been playing a hybrid H-back role in lieu of carrying a traditional fullback. Ricky Seals-Jones was viewed as the logical starter when he signed a few months ago, but he's missed nearly all of camp and now seems more likely to be cut. Rookie Daniel Bellinger started against the Patriots but stayed on the field into the third quarter, long after the other starters sat. Don't rule out a late summer veteran addition like Jared Cook, depending on how the next few weeks shake out.
Defense
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale almost exclusively calls man coverage, which is why the Giants jettisoned three starters from last year's secondary: Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, and James Bradberry. Unfortunately, the defensive backs vying to replace them haven't done enough to instill confidence yet. Starter Adoree Jackson looks the part, but Andrew Robinson, Darnay Holmes, Cor'Dale Flott, and Michael Jacquet III need to show more in the preseason. Unfortunately, the Patriots found success targeting Robinson in the preseason opener. The safety position is in better hands, and Martindale has anointed Xavier McKinney with the all-important role of play-caller (he's wearing the green dot). Per Valentine, "Martindale and the Giants are absolutely turning this defense over to McKinney. He is now the leader, a young, rising star."
Returners
The Giants have plenty of options to handle returns; none are that great. Rookie Jashaun Corbin has been the top kickoff returner in early August, while C.J. Board and Alex Bachman have been competing to field punts. The team also signed Richie James, San Francisco's top returner in 2018 and 2019.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
The Giants held a scrimmage on Friday, with new head coach Brian Daboll wanting to make it “as game-like as we could.” The first-team offense played two series against the first-team defense, and Daniel Jones’ performance was deemed “uneven” by The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. Unofficially, he was 12-for-22 for 112 yards and a touchdown but threw two passes that should have been intercepted. The scrimmage encapsulates how Jones looked throughout early camp practices. He flashes at times but still makes questionable decisions, like how he’s looked in prior preseasons. FanSided’s Braulio Perez echoed Duggan’s concern: “More of the same was on display for Jones in the Friday scrimmage. He just can’t keep things rocking when he’s looking sharp. This isn’t going to inspire a ton of confidence in the fanbase leading up to the first game of the regular season vs. the Titans. Plain and simple, Jones needs to keep improving.” Unsurprisingly, both Jones and Daboll are trying to put a brighter spin on the situation. “I thought he operated well,” Daboll said. “Again, I’m sure there are plays he would’ve wanted back, but I thought he did a good job with his decision-making process. Made some good throws. But certainly, a lot to work on.” Jones agrees: “We’re still early in the process. We’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s certainly my mindset. I think that’s coach Daboll’s mindset and the whole group’s mindset. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’re eager to do it. I’m comfortable and continuing to work to get more comfortable.”
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley passed every test so far. Not only is he 100% healthy, but he’s also running instinctively and powerfully. The new coaches have been effusive in their praise, and any question about Barkley’s role under the new regime can be put to rest. He’ll be the bellcow if he stays upright. Matt Breida’s familiarity with Daboll’s system is evident; he’s Barkley’s backup and is working as the lead tailback when Tyrod Taylor’s second-team offense takes the field.
Wide Receivers
Kenny Golladay is coming off a disastrous first year in New York, and the early camp practices looked no better. But the veteran is starting to warm up as the pads came on and strung several memorable days together, including an excellent scrimmage on Friday. Kadarius Toney is treated like a key veteran in his second season, as the coaches give him plenty of rest days to keep him healthy for the regular season. Toney’s at his best with the ball in his hands in space, which explains why Daboll’s offense is a better fit for him. “I feel like it’s a lot of energy they brought into the building. A lot of flexibility,” Toney said. “It’s more open with route-running and stuff like that; it’s not as pen and paper. Instead of just running it technical, it gives a chance to win instead of having to do it a certain way every time.” Rookie Wan’Dale Robinson is going to have a significant role immediately. The undersized playmaker out of Kentucky lined up with the starters during Friday’s scrimmage and was a regular part of the first-team rotation since camp began. There have even been sightings of Robinson and Toney in the backfield running a version of the Wildcat. Sterling Shepard’s timeline recovering from a torn Achilles remains nebulous; he’s on the PUP list, and there’s no official word on when he might return. Darius Slayton had a heroic rookie season in 2019 when injuries forced him into a key role, but his star is fading since. He’s been running primarily with the third-team offense in camp and looks to be on the outside looking in when the 53-man roster is finalized.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram never lived up to the hype, but his departure left the Giants with a massive hole at the position. Ricky Seals-Jones is losing whatever slight lead he had on the starting job entering camp. The veteran free agent joined the team on a one-year prove-it deal but missed a week of practices dealing with an undisclosed injury. The good news is a pair of rookies – Daniel Bellinger and Andre Miller – are turning heads and making strong cases for a full-on youth movement. Bellinger, a fourth-round draft pick, is generating a buzz since the earliest of rookie mini-camp reports. He’s carried that impressive showing into camp, where he’s staked his claim to the starting role. His value as a blocker will be immediately apparent; it’s less clear whether he’ll make a mark as a receiver. Miller, an undrafted rookie out of Maine, is less sure of a roster spot, much less a role. But he got time with the starters in Friday’s scrimmage and caught a touchdown from Jones playing against the starting defense. Rookie Jeremiah Hall also sees reps with the starters as a fullback.
Defense
Edge rusher Azeez Ojulari could be ready to return to practice after missing the first week-plus with a hamstring injury; he’s coming off a rookie team record eight-sack season. This year’s prized rookie, Kayvon Thibodeaux, put on a clinic during Friday’s scrimmage. His speed around the edge led to multiple holding calls against the offensive line. Adoree Jackson is locked in at the No. 1 corner spot, but the other spot could be an Achilles heel for the defense. Aaron Robinson is the starter presently, but he’s been beaten routinely in practices and seems to be the defender Daniel Jones is most confident throwing against. Leonard Williams is unblockable, while fellow lineman Dexter Lawrence was also impressive, save for a few recent hiccups in one-on-ones against guard Jon Feliciano.
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