The Giants played the Bengals and came out with a 25 to 22 victory, for what that is worth. What is valuable is the apparent comfort level the team has with their new playbooks. This isn’t merely a team knocking off the rust and auditioning backups. This is a team with a first-time head coach, first-time coordinators, and a host of new players developing brand new playbooks. Who the Giants play does not matter; how they handle their assignments and coaching does.
Passing Game
With all the injuries to the offensive line, there was some skepticism about whether Daniel Jones would play in the second exhibition game. Still, he played for a quarter and a half behind a makeshift offensive line that surprisingly gave him plenty of time. Yes, the Giants were playing primarily against backups from the start but let’s take the win. Since their line was holding up, Jones had the opportunity to look comfortable in a new offense. He went 14/16 for 116 yards with an interception off the hands of tight end Daniel Bellinger. Jones made decisions quicker but still habitually stared down receivers, which he might not get away with vs. starters.
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Jones’s extended time allowed backup receivers to play with the first team and make the most of their opportunity. Collin Johnson (3/41) had another solid showing. He, David Sills, (5/56), and Alex Bachman (11/122/2) looked smoother and more confident in their routes. They always seem to find plenty of space to get open, and the second half was dominated by third-string quarterback David Webb and Bachman’s somewhat effortless pitch and catch.
Such a performance is what makes watching preseason football fun. The Giant’s offense was playing for their jobs, and it showed. After Tyrod Taylor (7/11 for 37 yards) and the offense sputtered a bit, Davis Webb (22/24 for 204 yards 2 TD) had total command of the offense and did his best to help his teammates keep a job with the Giants or find one elsewhere.
Without a true center left to play, guard Will Holden played the position for the first time, and each snap was an adventure of its own that Webb managed to corral again and again. At tackle, the mountainous, 6’9’ 320-pound Roy Mbaetka, played his second game EVER. It showed for he looked like he was wearing a back brace while grasping at those trying to steal his golden goose. But he battled, and Webb managed not to get hit.
Run Game
The run game was not the focus, for they ran the ball only 20 times compared to 43 passing attempts. The line was impressive, executing pulls, and often pushing into the second level. It looks like wide receivers will be expected to block in this offense, even lining up inside closer to the line to do so. Sunday, they looked up to the task.
Defense
Aaron Robinson seems sticky but not sticky enough, for he still struggles to get his head around to see the ball. None of the reserve cornerbacks made a strong push for the roster, yet the cornerbacks generally crashed down very well in run support, and screens did not seem to have a chance against the Giants defense.
The Bengals could not run at all in the first half without committing a holding penalty. Cincinnati backup tackle D’Ante Smith committed three such penalties trying to contain linebacker Azeez Ojulari. However, in the second half, the defensive line became much more porous.
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Fifth-round pick D.J Davison had difficulty shedding blocks and was blown up by double teams. The Bengals were able to run on the reserves gaining most of their 69 yards in the second half.
Micha McFadden led the team with five tackles. Both Quincy Roche and undrafted free agent Tomon Fox played well on the edges and each got a hit on the quarterback. Fox sealed the win by forcing a fumble with a crushing hit. With time running down, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale had both outside linebackers line up at the edge of the field, eight yards deep to prevent an offensive player from getting out of bounds. Therefore when a short pass to the flat was completed by Cincinnati receiver Trenton Irwin, Tomon Fox appeared like a bat out of hell and Irwin was momentarily knocked out of this plane of existence. By the time he returned, the ball had been recovered by the Giants and the game was over.
Special Teams
The coverage unit gave up a 75 yard kickoff return on which kicker Grahm Gano got himself a concussion by attempting to tackle the returner by the leg, with his head. On a fun note, punter Jamie Gillan seemed to enjoy successfully taking up the kicking duties, including kicking a 31 yard field goal.
More Injuries
Another week and another rookie down for the count. Promising rookie linebacker Darian Beaver suffered a torn ACL an is done for the season. Kayvon Thibeaux failed to get low on an oncoming chop block by a pulling tight end and luckily only sprained his MCL. He hopefully will be back in three to four weeks. Wideout C.J Board also left the game with a rib injury.
Coaching
Not to take anything from the players inspired performance, but the story is more about how the team is coming together as a whole rather than individual performances. The Bengals were in the Superbowl last year and not that bereft of talented depth nor are the Giants overflowing with starting talent. So, when various receivers are getting open all game, I’m more inclined to give credit to the scheme. When the offensive line, filled with rookies and the backup’s, backups and fight hard and disciplined on their assignments, I am going to have to tip my cap to the coaching. These players were prepared to succeed.
