The Jets played their starters for the first time this preseason, while surprisingly, the Giants sat most of theirs leaving it to this past week’s joint practices to see what they have in their starting lineup. Even the special teams were a motley mix of players from throughout the depth chart, making game three more of a continued tryout than a warm-up for the season. The uncertainty does not bode well, especially with all the injuries. As the Giants are fifth on the waiver wire, they will likely be very active after the final cuts on Tuesday.
There is value in seeing how the backups can handle individual assignments. Still, at the same time, their starters have yet to face top talent in a game. Depending on one’s roster situation, you can be throwing some of your players to the wolves. Indeed, eyebrows were raised amongst the Giants faithful when finding out that their second and third-string linemen were facing the likes of Carl Lawson and Quinnen Williams. The Giants have seen the results of such a thing for several years, and yet we watched as the hope the backups gave the fan base last week quickly deteriorated as the Jet’s defense penetrated on nearly every play.
After a few series of repeated jailbreaks that had Tyrod Taylor scrambling, one might hope some of the starters would be inserted, but to no avail, on his third possession, Taylor was crushed and injured his back. Hopefully, human sacrifice is not a standard part of Daboll’s coaching strategy, for he certainly set his backup QB up for a tough day.
Davis Webb’s history with coach Daboll in Buffalo continued to be apparent as he played the rest of the game efficiently and was in command of the playbook. He continues to make those around him better, and you can see why the Bills allegedly offered him a coaching job. Webb went 30/38 and 202 yards with a 97.6 rating. He is not the same nervous, often off-the-mark quarterback that he was when first drafted by the giants.
Receiving (32/231 1TD)
David Sills nor Richie James looked as dominant as they did previously. Golladay got the start but was just as invisible as he was last year when Daniel Jones was running for his life. Robinson finally got to show his speed on a reverse and a screen.
Rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger (3/37) displayed an ability to get open and his soft hands until having to leave the game with a concussion in the second quarter.
Rushing (21/86 1TD)
Gary Brightwell’s vision seems to improve, but he looks slow, especially vs. higher-level talent. Antonio Williams is easily taken down. He got tackled off his feet and fumbled the ball away. Jashaun Corbin continued to spend the later quarters running hard but with his absence from the special teams, he doesn’t look like he is in roster consideration. The preseason playing against backups has deceptively made the running back group look deeper than they are.
Defense
The second-string defense held up admirably against the Jet’s starters, forcing a fumble and with Austin Calitro returning a horrible Joe Flacco cross-body throw for a touchdown. Yet they did end up surrendering 263 yards in the first half. The Jets’ tight ends had their way with the linebackers, enough to give fans flashbacks, and the middle of the line continues to be soft. The secondary depth continued the preseason theme of making backup quarterbacks look excellent, allowing the Jet’s second and third-string quarterbacks to finish with 146.7 and 136.5 QB ratings, respectfully.
The Receivers Cornerback Aaron Robinson may be Facing in 2022
Special Teams
Kick/Punt coverage was still suspect, giving up substantial returns, but I don’t believe we have seen the starting special team units yet.
Pointless Final Roster Predictions
I am not counting player that will be dropped after they start signing off the waiver.
Offense: 24
QB: (2) Jones and Webb. Webb is too much of a coach to have on the sideline, and he takes the second active QB spot.
RB: (3) Saquon Barkley with be backed up by Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell. Brightwell beats out Williams for the third running back spot
WR: (6) Golladay, Toney, Shepard, Robinson. Richie James and C.J Board round out the receiver corps. Slayton will be traded for a 7th-round pick.
TE: (3) Bellinger and Myarick make the team. A third will be picked up on waivers.
T: (4) Ezeudu starts at guard, but will swing to tackle when needed as Hamilton here as a back up tackle will swing to guard if needed. A waiver pick-up will be the second backup tackle to start the season behind Neal and Thomas
G: (4) Lemieux & Bredeson will back up Glowinski and Ezeudu
C: (2) Feliciano will start, and the Giants will try to find another center on the waiver wire.
Defense: 26
DE: (2) Ward, Williams,
DT: (4) Lawrence, Ellis, Davidson, Holmes
OLB: (6) Ojulari, Thibodeaux, Smith, Ximines, Brown, Roche
MLB: (4) Martinez, Crowder, Mcfadden, Coughlin
CB: (6) Jackson, Holmes, Flott, Robinson, Williams, waiver wire signee
S: (4) McKinney, Love, Belton and a waiver signee
Specials: 3
Punter: Gillian Kicker: Gano Holder: Krieter
Practice Squad
QB Tyrod Taylor WR Bachman RB Platzgummer
RB Williams T Mbaeteka T Hamilton
G Holden WR Sills LB Fox
S Corker WR Toivenen +5 Waiver Wire Pickups