The New York Giants finished their preseason on Friday with a 23-6 victory over the New York Jets. Odell Beckham Jr. had a big night. Dominic Zvada learned he had won the placekicking job. Let’s review the action in our unique ‘Kudos and Wet Willies’ style.
Kudos to …
Odell Beckham Jr. — Is anyone still questioning whether or not Beckham is making the 53-man roster? Beckham nearly had a 73-yard touchdown reception, but Jameis Winston slightly overthrew him and the ball fell incomplete.
Beckham still had an outstanding night. He caught three passes for 53 yards, an average of 17.7 yards per catch, with the longest being a 23-yard grab. He has enough juice to be a useful player for this Giants team.
John Harbaugh said after the game that Beckham has done enough to make a roster, but stopped short of anointing him as part of the Giants’ 53-man roster.
Tyrone Tracy — The third-year running back needed a big night after mishaps in the first two preseason games. He got one with four carries for 37 yards, including a 16-yard run, and a 6-yard touchdown. He also survived an injury scare, passing a concussion test and seeming to be fine while on the sideline in the second half.
Offensive line — There were holes to run through and pockets to pass from all night. The Giants traded offensive linemen Daniel Faalele and Josh Ezeudu over the past week, because they liked their depth. Friday night you could see why. Sisi Mauigoa was outstanding in his brief stint. Guys like rookie J.C Davis, Evan Neal, and Jake Kubas all played well. It was fun, and sort of mystifying, to watch Neal push guys backwards all night. Where has that been for the last four years?
Zaire Barnes — Barnes capped off an excellent summer with a tremendous, athletic interception. The fact that he was also a game captain was a massive pre-game hint that he is making the 53-man roster.
Trace Ford — I don’t know if there is a place for Ford on the 53-man roster, but he certainly made a case on Friday for the Giants to find one. Ford, an edge defender, had five tackles, three for loss, a sack, two quarterback hits, and two passes defensed. Question is, will he have a roster spot on Sunday night?
Dominic Zvada — Zvada has won the placekicking competition with Ben Sauls. Zvada made field goals of 23, 46, and 53 yards, and added two extra points. It didn’t hurt that short-time Giant Jason Sanders missed an extra point and was short on a 54-yard field goal try. John Harbaugh made it official after the game that Zvada will be the placekicker.
Jake Haener — After just joining the Giants a couple of weeks ago, Haener was impressive in his only game action of the preseason. He went 6 of 7 for 101 yards, a touchdown, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Haener’s touchdown was a beautifully directed and thrown ball to wide receiver Xavier Gipson. Did Haener do enough to take a practice squad spot away from Brandon Allen?
Jordan Stout — Thanks to a penalty, Stout was forced to re-kick after a 63-yard punt. He responded with an amazing 81-yard punt that was nearly downed at the 1-yard line by Darius Muasau and Dalen Cambre.
Najee Harris — The newly-signed running back got his first game action, and looked good. He carried 11 times for 39 yards, with a long run of 9 yards, as the Giants got him ready for Week 1.
Wet Willies to …
Run defense — Not sure that the Giants need to be scouring cuts for defensive line help? All you had to do was watch the Jets’ opening 10-play, 36-yard drive to know that the answer is absolutely. The Giants need rotational players to join D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris, and they are sorely lacking in capable run defenders on the interior defensive line.
Darius Alexander, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Leki Fotu, and pretty much everyone the Giants put out there left a lot to be desired in run defense. Jamison-Travis and his sack celebration are fun. His job, though, is run defense. He needs to get better at it.
Turnovers — The Giants committed two. One, a Jameis Winston interception after a pass bounced off Beckham’s hands, set up the Jets’ touchdown. The other, a red zone fumble by Braxton Berrios, denied the Giants a scoring opportunity.
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