HOUSTON – His quarterback performed in his first sport after an extended absence and linked with two of his high receivers. However soccer is a outcomes enterprise, even when the video games do not depend within the standings, so Brian Daboll had different points on his thoughts when he spoke to the media after the Giants’ 28-10 preseason loss to the Houston Texans in NRG Stadium.
“Robust to win a sport while you flip the ball over 5 occasions, begin with that,” Daboll stated.
The 2 points should not utterly separate. Enjoying in his first sport since tearing his ACL final Nov. 5, Daniel Jones was tagged with two of the turnovers, throwing interceptions on the Giants’ second and third offensive possessions. The primary was an ill-advised go that Jalen Pitre returned 5 yards for a landing. The second was a throw to Jalin Hyatt that Derek Stingley, Jr. picked off on the one-yard line with 2:32 remaining within the first quarter.
“A bit of shaky to begin,” Jones stated. “Clearly, the primary quarter did not go how we needed.”
However Jones’ return was nonetheless the sport’s most important Giants growth. Significantly since he accomplished 4 passes for a team-high 54 yards to Malik Nabers, the primary catches for the sensational first-round draft selection, who confirmed off his athletic capability on an acrobatic 21-yard reception. Jones and Darius Slayton connected for a 44-yard go that arrange the Giants’ solely landing and accomplished a profitable two-minute drive.
Jones, Slayton and Dexter Lawrence are members of the 2019 draft class and the longest-tenured Giants.
“It was superior, like previous occasions, like no time had handed,” stated Slayton, who caught three passes for 59 yards. “Clearly, I really like having him again on the market and hopefully he can keep wholesome, and we’ll have numerous enjoyable this yr.”
Jones did not play within the preseason opener final week and Nabers didn’t catch a go, however Saturday it appeared they’d performed collectively for years.
“We’re on the identical web page,” Nabers stated. “The chemistry is there. There’s nonetheless numerous stuff to scrub up, however the chemistry is there out on the sector.”
Jones performed every of the Giants’ 5 first half possessions, overlaying 30 snaps. They had been evenly divided, with Jones beneath heart and in shotgun for 15 snaps apiece. He accomplished 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards, gained 12 yards on his solely dashing try and was not sacked.
“One of many plans was to name some play actions, throw a bunch of deep balls right now simply to see how our line does (and) let him drop again,” Daboll stated. “Really feel slightly little bit of rush when it is stay after which attempt to push the ball down the sector, which has been some extent of emphasis. … You might have a plan entering into. It is slightly bit completely different than a regular-season sport, the place you are scheming and doing issues like that.”
As Jones famous, his first quarter was rocky. He threw two incompletions – together with Nabers’ drop on the sport’s first third down – because the Giants went three-and-out on the sport’s first possession. After a fourth-down cease by the protection, they took the following possession on their very own six-yard line. Two performs later, Jones dropped again into the tip zone, the place he was bearhugged by defensive finish Derek Barnett. He nonetheless threw the ball, which Pitre simply picked off and took the quick distance to the tip zone.
“Dangerous choice and a foul throw,” Jones stated. “I feel in a scenario like that, clearly you are being tackled ultimately zone, so intentional grounding there’s a security. So, simply ensuring you filth (throw) it at his toes, so there is not any probability for intentional grounding. Clearly cannot take a sack there ultimately zone.”
Daboll stated Jones made a “poor choice. … we’ll consider it. That is what these video games are for.”
Six performs into the Giants’ subsequent possession, they’d a primary down on the Texans’ 33-yard line. Hyatt appeared to have a step on Stingley, however the cornerback leaped and intercepted the ball.
“I left the ball inside – only a dangerous throw,” Jones stated. “Gotta miss exterior in that scenario while you throw it down the sector.”
For the second straight sport, the Giants scored all their factors within the second quarter. Two performs after Slayton’s lengthy reception, Devin Singletary scored on a one-yard run.
“It was good to complete that drive like that to get a landing,” Daboll stated.
After the Texans took a 14-7 lead, the Giants took over on their very own 23-yard line with 3:43 remaining within the half. They acquired so far as the Houston 13 earlier than Graham Gano kicked a 31-yard discipline objective.
“I feel we general acquired some issues going within the second quarter and executed and moved the ball,” Jones stated. “I used to be proud of how we responded that second quarter.”
The Giants’ different turnovers had been dedicated by reserves, as backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, broad receiver John Jiles and operating again Lorenzo Lingard all misplaced fumbles on consecutive fourth quarter possessions.
“(You) do not give your self a lot of an opportunity while you flip the ball over,” Daboll stated. “Clearly one thing we have to enhance on.”
Regardless of the miscues, the Giants’ massive image appears to be like a lot brighter with Jones having handed his first sport check in additional than 9 months. Daboll hasn’t stated if Jones will play within the preseason finale subsequent week towards the Jets. The common season begins Sept. 8 towards the Minnesota Vikings.
“First sport again after slightly little bit of a layoff,” Daboll stated. “Scrambled for a primary down. Did some good issues, however clearly all of us can do higher. It’s his first sport again and also you’re making an attempt to prepare for a sport that is not far off.”
Jones will probably be sharper as he shakes off the rust. Although upset in regards to the interceptions, he is aware of the largest information is that he’s again on the sector.
“I really feel good bodily, felt actually good and excited to be on the market,” he stated. “Grateful for all of the individuals who have helped me get thus far. All of the medical doctors and trainers and the workers we now have right here who’ve helped me. It was enjoyable to be on the market. Did not begin excellent, like I stated, however we acquired going and I really feel good bodily.”
Which is basically the information of the day.