So far as preseason video games go, this one in Houston for the New York Giants ought to be the closest to the true factor they’ve this summer season.
Daniel Jones will go well with up and take the sector inside NRG Stadium for the primary time on recreation day since he tore his ACL 9 months in the past in Las Vegas. He ought to have all however one of many 5 offensive linemen set to guard him Week 1 towards the Vikings, and his prime 4 broad receivers – Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt and Darius Slayton – ought to all play.
So sure, regardless of an ankle harm that saved him off form earlier this week, Nabers is anticipated to play.
On the defensive aspect of the ball, this ought to be our first probability to see the defensive entrance of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux collectively in uniform and in recreation motion. The trio was held out of the preseason opener towards the Lions.
Count on all the first-team protection to get a minimum of 1 / 4 and possibly longer to check itself towards 2023 Offensive Rookie of the 12 months C.J. Stroud and an explosive Texans’ passing recreation with newcomer Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell and Nico Collins. A brand new-look Giants secondary with Tae Banks and Nick McCloud anticipated at cornerback shall be challenged.
Left guard Jon Runyan (shoulder) will probably be the one projected starter on offense out of the lineup, and he is believed to be near a return.
First half ideas
Daniel Jones made one actually dangerous resolution and a pair dangerous throws.
He additionally performed in his first recreation for the reason that first week of November, and possibly should not be slammed and laughed on the method he’ll be, and already is on social media. Each issues could be true.
No excuses. Jones must play higher. However there may be context. Simply preserve the context in perspective.
Jones completed the primary half finishing 11-of-18 passes for 138 yards, together with a wonderful drop-in-bucket deep completion to Darius Slayton towards the Texans’ reserves.
Horrible begin for Daniel Jones
In regards to the worst resolution Daniel Jones may have made and the snowball is now rolling in the other way.
Jones had good safety within the shadow of the Giants’ personal finish zone after a Dexter Lawrence knockdown of a C.J. Stroud cross pressured a turnover on downs. He held the ball too lengthy, and when a Texans’ defender broke free and charged at Jones ultimately zone, Jones pressured a throw to rookie tight finish Theo Johnson.
Houston security Jalen Pitre learn the play all the method and walked in with a Decide 6 interception.
Sustain with our reside updates from Giants-Texans all through the day right here.
Ideas on the ‘unsettled’ offensive line
I’ve seen the phrase “unsettled” used to explain the state of the Giants’ offensive line, and I am unsure the destructive connotation that comes with that’s well-placed on this case.
For the reason that eve of coaching camp in late July, when the Giants formally determined to put Evan Neal on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) record, this plan was set in movement. Neglect concerning the spring: Jermaine Eluemunor was moved to proper sort out, the place he performed all of final season, and he is been there ever since. Neal’s season is now about getting wholesome and seeing if he can get to a degree the place he can contribute as the subsequent sort out up.
The Giants additionally met with veteran Greg Van Roten two days earlier than camp started, and when he left, crew brass figured Van Roten could be a Big. They needed to work by contract particulars, but additionally, there was a want to verify Aaron Stinnie – who had been with the crew all through the offseason – had the possibility to work within the early a part of camp with the starters. When Van Roten signed, the Giants knew he wanted to ramp as much as recreation pace (and bodily readiness).
On the similar time, John Michael Schmitz tweaked his shoulder in apply, and the sensible transfer was to not put him on the market till he handled the harm and bought again to full power. So Van Roten stepped in at heart, figuring out that he’d finally shift to proper guard when JMS returned to the lineup. The shift wasn’t a difficulty for GVR, contemplating he performed for a similar offensive line coach (Carmen Bricillo) and subsequent to the identical RT (Eluemunor) in Las Vegas final 12 months.
We have talked about all of this with out acknowledgement that Andrew Thomas has been at left sort out all the summer season, taking each first crew rep in apply.
Now that Jon Runyan is nursing a shoulder subject, the Giants pulled again on his workload and have each Stinnie and Van Roten on the guards with JMS within the center. This is not the type of drastic change that, in years previous, would wreck the Giants’ plans.
That is why Saturday’s preseason recreation is so intriguing for the group up entrance. They are going to get an opportunity to indicate how far they’ve come by apply, joint practices and now the video games. And Runyan may very well be again as quickly as this week.
When the season begins, the Giants are going to need this configuration: Thomas-Runyan-JMS-GVR-Eluemunor with Stinnie as the highest guard reserve and Neal because the swing sort out. Perhaps outdated pal Tyre Phillips re-signs to supply reinforcement. Rookie Jake Kubas could also be a developmental prospect, however he could be the fourth choice on the inside.
No person is aware of for sure if the Giants have mounted their offensive line. We can’t begin getting these solutions till Week 1, and even then, it will be a course of. The plan this 12 months appears loads sounder than final 12 months, and it is due to final 12 months’s expertise, and that is why it won’t be as unsettled as it might look.
What time is NY Giants vs. Houston Texans recreation?
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 17
- Time: 1 p.m.
- The place: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas